Child Safety and Wellbeing at DNC

As an outcome of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, new Victorian regulations require organisations engaging with young people and children to comply with new standards.  This includes sporting clubs, art associations, and community organisations, including for example our Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre (DNC).  These organisations are now responsible for implementation of the Child Safety Standards, which were introduced in June 2022.   The Department of Fairness, Families and Housing has mandated that all neighbourhood houses in Victoria must be Child Safety compliant.

Young people and children are valued participants in DNC.   They bring insight and innovation.   DNC recognises the Victorian Child Safe Standards and has incorporated practices and systems into DNC to ensure compliance with the standards.    DNC recognises that young people and children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families, are vital members of our community and have a fundamental right to be safe, happy, and empowered, including providing environments that are culturally safe.

Over 948 school aged children live in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.

Members of the DNC Committee of Management, staff and volunteers are committed to providing programs to support the young people and children in our community to thrive and thereby we are ensuring child safety in our establishment by undertaking relevant training and by updating our policies and procedures to reflect that commitment.

By establishing and enforcing robust child safety policies, the DNC not only meets legal requirements but also demonstrates our commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment.

During and after the COVID 19 period our programs for young people and children have been curtailed.  However, we are now preparing for the return of these programs in the near future.  We are therefore encouraging suitably qualified volunteers to join our team to work with us to co-design and deliver new, updated and appropriate programs for young people and children for the Daylesford, Hepburn and surrounds communities.

For more information about our approach to child safety and your interest in working with us as a volunteer to deliver these programs, contact our Manager on 5348 3569.

 

DNC Joke of the Week

A cowboy rode into a windy, dusty, tumble weed strewn Nevada town, reined up outside the saloon, went in and ordered a double bourbon.

The saloon was full of locals. But what this cowboy did not know was that this town was a haven for thieves and rogues.

Having finished his drink he exited only to find that his horse had been stolen.

He returned inside to the bar and ordered another double bourbon. With the speed of greased lightning he drew his gun and sent it spinning into the air above his head, caught it effortlessly without looking up and fired a single shot into the ceiling.

The saloon fell deathly silent. He announced to all and sundry that if his horse was not returned in the next three minutes then he would have to do what he had done down there in Texas.

He added, “I really do not want to do what I had to do down there in Texas, no sir, I do not want to have to do that, no sir, I do not!”

He finished his drink; checked his gun; then his time piece. The three minutes were up. He exited again and there was his horse back where he had left it.

He mounted up, turned and started to move off when the bartender came running up to him and asked, “Hey partner tell me, tell me, what was it that you had to do down there in Texas?  What was it that you didn’t want to have to do here?  What was it?  Tell me please.”

The cowboy stared at him with a long withering look and then said, “I had to walk home!”

 

[If you’ve got a better joke, (and doesn’t everyone??) send it to  admin@dncentre.org.au  and we’ll publish it. (Remember, this is a family publication! ?).  We’ll even include your name if you wish – or you can protect your anonymity!]