Magnetic Places Community Cultural Grants Program

Magnetic Places Projects 2012

2012-01-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

Selected from 21 strong applications from residents, artists, community and cultural organisations to activate places across Penrith LGA we are very excited to announce the following 12 projects have been funded,

in Stream 1:

Aweil Women's Cultural Day at St Marys Aweil Community Association in NSW
Community Open Day at Llandilo St Mary and St Marina Church
Justice Citizens Film Voice Project in Kingswood Keith Heggart
Kingswood Park Community Festival Churches of Christ Penrith
Koolyangarra Aboriginal Art Project in Cranebrook Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services
North Penrith Family Fun Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services
Secret Life of Cranebrook Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services
Yarning Around Our Talking Tree North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre

and in Stream 2:

Activating Werrington Community Places Werrington Community Project
Colyton tile Project Diamando Koutsellis
My Suburb, My Community in Kingwood Mandy Schöne Salter
Off the Hook - Local Koori Stories Information and Cultural Exchange

The projects will unfold between now and June 2012 with festivals and launch events planned throughout. Stay tuned for details

Stories of St Marys

2011-05-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

As the sun sets on Thursday 12th May, the St Marys Corner precinct will be all lights and action. Large outdoor screens will be set up on lawn and will project short films and video art produced by local filmmakers. Residents are invited to pop down from dusk and watch the films or interact with the screen and actually select the stories that want to watch from the local area. The films have been linked to locations on an interactive map of St Marys so residents can link the stories back to actual places in their Neighbourhood.

Local residents are being encouraged to bring picnic blankets down to sit on the lawn or mingle with the film makers. Tea, Coffee and warm soup will be available on the night. Parking at the centre is available.

Thursday 12th May, Screening Times 5.30pm 7.30pmSt Marys Corner Precinct, 29 Swanston St St Marys (Corner Great Western Hwy and Mamre Rd) Entry via Collins or Swanston Sts.

The videos produced will be showcased in a public-interactive installation under the evening sky at St Mary’s Corner, where local residents can gather and interact with large-scale projections carrying stories of their neighbourhood.

For More Information Contact:Mark TaylorEducator, CuriousWorksmark@curiousworks.com.au0405 116 183

This project is an intitiave of the Magnetic Places Neighbourhood Renewal Grants Program.

Sustaining the Meadow in Claremont Meadows by SMACD

2011-05-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Sustaining the Meadow project is being coordinated by St Marys Area Community Development Project (SMACD). Its primary aim is to bring the residents of Claremont Meadows together through community based gardening activities at the local community centre. Initially this involves workshops around vegetable gardening in a box, composting and worm-farming. Furthermore, it aims to foster an interest in vegetable gardening amongst children through the incorporation of gardening and arts activities into local kids’ play groups. As the community takes increasing ownership over the project we hope to establish a permanent community vegetable garden in Claremont Meadows.

Photo: Greg Harriden with Nevin Sweeney, a St Clair resident who well seasoned in the art of permaculture.

Corner Interactive by CuriousWorks

2011-04-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Tell your Story of St Marys - Digital Storytelling workshops

CuriousWorks invites residents of St Marys and surrounding suburbs to video storytelling workshops to weave together the stories of St Marys. Join us and learn the skills required to produce high quality digital stories that will build dynamic perceptions of local people and places, past and present. No experience necessary, just a pioneering spirit. The videos produced will be showcased in a public-interactive installation under the evening sky at St Marys Corner, where local residents can gather and interact with large-scale projections carrying stories of their neighbourhood.

Dates:

Workshop Dates: Wed 13th April, 3.30 - 7.30pm, St Marys Corner (Meeting Room 1) Wed 27th April, 3.30 - 7.30pm, St Marys Senior High School Wed 4th May, 3.30 - 7.30pm, St Marys Senior High School Outdoor

Screening Date: Thurs 12th May 5.30pm - 7.30pm St Marys Corner Piazza

Workshops are Free!

Apply now, drop us an email at mark@curiousworks.com.au

Amplify Art by Sunnyfield

2011-04-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

Workshops are already underway for the project Amplify Art - check out these photo's from yesterdays workshop....

Magnetic Places You Tube Clip

2011-04-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Check out this You Tube Clip of Magnetic Places projects from 2009-2010: click on this link

Magnetic Places...funded projects 2010-2011 have been announced!!!!!

2011-04-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

Projects funded in 2010-2011 are as follow:

Corner Interactive by CuriousWorks (St Marys)

Koori Story Exchange by Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE) (Cranebrook)

Amplify Art by Sunnyfield (St Marys)

Sustaining the Meadow by St Marys Area Community Development (SMACD) (Claremont Meadows)

watch this space for more details to come soon.....

Local Government Cultural Awards

2010-05-20T23:19:00.001-07:00

Penrith Press article:
Leading the way with Penrith’s Magnetic Places

"PENRITH is officially a magnetic place with Penrith Council’s Magnetic Places program winning a NSW Local Government and Shires Association award. Mayor Kevin Crameri said the council won the category of Integrated Cultural Policy Implementation at the 2010 Local Government Cultural Awards." see http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/news/story/leading-the-way-with-penrith-s-magnetic-places/

Activating Berkshire Park Hall - workshop updates

2010-05-20T23:04:00.000-07:00

Workshops at Berkshire Park Hall engaging residents and young people, facilitated by artist David Capra.

Berkshire Park BIG DAY OUT!!!!

2010-05-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Magnetic Places wins Local Government Cultural Award!!!!

2010-05-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

Penrith City Council's Magnetic Places won a Local Government Cultural Award in the Integrated Cultural Policy Implementation category on Thursday 29th April 2010.

The 2010 Local Government Cultural Awards were hosted by the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW at Parliament House, Sydney. These prestigious awards recognise the outstanding work undertaken in the areas of cultural policy, planning and programs by NSW councils.

Magnetic Places is a pilot initiative by the Neighbourhood Renewal Program and is recognised as a leader in collaborative placemaking.

It has seeded events and programs which have transformed public spaces into magnetic, creative and meaningful places. Projects have brought public spaces to life, increased pride and belonging, supporting communities to tell their stories and shape the place where they live.

Outstanding creative projects in the 2009 Magnetic Places program include:
· One Move One Voice (St Marys)
· Parkour at our Place (Kingswood Park, Kingswood and Werrington)
· Pathway of Friendship (Oxley Park and Erskine Park)
· Inspire Parklawn Place (North St Marys)
· A Town Fiesta (St Marys)
· The Front Steps (St Clair)
· When We Were Kids (Kingswood Park).

Congratulations all the staff, the artists and communities who contributed to Magnetic Places for achieving this outstanding result!!!!!

For the full story see http://culturalawards2010.lgsa.org.au/projects/17-magnetic-places-communities-making-creative-spaces

The Namatjira Annex Reconciliation Mural (NARM) project update

2010-04-08T23:25:00.001-07:00

The Namatjira Annex Reconciliation Mural (NARM) project is progressing well. We have brought together a group of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people who are keen to get paint on their brushes and with our Aboriginal Artist Brian, we are developing the idea of a design which will tell a story across a series of panels and allow individual people to incorporate their own creative ideas to parts of that story. We will be receiving the mural panels during the school holidays and in the meantime consulting with local Aboriginal Elders and inviting them to come along and guide us through the design process

We are hoping to have the mural ready to launch at the Werrington Festival on the 16th May 2010. If its not completely finished by then we will still celebrate it as a 'work in progress' at the Festival.

We are also planning to have an event (in additional to the Magnetic Places project) as part of NAIDOC Week in July 2010 to celebrate the mural and even more importantly the journey that we have been on, coming together to learn from each other and share our dreams of the past, present and future.

Koori Stories

2010-04-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

Koori Stories workshops are about to start next week!!!!!!!!!!

Dates 12-16th April 2010
10 am - 4pm
Cranebrook Neighbourhood Centre
Hosking Street, Cranebrook

For more information email nerida@spyns.org.au

Queerdom !!!!

2010-04-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the launch for Queerdom Production presenting the Talent Powerhouse....

Date: Friday 23 April 2010 from 7pm - 9pm
Where: St Marys Memorial Hall at St Marys Corner, corner Great Western Highway and Mamre Rd
Contact dbarcoma@hotmail.com

A Touch of Heritage

2010-03-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

Vic Villacorta highlighting possible artworks for ATOH participants.

ATOH Participants proud of their bird carvings on fruits and vegetables with professional mentor Mike Villanueva. This is in preparation for the youth's exhibit on May 15.

Arnis' enthiusiast and mentor Danny Rosales giving lessons to PCFS students and ATOH participants. Watch out for their interesting presentation on May 15 at the St. Marys Corner Community and Cultural Precinct.

Activating Berkshire Park Hall

2010-02-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!

Activating Berkshire Park Hall is a collaborative, community project, which aims to promote Berkshire Park Hall and its immediate surroundings as a Magnetic Place for all of the local community.

The project involves the creation of a functional yet attractive space that can be used by residents of Berkshire Park as a meeting place for all to enjoy. It will be characterized by artwork by local people, complementary to the surrounding area. An intiative of Nepean Migrant Access (NMA).

Namatjira Annex Reconciliation Mural project

2010-02-16T21:31:00.000-08:00

Werrington Community Project Inc, the Aboriginal Arts and Crafts group and other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders are working together to design and create a series of mural panels on the front of the Namatjira Neighbourhood Centre Annex to promote reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, celebrate Aboriginal history, culture and community and mark the Namatjira Annex as a centre as a place where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people meet to learn, teach, work and be together. As part of this project a one hour reconciliation radio program is being broadcast every Thursday from 3-4pm via WOWfm (100.7FM) with the aim that the program be taken over by Aboriginal people and turned into a program for and by Aboriginal people. We are holding a consultation meeting at 2.30pm Wed 24th Feb 2010 to discuss and plan the design and creation stages of this project. We hope to launch the mural at the Werrington Festival on the 16th May 2010 and maybe we will see you there. For information call Robert on 9673 6133.

Koori Stories

2010-02-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

Koori Stories is a digital storytelling project that will train young people from Koori backgrounds in script writing, filmmaking, editing, digital photography and online film preparation. The young people will incorporate text, drawings, photos and audio that tell stories about the place they live, about their school, friends, family and the spaces they use in the Cranebrook and surrounding Penrith areas. At the end of the workshop, all participants will have produced their own "digital story" and be ready to share with their local community about Aboriginal culture and its diversity. This project is an initiative of Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) and SPYNS.

Magnetic Places 2009 - 2010 - new projects underway - watch this space!

2010-02-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

Participants and Penrith City Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Program in the Magnetic Places Best Practice Information Workshop, held on Thursday 11 February 2010, Penrith Library Theatrette.

Projects funded in 2009-2010 are as follow:

Activating Berkshire Park Hall - Nepean Migrant Access
Koori Stories - Information and Cultural Exchange

Namatjira Annex Reconciliation Mural - Werrington Community Project Inc.

Queerdom - Dante Barcoma auspiced by Philippine Australian Community Services Inc. (PACSI)

A Touch of Heritage - Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia Inc (PLCAA)

watch this space for more details to come soon.....

2009 Magnetic Places Postcard Set

2010-01-06T17:20:00.001-08:00

Check out the Magnetic Places Postcard Set!!!!!!

Year in Review: Magnetic Places projects 2009!!!

2010-01-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

To kick off the New Year check out a summary of our Magnetic Places projects from 2009!

Photo from When We Were Kids in Kingswood Park an initiaitve of SPYNS Inc.

Photo from A Town Fiesta in St Marys an initiative by Philippine Language and Cultural Association Australia in partnership with Ilongo Dinagyang Connection

Photo from Pathway of Friendship in Oxley Park and Erskine Park an initiative of Neighbourhood Development Team - Erskine Park Inc.

Photos by Maylei Hunt from Parkour at our Place in Kingswood Park an initiative of Werrington Community Project Inc.

The '9 Lives' team

Photo of One Move One Voice in St Marys by Dante Barcoma, auspiced by Philippine Australian Community Services Incorporated (PACSI)

Photo of Inspire Parklawn Place in North St Marys an initiative of North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre (NSMNC)

Artist Danny Eastwood

ONE MOVE ONE VOICE

2009-02-22T17:34:00.000-08:00

Dario Philips guiding particpants through a
krump hip hop workshop.

One Move One Voice is an electrifying project that will promote and celebrate unity in diversity. It will exhibit fluent communication by young people in their own creative right. This will provide a venue for an emerging and established community to cohesively interact and come together to learn from one other. It aims to target young people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

This venture will provide youngsters the opportunity to incorporate popular culture into their known form of cultural attributes through positive images such as formation of choir or hip hop dancing as creative approaches to assist young people in dealing with issues on migration, community identity and social change that impact their lives in Australia.

It will include youth friendly methods of canvassing interest and discovering talents. A team of people including artists and Community Cultural Development practitioners will provide direction and impart their creative skills, bringing the talents and strengths of young people into a presentation to the public and promises to be deeply inspiring!
Posted by Dante Barcoma.

Parkour at Our Place

2009-02-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

Parkour at Our Place will comprise a series of workshops for young people to learn the art and philosophy of Parkour, a relatively recent development in youth culture which utilises physical skill and agility to creatively overcome obstacles while moving through urban spaces. This physical movement is reflected by the ways in which we can draw on self-awareness and mental agility to overcome non-physical obstacles in life in order to achieve our goals. Participants will be residents of Kingswood, Kingswood Park and Werrington and they will travel to each other's areas as guests for some workshops and host others in their own area. Qualified Parkour practitioners will facilitate the workshops and a record of the various stages of the project will be made using still motion photography and video. A DVD of the project and its activities will be available to participants and our communities. This project is auspiced by Werrington Community Project Inc.
Posted by Robert Reynolds.

A Philippine Cultural Day - A Town Feast

2009-02-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Promises a celebration of Philippine culture in a town feast setting as it engages the community in the design and creation of this cultural event. This will be an all-day event featuring various cultural performances, including a street parade with the well-known Ati-Atihan tribal dance. There will be a display of Filipino arts and crafts as well as stalls that will showcase popular Filipino dishes and products. This exciting treat to the community will be on Saturday, 2 May 2008 at Coachman's Park,St. Marys NSW.

Images: Photograph 1 Norma Thorburn, Secretary and Treasurer of the St. Marys Development Committee sharing her thoughts and giving advice to the PLCAA's Stall and Parade Committee composed of Divina Ibarra, Dodee Leones, Maria Bock and Larry Capco. Photograph 2 Advertising Committee Chairperson Tony Malicdem outlining his plans of promoting the cultural event with Dr. Alexis Leones. Photograph 3:PLCAA Glee Club boosting promotional materials for the Philippine Cultural Day. Photograph 4 PLCAA GLEE CLUB designed a costume for their performance at the Philippine Cultural Day. Members will join the fashion parade with this costume. Photgraphs 5 and 6: The PLCAA Glee Club's expression of love for Philippine folksongs will be shared through their performance at the Philippine Cultural Day. The club members meet weekly for rehearshals blending those tunes and hitting thosemusical notes. A lot of fun and camaraderie make the experience rewarding. Photograph 7: "A show of cheerful forces in the making of Ati-Atihan costumes by the Ilongo Dinagyang Connection headed by Romeo Alenaje. Dr. Alexis Leones having fun with Ofelia Alenaje, Cynthia Japon, Salvador Japon and Romeo Alenaje." (Photo taken by Divina Ibarra)

Posted by Dr. Leones and Divina Ibarra.

The Front Steps

2009-02-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

Autumn Leaf Neighbourhood Centre, St Clair

An exciting project is commencing in the St Clair community where residents, students and workers can convene in the development of a creative and peaceful place at the front of our centre. The community will be able to gravitate to this striking and imaginative spot to settle under newly planted trees and seats with the option to participate in groups or enjoy some peaceful reflection.

The children from St Clair Primary School will participate in story telling in this space, the stories about their experience living in St Clair will translate into a mural to be displayed permanently in the space. St Clair High school students will make their mark with the creation of a meaningful mosaic work on the ground around the seats. Stay posted for more details to come soon!

Posted by Peter Carney, St Clair Youth & Neighbourhood Team.

North St Marys Mural

2009-02-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Mural location: North St Marys - laneway/walkway from Oleander Rd to the shops

The Mural will be an expression of individual community members to communicate what North St Marys means to them through visual expression.

This will be an area for people to walk through knowing the wall is owned by all community members and is actively accessed on a daily basis.

People from all cultures within the community of North St Marys will be approached by holding a public call out for art work with the theme of 'what represents North St Marys to them', following this Danny Eastwood (Visual Artist) will then combine the drawings into a final piece for the Mural.

Throughout the course of 14 weeks the selected individuals will work with Danny to design and collaborate their description for the Mural on the wall. Once a final draft has been decided on and approved, the Mural will be sketch onto the wall and then painted by both the individual and Danny, accentuating the visual effects using his talents and experience.

The whole of the community will then be invited to launch the North St Marys Mural and celebrate in the efforts of the participant’s involved.

At the completion of the project, participants will receive a certificate of participation placing them with a piece of history and connecting them to the community through art and expression.

Posted by Laura Bradburn, North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre (NSMNC).

When We Were Kids

2009-02-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

North Penrith Neighbourhood Centre, Kingswood Park

"An exciting new project for the people who live, play, and work in Kingswood Park. People from all walks of life and cultures are welcome.

Do you remember… collecting tadpoles, building cubby houses, surfing down a grassy hill on cardboard, billy cart races, climbing trees, catching lizards, building bonfires bigger than a two-storey house, the ‘rabbit man’, ice boxes, dragsters, Sunny Boys, playing handball...
What are some of your fondest memories?

Remember the good times, antics, and good-hearted mischief you got up to when you were a kid? What did you and your family celebrate and how? What values and lessons did you learn?

When the stories are put together, the children of Kingswood Park Public School will be asked to draw pictures for the stories. Then we’ll put the stories and drawings together to make up a children’s book..."

Image: Participants of the first 'When We Were Kids' workshop on Tuesday 10th February 2009. John Hockney, the facilitator of the workshops, is second from the right.

posted by Narelle Smith SPYNS.

Magnetic Places 2009 Best Practice Workshop

2009-01-29T22:21:00.000-08:00

On Thursday the 22nd of January 2009 at the St Marys Art and Craft Studio, representatives from each of the 2008/09 Magnetic Places projects participated in a best practice workshop.

In the workshop topics such as how to run an effective project, how to collaborate with artists and communities , how to incorporate good practice Community Cultural Development (CCD) and place making approaches were explored.

These sessions are an opportunity for projects to share their valuable knowledge and approaches. It is a space where CCD and place making practice is being further developed through dynamic discussions and the sharing of creative ideas and information.

We look forward to sharing more information about each of these exciting projects soon! Stay posted for more details!

Magnetic Places 2009......communities making creative spaces

2009-01-29T21:59:00.000-08:00

The Magnetic Places Community Cultural Grants Program is an exciting, dynamic and rapidly growing initiative led by Penrith City Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Program. Since it first piloted in 2007, the initiative has enabled the development of collaborative projects between artists, CCD arts workers and communities. It has creatively engaged and empowered local communities, artists and organisations to transform local meeting places into creative spaces, and become Magnetic Places.

The first year of the funding program has seen the development of 8 innovative and highly successful projects celebrating creativity, diversity, culture and pride in established neighbourhoods across the City. The success of projects in the 2007/08 pilot program has established both fertile ground and best practice examples for the next round of funding to take the Magnetic Places program to its next level.

More recently in the 2008/09 funding round seven promising projects have been funded, these projects are:

One Move One Voice

Parkroar at our Place

Pathway of Friendship

North St Marys Mural

Philippine Cultural Day : A Town Feast

The Front Steps

When We Were Kids

Stay tuned for further updates about these 7 exciting projects currently underway!

Magnetic Places Showcase Event July 2008

2008-08-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

Penrith City Council invites you and your guests to the premiere2007/08 MAGNETIC PLACES Showcase Event 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start Thursday 31st JulyJoan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith.

Penrith City Council’s Magnetic Places Community Cultural Grants Program is an exciting pilot initiative which has seen the development of innovative projects celebrating creativity, diversity, culture and pride which have enlivened, enriched and invigorated community meeting places across the City.
Please join us for an inspiring evening showcasing performances, exhibitions and insights into the journey of 8 highly successful projects in the 2007/2008 program.

FEATURING:

The Talking Tree Project, North St Marys
Llandilo Multicultural Footprints, Llandilo
Kingswood Park Has Talent, Kingswood Park
Isabel – Stage 2, Werrington
100 Years of International Women’s Day Celebrations, St Marys, Werrington, Penrith
Cranebrook Rhythm and Drumming, Cranebrook
Art In The Park – Mainstreaming Marginalised Filipino Australian Artists, St Marys
Families Cre-Art: Celebrating St Marys Area Families and Communities ProjectOxley Park, St Marys

A light supper will be provided. This event is anticipated to conclude by 7pm. To reserve your ticket and to assist us for catering purposes, please telephone (02) 4732 8034 or email rsvp@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au by Friday the 25th of July. Please note: You must reserve tickets to attend the Magnetic Places Showcase Event as numbers are strictly limited.

We hope you can join us for this inspiring event!

Llandilo Multicultural Footprints

2008-06-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

"The Llandilo project sought to provide a common space outside the Llandilo Hall that reflected the cultural heritage of the main rural migrant communities who access the Hall.

Currently the two main groups are the Chinese farmers and the Maltese group. Through consultations with these groups we decided to build a sitting area and two mosaics, one on the floor with 2 Chinese dragons, and one on the wall with a Maltese landscape.

The most rewarding aspect of the process was the manner in which both communities got together through this activity.

Maltese community members told me they were not aware of any Chinese living in the area and through the mosaic activity they got to know each other and some of them were even neighbours!

So this activity has been able to break some of the cultural barriers separating both communities and increase an awareness of their presence and contribution to the area." written by Beatriz Cardona, Nepean Migrant Access, Llandilo Multicultural Footprints.

Magnetic Places Event – A Celebration of 100 Years of International Women’s Day, IWD

2008-06-05T00:38:00.000-07:00

Penrith Womens' Health Centre had a great inaugural Magnetic Places Event – A Celebration of 100 Years of International Women’s Day, IWD.

The overall project involved a series of micro events that were hosted and supported by neighbourhood centres, NC, through out Penrith. Women gathered in their local NC and decided what kind of event/project they would like to develop to celebrate the 100th Anniversary. The results of their projects were then showcased at the big IWD festival on March 8th.

That huge culminating event, held at St. Mary’s Neighbourhood Centre, was a sea of women. Over 230 festie goers attended and between all the laughing and carrying on, there was a whole lot of singing and dancing.

Filipino women from PACSINATA and a huge crowd of Sudanese women showcased their wonderful song and dance as well as their brilliantly coloured costumes. The Penrith Senior’s Choir and then the Penrith Women’s Health Centre choir wowed everyone with their amazing voices. There was even a woman from the audience who spontaneously got up and sang one of her old favourites for the crowd…to thunderous applause. The Older Women’s International Dance group twirled and tapped and then they led the 230 spectators in several ‘chair dances’. It was great fun.

The showcasing of the individual neighbourhood centre projects was interspersed throughout the morning’s programme. There was a beautifully crafted quilt from the Neighbourhood Development Team at Erskine Park. The young women from the Werrington Youth Project created delicate etchings that depicted how they felt about womanhood. St. Clair NC was inspired to develop a colourful, fun banner of handprints that carried messages to woman everywhere. Five Cranebrook NC women bravely modelled their artistically decorated T-shirts that depicted how they felt about being a woman. And Penrith Refuge and Jessie’s Refuge also showcased a multicoloured banner with lots of individual artworks from many of their residents….including the motif, WOMEN ROCK 2008!

A few days before the celebration, the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry hosted an outdoor activity that featured the planting of 100 trees in honour of the 100 years of IWD. That event foreshadowed the culminating activity at the March 8th Celebration. In a further commemoration of the 100 years of IWD, Deputy Mayor Jackie Greenow, unveiled an art installation comprising 100 names of ordinary Penrith women who inspired others with their energy given to community and families. The installation was made up of three separate panels of reflective material that mirrored back the image of the
on looker. The effect was such, that each individual woman viewing the art work, also became a part of the art work. This lovely installation will travel around to the various NC and other public places in recognition of International Women’s Day and the inspiring women of Penrith LGA.

And of course, what would any celebration be, without feasting on tables of wonderful food. Circles of chairs were formed and the chatting and laughing over lunch, brought the Celebration of 100 Years of International Women’s Day, to a memorable close.

Many thanks to Penrith City Council for resourcing the inspired concept of Magnetic Places. It has proved to be a fantastic community development strategy." Maggie McNulty, Penrith Women’s Health Centre

Particpants in the project have said:

"I had the best day. I’ve never been to anything like this. It was wonderful to be able to get out of the house.”
“I’ve never experienced anything like this. It felt so warm & friendly, where all women were accepted without judgment That you could get up and speak or dance or sing and no-one would make fun of you.”
One man said “if it were blokes standing around trying to fill in a gap, they’d look at each other and scratch their head, whereas women get up and sing to each other.”
"I really loved singing in the choir (PWHC)!! Can we please please please keep it on???"
“Women rock!”

"I spoke to one of my women who attended yesterday – she said it was fantastic – she had only planned to pop in for a few minutes to see what it was about – and ended up staying the whole day – she had a good time socializing with women she didn’t know (meaning she felt comfortable coming on her own) and she thought the food was lovely."(Community Worker).

Magnetic Afternoon Tea

2008-05-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

The 'Magnetic Places' afternoon tea was an opportunity for people to share the stories about their great projects. Thanks to everyone for coming, particularly for those that moved things around to be there.
There has been some wonderful projects so far and some more to come with Dante's poster promising a creative 'Art in the Park'.
Thanks everyone.

Cranebrook Rhythm and Drumming Group

2008-05-27T00:55:00.000-07:00

"I feel like a person again"

" it allows me to escape for an hour from the stresses of everyday life"

" I find it meditative.....which is great for me"

Introduction

2008-05-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

The pilot of Penrith City Council’s Magnetic Places Community Cultural Grants Program 2007/08 has seen the development of 8 innovative projects in partnership with local residents, which celebrate culture and pride in established neighbourhoods across the Penrith Local Government Area.

The initiative aims to generate activities, events and programs that encourage and enhance local usage and activation of community meeting places.

In 2007/08 activities and programs with a community cultural, arts or fringe element that enhance local usage and activation of community meeting places, have been encouraged. A range of projects which build on locally identified strengths and issues, that have involvement from local residents, are community led, demonstrate strong partnerships within the community, and utilise creative processes have developed.

The 2007/08 projects are:

1. Kingswood Park Has Talent
2. Llandilo Multicultural Footprints
3. Isabel Stage 2
4. Talking Tree Project
5. 100 Years of International Women’s Day Celebrations
6. Cranebrook Rhythm & Drumming Group
7. Celebrating St Marys Area Families & Community Project
8. Mainstreaming Marginalized Filipino Australian Artists

Please explore this site to learn more about these great projects!