Opportunities and Successes
Since 2013 the Mid Murray Family Connections Network has been working with families to ensure children enjoy positive wellbeing and emotional maturity. We know that there is inadequate support services in our region and so we have worked to advocate, lobby and innovate to make the lives of parents a little bit easier. As a result, new initiatives and opportunities have developed.
Our work focuses on children from 0 to 8 years and their families. We believe if we can get the ‘early years’ right for children they are set up for success for life. Hence, we have developed a close working relationship with Child and Family Health Services (CaFHS) so that nurses visit each playgroup across the region at least once a term. This has helped the nurses develop solid relationships with families so that parents (and caregivers) know where to go for support if they have an issue.
2020 White Tie Dinner
"Supporting Centacare's domestic violence service to the Mid Murray region. Standing up against family violence."
Spreading the word about standing up to domestic violence in 2020 is as important as ever.
COVID-19 has brought with it unpredictability, and put strain on families everywhere. In November we were able to come together to spread awareness, and to help raise money for Mid Murray domestic violence services, by hosting a White Tie Dinner at the Mannum Community Club.
This marked the 3rd White Tie Dinner, and like the others it was a great success!
We offer our many thanks to everyone who made this possible, and to all those who attended!
If you, or anyone you know is in trouble, seeking help, or needing advice on how to handle
a domestic/family violence situation please call Centacare's Domestic and Family Violence gateway on 1800 800 098
The Alarming Statistics for Children in the Mid Murray
The 2012 results showed that almost half (44%) of our children were vulnerable in one domain, and one in three of our children were vulnerable on two or more domains.
The 2015 data highlighted some minor improvements, with 41% of children identified as developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains and 19% developmentally vulnerable on two or more domains.
The 2018 data showed a vast improvement for Mid Murray Children with a reduction to 26% of children vulnerable on one or more domains and a decrease to 11% of children vulnerable on two or more domains.
This is wonderful news for the Mid Murray Community!
National Families Week 2019
To celebrate National Families Week, Mid Murray Family Connections Network in partnership with Truro Primary School ran a Fantastic Family Fun Day!
The Truro and surrounding communities enjoyed meeting a real live crocodile and other native animals from Wilbur’s Wildlife. Used the smoothie bike to make their own healthy fruit drinks, built their own playground, and created some amazing nature art, to name just a few of the activities on offer!
With over 100 people attending it was a great day to meet and connect with other families while enjoying some interactive outdoor activities.
Mid Murray Family Connections Collective Impact Project
Mid Murray Family Connections Collective Impact Project"It takes a village to raise a child." This lovely African proverb means that it takes an entire community of different people interacting with children in order for them to experience and grow in a safe environment. Raising healthy and emotionally mature children is a shared responsibility - a communal affair - not just the concern of parents or grandparents, but all of the extended family. Uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbours, schools, sporting groups and friends can all be involved and all have a part to play. Mannum Community College continues to be inspired to play a positive role in all children's lives.
Posted by Mannum Community College on Friday, 23 February 2018
"It takes a village to raise a child."
This lovely African proverb means that it takes an entire community of different people interacting with children in order for them to experience and grow in a safe environment.
Raising healthy and emotionally mature children is a shared responsibility - a communal affair - not just the concern of parents or grandparents, but all of the extended family. Uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbours, schools, sporting groups and friends can all be involved and all have a part to play.
Mannum Community College continues to be inspired to play a positive role in all children's lives.
NAPCAN Award Winners 2017
At the Award ceremony 6th September 2017. Adrian Pederick, Member for Hammond; Kelly Kuhn, Deputy Mayor; Joy Marks, Mannum Community College; Robyn Dunstall, Mid Murray Council; Jane Barnett and Kiran King Mid Murray Family Connections.
Since 2012 the MMFC network has worked tirelessly and systematically to ensure that ‘Children in Mid Murray enjoy positive well-being and are emotionally mature’. This hard work has paid off as the percentage of children classified as developmentally vulnerable dropped from 32.4% in 2012 to 18.8% in 2015.
The MMFC network have been awarded the ‘National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect’ Awards (NAPCAN) for South Australia in 2017, with the theme 'Play Your Part'. The MMFC network, is one of two recipients for the award in South Australia, in 2017. Congratulations to our Strategic Leadership Group and all our partners who have been committed to securing positive outcomes for children in the Mid Murray region.
Mid Murray Schools Feature in DECD Videos
Mid Murray Schools have recently featured in four videos created by the Department of Education and Child Development.
The first video shows that both students and the local community benefit from the #WeMatter initiative which has been put in place at the Swan Reach Area School. The second video highlights the positive impact of the mentoring program at Mannum Community College.
The third video showcases Morgan's transition program; helping preschoolers get ready for primary school. The fourth video shows how local children are benefiting from a community Hub at the Cambrai Primary School. Finally, the fifth video gives a glimpse into Palmer Primary's 'feelings station' - Which was set up as a way to help kids build resilience and self-esteem by allowing them to express how they feel and by offering them support.
All four videos show how inclusion in the community, productive outdoor activities and having one on one time with mentors can improve the mental health, resilience and well-being of children.
Watch the videos here:
#WeMatter #ColourRun - Swan Reach Area School
Community Hub at Cambrai Primary School
See also:
This website has been developed by the Network to be an easy access resource for families across the region.
Many thanks to all our partners and to the Mid Murray Council for raising the concerns for children to the community level. Without Council taking the role of ‘backbone’ support the Network would not have had such success. In due course the Network will stand alone and Council will step away.
This is the start of the journey so keep a lookout for updates on new opportunities and successes.
The initial Community Accountability Plan, launched in October 2016, provides a history of the Mid Murray Family Connections work to date. This document forms the framework for the work of the Network now, and in the future.
Community Accountability Plan 2016
Community Accountability Plan 2020-2022
This is an exciting time to get involved in the Network.
Contact the Network now to find out how you can ‘play your part’.
MMFC Updates
Media Release
Community Effort to Change Mid Murray Children's Lives Wins State Recognition
A project that has helped cut the number of developmentally vulnerable children in the Mid
Murray district, from one in three to one in 10 within six years, has won State recognition!
Read the official media release here
MMFC Network Meeting Dates 2021
All meetings run from 12:30PM - 2:00PM and are held at the Mannum Council Office unless otherwise stated
- 25th February 2021
- 27th May 20201
- 26th August 2021
- 25th November 2021