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Anti Poverty Week

11-18 October 2009

Marrickville Council will highlight the growing incidence of local, national and global poverty through a number of local activities for Anti Poverty Week 11-18 October 2009.

According to the most recent Census in 2006, almost one quarter of residents in the Marrickville area struggle to make ends meet on low incomes. That means that more than 16,500 residents earn about $250 per week, or roughly the same as the single person’s pension.
Added to the lack of affordable housing available due to the westward migration of people on higher incomes, many people are finding life hard in the inner west.

The 2006 Census data shows that nearly 25% of residents are in receipt of pensioner concession cards or Commonwealth low income health care cards. In specific suburbs such as South Marrickville, Marrickville, Tempe and Sydenham, nearly 30% of the population exist on very low incomes (ABS).

Events at the Library

Activities planned for Anti-Poverty week at the library are as follows:

Preschool storytime (FREE)

  • St Peters/Sydenham Branch: Monday 12 October, 10am and 10.45am
  • Dulwich Hill Branch: Monday 12 October, 11am
  • Stanmore Branch: Tuesday 13 October, 11am
  • Marrickville Library: Wednesday 14 October, 10.30am and 11:30am

Baby Rhyme Time (FREE)

  • Marrickville Library: Monday 12 October, 10.30am
  • Marrickville Library: Thursday 15 October, 10.30am

Introduction to the Internet class (FREE)

  • Marrickville Library: Friday 16 October, 10:00am.
    Please call Marrickville Library on 9335 2173 to secure your place. A bus will be made available to pick up and return residents from their home to attend this class if needed (available only to residents living in the Marrickville Council area).

For locations and contact details of our library branches, please click here.

'Listen Up' Concert

Listen Up concert posterMarrickville Town Hall, Thursday 15 October 2009, 11am - 1pm

FREE concert featuring live music, information packs, and a free sausage sizzle. Everyone welcome to attend.

The following free bus services have also been provided:

  • 10:15 - Newtown Neighbourhood Centre (Opposite Newtown Station); pick up at the back of the centre on 1 Bedford Street
  • 10:25 - Our Place Support Centre - 11 Stanmore Road, Enmore; pick up from car park
  • 10:30 - Crystal Street Op Shop - Cnr of Crystal Street and Frederick St; pick up on Frederick Street

More activities

Council has organised several other activities during the week, including:

  • a book, food and toy drive for local women's refuges;
  • a canned food drive at Council offices to be donated to the community;
  • art therapy for seniors sessions occurring at Seaview Street Hall; and
  • the launch of the No Interest Loans Scheme for local residents.

About Anti Poverty Week

Globally, around 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty, with women representing a staggering 70% of the world's poor.

Anti-Poverty Week was established in Australia as an extension of the United Nations' International Poverty Day, and aims to strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship.

Anti-Poverty Week encourages research, discussion and action to address these problems, including actions by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

There are many ways to get involved and help out in the local community. Organisations such as STARS based at the Canterbury City Community Centre, specialises in recruiting and training volunteers to support not-for-profit organisations throughout Marrickville, Canterbury and Leichhardt. Volunteering can be very rewarding, and is a way of offering something back to the community.

To take part in Anti-Poverty Week activities organised by Marrickville Council contact 9335 2222 for more information.

Related pages

  • Social Planning and Services
    Outlines the range of social planning and social support programs offered by Council to build community capacity and a sense of belonging.
     
  • Affordable Housing
    Provides a range of links and contact details related to affordable housing. Council is currently in the process of developing a comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy.
     
  • Climate Change and Its Social Impacts
    Provides highlights from Marrickville Council's Anti Poverty Week 2007 forum on the effects of climate change on various socio-economic groups and communities.
     
  • Tom Foster Community Care
    Tom Foster Community Care provides services to older people, people with a disability and carers in the Marrickville LGA.
     

Other useful websites