Media Release

Launch of the Community Services Directory

The Directory of Community Services – Central Coast was launched last Thursday morning at the Mingara Club in front of nearly 60 community service providers.

Joe Scicluna, a Freemason and a member of The Rotary Club of the Entrance, is a well known character – having been heavily involved in community services on the Central Coast for many years – identified a need for a current and up-datable Community Services Directory in late 2022.

After pitching the idea to his colleagues at Rotary, and with their help, Joe has been tirelessly collecting the details of the community services providers on the Central Coast.

This directory will support and empower people through their journey no matter what type of adverse life event they are experiencing – bullying, domestic and family violence, elder abuse, homelessness, mental health challenges, poverty, prejudice, etc.

To make the Directory as accessible as possible to all members of the community it was decided that an online and printed version should be produced. The online version can be updated within minutes which means that it should never be out-of-date, and will only contain active services.

Creating awareness of the Directory to the needy members of the community was the next problem to overcome so Joe enlisted the help of the Freemasons on the Central Coast (FotCC) who produced a sticker and flyer to be displayed throughout the community explaining the aims of the directory and how to get it. This includes a QR code with a direct link to the online version.

An estimated 5,000 printed Directories will also be produced and distributed to various agencies in the Central Coast local government area. This printed version will enable counsellors to have easy access to the services but more importantly will allow for Directories to be handed out to those who need them.

Rotarys Past District Governor, Peter Ward said,
“This Directory is a resource for our community providing details of active services on the Coast… It presents available services (such as locating shelter or food), each with contact details and a short description. The intention is to show people that there is free and confidential help available to them.

This Directory should also be of help to service providers in understanding the availability of options they might not be aware of. We are trying to make to it easy to seek suitable help by not having to navigate through complex websites.

Please help us to share this within your organisations and communities…and please contact the club should you know of information which is outdated.”

The Directory can be viewed online or downloaded from the link below:
tinyurl.com/directorycc

Joe spoke of his work and made particular mention of those individuals and organisations which support his endeavours. He also gave a special mention to Darleen Cooper the artist who produced the stunning artwork used for the front of the directory.

Graeme Ingall from Freemasons on the Central Coast spoke of Joe’s enthusiasm and commitment to his project. Graeme urged all organisations present to distribute the stickers and flyers throughout the community and stressed that this step is vital to the success of the initiative. FotCC was also able to support Joe with the cost of production of the stickers.

This last statement was supported by Dr Jenny Newsom, the Central Coast Community Council CEO. Dr Jenny has been an ardent support of Joe’s project which she said, is a necessary piece of information especially for the individual concerned and the organisations listed.