About Us

About The Place

The Place: Charlestown Community Centre is the place where people from all walks of life have access to local and regional services including opportunities to participate in educational, developmental, and social activities.


We are a not-for-profit community facility with a primary purpose of supporting active community development which is enabled through the mechanism of a financially sustainable social enterprise. The Place offers quality venue hire and state of the art facilities that are accessible to the whole community.

The place building

Our Vision, Mission, Values & Goals

Vision

The Place enables active community development through sustainable social enterprise.  

Mission

To welcome and support a diverse community to meet, connect, belong and grow.

Values

Inclusive and Respectful
We welcome all members of the community equally; we respect difference and diversity.
Participatory
We encourage genuine engagement; we actively nurture and support ideas; we promote innovative partnerships.
Integrity
We embrace honesty and reliability; we maintain confidentiality; we are transparent in business and governance.
Financially and Socially Responsible
We maintain a balance between sustainable business practices and social outcomes; we care for our community members and assist them to understand and access services.
Proactive and Responsive
We listen to our community and direct our efforts in innovative and unique ways to best serve the current identified needs.

Goals

The Place: Charlestown Community Centre’s primary goal is to support active Community Development. This is enabled through the mechanism of a Financially Sustainable Social Enterprise. The social enterprise is underpinned by Strong and Effective Governance.

Goal 1: Community Development

Goal 2: Financially Sustainable Social Enterprise

Goal 3: Strong and Effective Governance

The Place Board

The Place Board meet bi-monthly to shape the strategic direction for the centre, monitor it's operation, and ensure there are sufficient resources available to enable it's success.

The Board is comprised of nine members, who are representatives from the community, Lake Macquarie City Council, and The GPT Group.

The Current Board Members are:

Helen Plummer
Chairperson

Executive Manager Project Governance, Lake Macquarie City Council

Ellyse McCallum
Secretary

Community Representative

Cr Jack Antcliff
Board Member

North Ward Councillor, Lake Macquarie City Council

Emmanuela Luka
Board Member

Community Youth Representative

Vacant
Board Member

Community Youth Representative

Cr Christine Buckley
Vice Chairperson

East Ward Councillor, Lake Macquarie City Council

Cr Adam Shultz
Board Member

Mayor, Lake Macquarie City Council

Kate Murphy
Board Member

Centre Manager, The GPT Group Charlestown Square

Sheron Steward
Treasurer

Community Representative

Nick Pidcock
Nick Pidcock
Honorary Solicitor

Community Representative

Staff & Volunteers

The Place staff team currently consists of:
Manager
Programs & Marketing Coordinator
Administration Coordinator
Administration & Venue Assistants (Part Time)
The Place staff are supported by volunteers, who provide valuable assistance in ensuring the efficient operation of the centre.

To enquire about volunteering at The Place, please contact us

Funding

The Place: Charlestown Community Centre is a not for profit organisation with charity status. We generate income through utilising the venue as a social enterprise. As a not-for-profit organisation, all income generated through venue hire directly benefits the community by service support and development, facility maintenance and improvements, and program and event delivery. 

During the 2017/18 financial year The Place has been grateful to receive financial support from Lake Macquarie City Council. This contribution will enable the continued provision of valuable services to the members of our local community, and to engage all sectors of our community and economy in working together to support opportunities to strengthen the social capital of our region.

We continue to seek opportunities to attract partnerships, sponsorship and grants as the Centre develops.

For current fundraising campaigns and information on how to donate, please click here.