COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS PODCAST
Latest Episode
In this insightful episode, Nicole Dwyer, CEO of Workskil Australia, provides a comprehensive overview of their initiatives supporting disadvantaged job seekers. The organization’s impact is demonstrated through various successful programs, including their corrections employment initiative that significantly reduced reoffending rates from 60% to 30%.
Nicole discusses the critical challenges faced by job seekers, particularly housing insecurity, with 17% of their caseload identifying as homeless, leading to Work Skill Australia’s $7.6 million investment in affordable housing units. The discussion covers mental health support services, employability skills training, and specialized programs for different demographics, including youth facing 9.5% unemployment rates and women over 55 entering non-traditional roles.
Where to Listen
Be sure to listen via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or the web player, weekly and follow our socials to stay notified as each episode is released.
About the Podcast
The Community Conversations Podcast will feature stories and information on community development efforts, the programs being run by our members and general community interest topics. Across the State of South Australia there are volunteers and staff helping our community members to find connections, access to food, housing and education in an environment that welcomes everyone to their doors. Community Centres are open for anyone and provide place based activities to enrich the lives of our community. We will be interviewing Community Centre members, community connection partners and community stakeholders who will share their experiences, activities and upcoming events.
The Podcast is aimed at highlighting the good work being done to make a difference at the grassroots level to address issues such as loneliness, homelessness, social injustice and how to improve wellbeing of our communities. Be sure to listen every week as we release each episode. The podcast will be easily accessible on our website and can be downloaded on your preferred podcast platforms.
Meet the Host
Kerrie Akkermans
Kerrie Akkermans, CEO of CCSA, is an avid supporter of the community sector. With years of experience as a broadcaster on FIVEaa, Kerrie has a natural ability to connect with guests and delve into their lived experiences and stories. Kerrie’s passion for supporting communities and sharing stories makes for an engaging and insightful listening experience.
Episodes
In this insightful episode, Nicole Dwyer, CEO of Workskil Australia, provides a comprehensive overview of their initiatives supporting disadvantaged job seekers. The organization’s impact is demonstrated through various successful programs, including their corrections employment initiative that significantly reduced reoffending rates from 60% to 30%.
Nicole discusses the critical challenges faced by job seekers, particularly housing insecurity, with 17% of their caseload identifying as homeless, leading to Work Skill Australia’s $7.6 million investment in affordable housing units. The discussion covers mental health support services, employability skills training, and specialized programs for different demographics, including youth facing 9.5% unemployment rates and women over 55 entering non-traditional roles.
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Peter Westoby, Director of Community Praxis Co-op, as he shares his innovative “spirited and soulful” approach to community building. In this thought-provoking episode, Peter challenges traditional perspectives on community development, offering fresh insights on balancing bureaucratic demands with genuine community engagement.
Discover how communities can thrive through active citizenship rather than conventional volunteering, and learn about successful initiatives that have transformed local communities. Peter’s candid discussion about embracing both successes and failures in community work provides valuable lessons for practitioners, students, and anyone interested in creating positive social change.
This week we are joined by India Wallace from Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha Hospice!
India Wallace, Spiritual Executive Officer of Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha Hospice, discusses the importance of addressing death-related taboos and how open conversations can ease fear and anxiety around the topic. She highlights the need for proactive planning, from funeral arrangements to legal matters, to help families navigate difficult times with less stress.
India also talks about the value of compassionate care in managing grief and supporting those nearing the end of life. Her goal is to create more opportunities for people to engage in meaningful discussions about death, life, and the role of hospice in the community. India previews the upcoming Death Festival on October 12, 2024, at Centennial Park. The event seeks to break taboos surrounding death, offering resources on grief, funeral planning, and legal matters
This week we are joined by Katrina Ryan, Voice Specialist and Voice Lecturer at Flinders University!
Katrina Ryan, a voice educator and former jazz vocalist, emphasizes the importance of voice in communication, leadership, and self-expression. Her career transition from performer to educator reflects her passion for teaching voice as a powerful tool. She highlights how women, in particular, feel pressure to lower their voices to sound authoritative and stresses the need for authentic vocal expression. Katrina addresses public speaking fears and offers private sessions and corporate workshops to help individuals strengthen their vocal skills, especially in challenging situations. She also provides lessons at her Kensington studio and community workshops to support people in rediscovering their confidence and voice.
This week we are joined by Jeremy Hurst, Co-founder and CXO of SpacetoCo!
In this podcast, Jeremy Hearst, co-founder of SpacetoCo, discusses how his platform simplifies venue hire for not-for-profits. Inspired by his own challenges in booking local halls, SpacetoCo launched in 2015 and now helps Community Centres and government spaces manage bookings more effectively.
The platform offers tools for compliance, insurance, and a flexible pricing model, including a free tier for smaller venues. SpacetoCo aims to save time for administrators and make venue hire more accessible, affordable, and streamlined, empowering local communities to connect through shared spaces.
This week we are joined by Andrea Petersen, Founder and Director of Not-for-Profit Accounting Specialists (NFPAS)!
Andrea highlights the challenges facing not-for-profits, emphasising the need for adaptable models due to rising living costs, housing issues, and food insecurity. Andrea also discusses NFPAS’s focus on financial management, board education, and governance to support sustainability in the sector.
Andrea stresses balancing innovation with stability, efficient resource use and technology adoption that includes AI for improved operations. We also discuss the importance of informed board decisions, volunteer management and strategic planning to help future-proof not-for-profits. This episode underscores the role of efficient governance and sustainable practices to ensure long-term success for organisations serving community needs.
Contact Us
Send us your feedback, ideas for future episodes or contact our team if you would like to be a guest on the podcast.
info@communitycentressa.asn.au