Media Coverage
Social Enterprise Hub Launched
Ipswich has been chosen as one of five regional centres to be allocated a social enterprise hub aimed at identifying disadvantaged or isolated residents and helping them get back into the workforce.
Officially launched last month by Social Ventures Australia manager Kevin Robbie, the initiative is designed to create employment for people with a disability or mental illness, migrants, refugees, disadvantaged youth and indigenous Australians.
The Ipswich hub will focus primarily on the long-term unemployed with the help of $150,000 in Federal Government funding and $25,000 from Ipswich City Council.
It will provide training, financial planning, mentoring, management tools and funding to assist in the employment of marginalised people. Community organisations will also be provided with funding to support the training needs of their staff.
Local organisations already on board include BoysTown Ipswich, Changing Landscapes, CityCare Technology, Tivoli Drive-In and Volunteering Ipswich.
Mayor Paul Pisasale and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan were among the guests at the official launch of the Ipswich Social Enterprise Hub. Pictured with them are Sarai Tugga from BoysTown Ipswich and Fred Muys from Tivoli Drive-In.
Message from the Chairperson
Welcome to the fifth edition of the Ipswich Tourism Update e‑newsletter which now makes its way out into cyberspace to well over 250 recipients.
So much is happening around the city, it's hard to know where to begin. Our wonderful Ipswich Advocates took their first group familiarisation tour last month, which included visiting the Brassall Bikeway and Oaks Aspire and enjoying lunch at Colleges Crossing. Their next tour heads to my part of the world - Ipswich Country.
I recently attended the very successful fourth annual Rosewood Rodeo where an estimated crowd of 3000 attended. The event attracted entries from all over rural south east Queensland. Another successful event was the Ipswich Veteran and Vintage Vehicle Club's 35th Anniversary invitation rally that attracted 102 cars, including some from northern New South Wales.
I also had the pleasure of attending a community fundraiser at the newly reopened Tivoli Drive-In. I have to say I was blown away by the number of young families and kids enjoying the facility, complete with picnic hampers, tables and chairs, blankets and pillows! How many drive-ins are left in south east Queensland - can anyone tell me?
Keep an eye out for the 2009 Ipswich Visitors Guide which will be launched at the new-look Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on 26 March.
Cr David Pahlke
Chairperson, Tourism and Libraries Committee