Community Resource Centre Subcommittee

At Linkwest, we want to ensure that we develop, implement and evaluate services that are relevant, of high quality, and add value to all our members, no matter their service model.

To demonstrate our commitment in this area, Linkwest has established two subcommittees; one to represent Neighbourhood Centres, and the other, Community Resource Centres. Both these subcommittees report to the Linkwest board.

The purpose of the subcommittees is to provide strategic advice — from a member perspective — about Linkwest’s service provision, including current initiatives and future reform. The subcommittees also play a key role in advising Linkwest on issues, challenges and opportunities in their sector, and the communities that they serve.

 

Boyup Brook CRC - Jodi Nield

Jodi has been employed by the Boyup Brook CRC since 2007 in a variety of roles, and has been the Manager since 2011. She has an excellent working relationship with many CRCs and has provided assistance across various areas to a number of CRCs through her role. Jodi is a strong believer in positive communication and the development of community partnerships and working together to achieve outcomes for the benefit of everyone in her community, as well as across the WA Community Resource Network. Jodi was a member of the AWACRC Board, joining in March 2015.

Denmark CRC - Petra Thompson

Petra first started working within the CRC network in 1999 in Hyden and loved it so much she kept working there until moving to Denmark in 2007. She then joined the Board of the Denmark CRC in 2009 and in March 2017 took on the co-manager role.

Petra finds her bookkeeping background very useful in her role, however much prefers the opportunity to interact with people instead of just figures! In particular, Petra enjoys the many different challenges the Centre presents on a daily basis.

Goomalling CRC - Loretta Johnston

Loretta was born and raised in Goomalling. She headed to Perth to finish her schooling, and from there, gained her first job. After some years working, travelling and renovating her home, she returned to Goomalling and is now the Manager of the Goomalling CRC.

Loretta has great respect for regional volunteers and the contribution they make to their communities.

Loretta decided to join the CRC subcommittee, as she feels it is her time to help the network grow and prosper.

Pingelly CRC - Lee Steel

Lee Steel is the manager of the Pingelly CRC, was an active member of the Linkwest board for a number of years, including as the Chairperson. Lee is passionate about the key role that Linkwest member Centres provide in their local areas, delivering a plethora of grass roots services that meet the unique needs of those who live in their communities.

Lee’s role on the Linkwest Board allowed her to build a solid understanding of the diverse services members deliver. Those that know Lee, will attest to the passion she has for the Linkwest network of member Centres and all this represents across the diverse communities where we all work.

Quairading CRC - Jo Hayes


As a long time CRC Management Committee Chairperson, Jo joined the subcommittee to help guide Linkwest's advocacy and support to the CRC Network.

Jo has been involved with the Quairading CRC Management Committee for over 20 years and believes strongly in the power of community. She was a recipient of the Quairading Citizen of the Year award and has held many and varied positions within local groups and clubs.

Walpole CRC - Cherie Smith

Cherie originates from Birmingham UK but has lived in Australia for the last 20 years. She moved to Walpole a few years ago and started at the Bendigo Bank which was in the CRC building. She then became the Communications Officer which, among other things, involved the production of the Local Business Directory.

Two years later, Cherie was promoted to the General and Finance Manager of the Walpole CRC, which she has found to offer a very productive end product that helps the community she has come to love.

Williams CRC - Hazel Harris

Born and raised in the UK, Hazel moved to Australia in 2007 after spending 10 years in Africa. She started at the Williams CRC in 2009 as a volunteer and became their first trainee. Moving through various roles, she became the Manager in 2017.

Passionate about the community of Williams, Hazel strongly believes in the work that the CRC does for the people of their town. She believes in the CRC network and that their strength is in their numbers. She is looking forward to giving something back to the network that has embraced and assisted her journey so far.

Wyalkatchem CRC - Craig Cooper

After managing the community-run Launceston Online Access Centre (equivalent to CRC's in Tasmania) for six years, Craig witnessed the dismantling of their 28 centre network. He does not wish to see history repeat itself and will do everything in his power to ensure this network remains independent and continues to have community input. Each community is different and requires unique local considerations, therefore each CRC is different and will blossom if it is allowed to be directed by its individual community.

Craig is passionate about assisting CRC Managers and Coordinators, both experienced and new, to help grow the potential of their individual CRC's capacity plus strengthen the network as a whole. He tries to assist as much as possible outside of an official position and has also discovered new and exciting projects from them that he has, or will attempt to, incorporated into the Wyalkatchem CRC.

The network and each CRC within it has so much potential - Craig believes we are still scratching the surface of what we can become individually and as a network.