Learning Communities Catalyst

1. Title: What is/was the initiative?

Mandurah supporting growth through the Learning Community framework.

2. Where is/was it?

City of Mandurah, Western Australia

3. When was it?

Ongoing project

4. An update on some activity

Growth and activity continue to be hallmarks of community life in Mandurah, Australia's fastest growing regional city. The Learning Community concept is providing a valuable network of stakeholders, fostering collaboration and innovation.

As the City of Mandurah is in transition, various organisations in the community want to make contact with each other, to develop programs and work together to meet the complex needs of the community. The City of Mandurah acknowledges it has a leadership role in this process and the Learning Community concept is an ideal framework to use.

The Learning Community concept is informal and focuses on networking opportunities. A group of people from the community, schools, the tertiary sector and Local Government meet to share information and ideas on how to enhance learning for the whole community.

Some of the initiatives over the past 12 months have been:

• Information on Community Groups

• The City of Mandurah is gathering information on hundreds of community groups, which will be available on the internet in July this year. By enhancing access to information, participation in lifelong learning can increase.  

• City sponsors Chair of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation at Murdoch University
  The Peel Region's journey into becoming a national centre for business excellence is taking another step forward with the expected appointment of a professor in entrepreneurship and business innovation at Murdoch University's new Peel Campus. The appointment is expected to be announced shortly, with the successful applicant taking up the role in August.
• E2C innovation
  In May 2005 Mandurah Senior College opened its E2C (Education to Community) centre. Located near the centre of town, this shopfront training facility gives students the option of learning through an electronic learning centre rather than in the formality of a school campus. Visit their website at www.e2c.net.au to watch progress.
• Beacon bring Schools and Community Together
  In March this year Mandurah had a visit from Scott Harris from the Beacon Foundation in Tasmania. He emphasised the need for youth unemployment to be recognised and dealt with by the whole community. 'No Dole' projects are now being run in two Mandurah high schools with the aim of supporting young people in their commitment to continue education, finding training or job opportunities rather than the dole.
• Library runs 'Choices-Finding My Place' program
  Mandurah Library has taken up a grant to run a ten week program for 12 young people who are at risk of leaving school early and not getting into training or work. A series of weekly events consisting of talks, visits and activities will inform and stimulate the participants to think about their future and the 'Choices' they face.