Nibbles at Noranda Family Centre - HIPPY

Posted on: Thu 4 August 2011

MEDIA RELEASE – NIBBLES AT NORANDA

On the Thursday 11^th August, Ngala is hosting “Nibbles at Noranda” an open afternoon with drinks and nibbles at the Noranda Family Centre between 2pm and 5pm.  The aim of the event is to provide the neighbouring community an opportunity to learn about the services and activities available at the centre.

This will be a great family event, where people can look through the whole centre, including the new upgraded playground.  Hosted by Rae Walter, Ngala’s CEO, special guests include the Hon. Luke Simpson, the Federal MP and many of the groups who use the centre or operate nearby will also be there to chat with guests about their programs.  These include:  the Child Care Centre, Child Health Nurse, Schools, the Synagogue, playgroups  and local dance groups.

Ngala's head office is in Kensington with prorams and services operating from many sites across the Perth metropolitan area.  Two of which are available at the Noranda Family Centre, HIPPY Girrawheen - Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters - has operated from the centre since 2009.  The centre has also provided an office base for for Ngala's Mirrabooka Communities for Children Program since 2006, and for the last 10 years has been the venue for weekly Parenting and Play Time sessions and parenting consultations. 

The HIPPY programme is a two-year home-based program for preschool children (aged 3.5 to 5.5 years). Feedback from many HIPPY parents confirms that  it empowers them  to be their children’s first teacher, promotes school readiness and maximizes the chances of a successful early school experience. The program also encourages parents to be involved in school and community life.         

HIPPY runs for 30 weeks each year  (mostly during school terms). A home tutor makes fortnightly home visits to demonstrate activities to parents through role-play. Parents work through activities with their children, spending 10-15 minutes per day, five days a week. At regular group meetings parents discuss progress, provide support and encouragement to each other and take part in fun activities.

The HIPPY program has been operating internationally since 1975, and in Australia since 1998.  The Brotherhood of St Laurence holds the license with HIPPY International to run the program in Australia, and in turn, licences other not-for-profit organisations like Ngala in different communities.

THE Noranda Family Centre is owned by the Department for Communities, and managed by Ngala. The City of Bayswater contributes to the maintenance of the Centre.  It is a very busy centre with great facilities: kitchen, large and small meeting rooms, and fenced outdoor play areas.  Recent upgrades have improved the playgrounds  safety and amenities of the centre.

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