OUR HISTORY
Formerly known as Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, NWCS was formed in November, 1977 by a group of concerned women led by Dawn Cassell who became the Centre’s first President.
It was originally located at 47 Garfield Road, and operated from 10am to 12pm weekdays and supported by volunteers. With the financial support of a local businessman, the Centre moved to Marketown. In the following March, Riverstone experienced major flooding and the Centre assisted hundreds of families during this period.
In 1980, some funding became available to employ a part time worker to assist in the day to day running of the Centre and the Riverstone Lions Club donated a mini bus for the use of the Centre to transport families to the Baby Health Clinic and for shopping trips for the aged and isolated people.
In 1980, the Centre received a grant to provide services for young people.
The first Coordinator was employed in 1981. The President and Management Committee continued to lobby Blacktown City Council for a neighbourhood centre premises along side the Senior Citizens Centre. These actions resulted in the first centre built by Blacktown City Council and was officially opened as the Sam Lane Community Complex in 1982.
In 1990, the Centre received a grant from the then NSW Department of Community Services to deliver Neighbour Aid services under the Home & Community Care Program (HACC).
In 2011, after applying for numerous grants and lobbying for a Men’s Shed, Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre was successful in receiving funding for a Men’s Shed program that is funded under HACC services to provide social support to men aged over 65 years of age or (then) 45 years with a disability. The Local Dig Men’s Shed and Community Garden opened in September 2012.
In March 2023, after 46 years of serving the local community, Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre announced they would be changing the organisations name to North West Community Services.
The name change reflects the organisation’s vision of increasing capacity and building stronger, more connected communities in the north-western suburbs of Sydney as the area grows and changes.
The new name also reflects the organisation’s plans to expand its range of services and programs to include new NDIS services, mental health and therapeutic programs, enhanced aged care services and enhanced education, training and employment programs.
We have had a wonderful history, and are delighted our journey continues into the future. We build on the strengths of our community and continue providing valuable services. We are committed to working with our community to:
“Build a stronger Community together”
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