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The Circle of Dreams - a unifying strategy
Western Australia is the only State which directs the profits of lottery games straight to the community. Each time a player purchases a Lotterywest ticket, our community life is enriched through a Lotterywest grant.
Lotterywest strives to build a circle of connections, not only to improve our community life, but also to encourage businesses to invest in their communities and develop sustainable, mutually supportive relationships.
A wonderful example of just such a relationship in the City of Belmont is that between Lotterywest retail outlet, Here’s Luck Lottery Centre and Gowrie Western Australia, a community service organisation.
A neighbourhood treasure
Gowrie WA is dedicated to supporting socially or economically disadvantaged people in the community through a range of programs including childcare, financial counselling, emergency relief, a neighbourhood house, an Indigenous program, and a community settlement program for new Australians. One of its primary roles is to link with a wide range of other support services so that clients can access the most appropriate support for their particular circumstances.
Whilst the Gowrie Administration and Community Services Centre has always operated from Belmont, it also runs a number of other family and community services across the metropolitan area situated in Karawarra, Kewdale, Melville, Leeming, Willagee and Lockeridge. The Gowrie’s Manager–Community Services, Coralie Flatters stressed the importance of having a relationship with the local government authority and other community service organisations, in the area. Most recently their administration centre relocated to a new purpose built Family and Youth Community building in Belmont. The new building, an initiative of the City of Belmont, was constructed with the assistance of a $750,000 grant from Lotterywest.
The Gowrie centre is now accommodated in a facility which reflects its professional standard of services. It now has the necessary equipment required to sustain its service delivery having installed information technology upgrades, phone and security systems and new furniture to provide a comfortable environment for their clients.
“With the opening of the new building we have been able to consolidate our services in one functional purpose built centre. The Gowrie takes a holistic approach and we are now situated to carry out our mission to add value to services and resources in the community,” Ms Flatters says.
Spreading the word
It was at the official opening of the new Gowrie centre that local Lotterywest retailer, Raj Selvendra (Sel) realised the mutual benefits a relationship with the Gowrie could offer to both his business and the Gowrie. His vision was ‘to make a significant contribution to the quality of community life’.and Sel saw an opportunity to connect with the very community supporting his business.
Aware of Lotterywest’s support for The Gowrie, and impressed with the organisation’s vision for their community, Sel approached the Gowrie with an offer to sponsor radio advertisements to increase community awareness.
“I went to the opening and learned about what they were doing for our community. I saw that the organisation has so much potential but many didn’t know about it. So I decided to get the word out!”
The Gowrie jumped at the chance and within weeks two radio advertisements valued at $3500 promoting the support available through the organisation, were being played across the airwaves.
Sel recognised the Gowrie as a vital resource for the well being of the community and had the business acumen to want to be associated. “I want to promote goodwill amongst the community,” he says.
And goodwill is certainly one outcome of Sel’s involvement. Ms Flatters is thrilled by the support the organisation has received from both Lotterywest and Here’s Luck Lottery Centre.
Ms Flatters praises the networking support offered by Sel and Here’s Luck Lottery Centre. “His [Sel’s] energy is amazing! He has so many contacts and so much on the go at once it’s hard to keep up!” says Ms Flatters.
Sel stated that his motto is “to give disadvantaged people a fighting chance”. With a genuine concern for the people of his community, he has been invited to sit on the Gowrie management committee and contributes his time and resources whenever the opportunity arises.
The relationship between Sel and the Gowrie is still in its early stages but through the management committee they are working to extend the services offered by the Gowrie. These include a women’s group; craft; parenting and budgeting courses; their indigenous program, support services for refugees and migrants; certificate courses in childcare; support for individuals and families; and the management of childcare centres.