September 2, 2010
The Friends of Callan Park have worked with Sydney College of the Arts to develop 'Faces in the Park', a one day outdoor poster exhibition telling stories of attachment to Callan Park. Contributors include former patients, parents, staff, dog walkiers, chook owners and local children who express in the simplest terms their delight in the freedom and magic of the site.
Part of History Week 2010, the free outdoor exhibition will stretch across the landscape from the main gates of Callan Park to Broughton Hall on Sunday 12 September. Guided walking tours depart the Writers Centre between 11am and 2pm and a circulating bus tour will operate between 11am and 3pm. Enquiries call Carole Allen 9560 9263
September 2, 2010
This week sees an Arts & Cultural workshop at the Sydney College of the Arts in seminar room 1 on Thursday 9 September from 4.00pm. Facilitated by Marla Guppy, this workshop will consider the creative potential of Callan Park and the way that arts and culture can support physical and mental wellbeing. Light refreshments will be provided so please RSVP by 7th September to Annalene Lourenco or Danielle King at Leichhardt Council on 9367 9285 or by email Leichhardt@lmc.nsw.gov.au.
August 29, 2010
Workshop 6 on Saturday 28 August created an opportunity to form natural 'communities of interest' to discuss the sub-principles of the Master Plan and demonstrate how particular interests could contribute to a driving vision of Callan Park as a 'wellness sanctuary'. More than 60 participants self-selected an interest, making for lively table presentations about Bushcare, Sustainability, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Dogs, Community Gardening, Transport, City Farm, Disability and Services for Older People, and Open Space & Walking.
The workshop was a vivid demonstration of the synergies that can be created through the Master Plan. Within every large community there are many smaller 'communities of interest' with individuals goals and needs. The format of this workshop enabled participants to explain and to understand where these goals and needs interlock. There is strong support for a Master Plan that can deliver the many dimensions of mental and physical wellness envisaged by the Callan Park (Special Provisions) Act 2002.
August 25, 2010
The Mental Health Workshop on Wednesday 25 August was a significant milestone for the Callan Park Master Plan. 43 attendees (including representatives of key mental health consumer organisations) heard Professor Vaughan Carr report how he had incorporated community submissions into a potential suite of mental health services for Callan Park.
The five areas of focus for mental health services on Callan Park are:
- Health & Lifestyle
- Vocation & Social
- Residential
- Information & Support
- Education, Training & Research
The workshop endorsed the Master Plans team's proposal to develop a new Project Principle for Mental Health based on the 3 recurring themes of the table discussions: Wellness, Community and Recovery. Of the 7 tables, 6 were in broad agreement and support of the five areas of focus. The role of consumers, carers and mental health practitioners in managing the delivery of mental health services was a strong focus for the night’s discussions. There was also considerable debate about role and scope of research, and about the extent and style of any residential care 'beds' at Callan Park. But for the first time, the community has endorsed a guiding framework within which these debates can occur. Callan Park, with a focus on Wellness, Community and Recovery, could become a new world-leading model of mental health care.
