Expression of Interest – anchor organisation

The City of Canterbury Bankstown is seeking an anchor organisation to operate a newly established First Nations Cultural Hub and Resource Centre (The Hub) located in Bankstown CBD on a two-year trial period. The anchor organisation will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and sustainability of The Hub as well as a particular focus on providing a space for the community to come together and maintain and promote the First Nations Culture.

An information session for interested organisations will be held Wednesday 20 September, 2pm at Bankstown Senior Citizens’ Centre, West Terrace, Bankstown.

Located on the southern side of Bankstown CBD and less than five minute walk from Bankstown Train Station, the CBCity First Nations Cultural Hub and Resource Centre will be located within Bankstown Senior Citizens’ Centre, 7 West Terrace, Bankstown.

The Hub’s furnished space includes two offices, commercial kitchen, two large halls, games area, break out area, toilets and a storage room. Other external users can book the separate community hall, which is not part of The Hub’s allocated area.

The anchor organisation will have two dedicated car parking spaces, allocated in the public car park at the rear of the building.

The objective of The Hub is to achieve positive outcomes for the local Canterbury-Bankstown First Nations and non-indigenous community. The proposed outcomes of The Hub include, but are not limited to, the following community development activities:

• Cultural meeting space i.e. Elders groups, First Nations Youth Group, etc;
• Cultural awareness training and activities i.e. weaving, bush tucker;
• Community services;
• Educational sessions through sharing culture and Q&A sessions;
• Art sessions;
• Movie screenings;
• Social activities;
• Information on service providers, particularly for First Nations community;
• Drop in sessions such as social gatherings and homework help; and
• Education and health support activities.

Through this, Council sees The Hub successfully achieving:

• Increased levels of positive engagement and interaction within the First Nations community as well as with the non-Indigenous community;
• Increased participation of First Nations community members to increase understanding, foster and maintain their cultural heritage;
• Increased First Nations cultural education and awareness amongst the community;
• Increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of the First Nations culture; and
• Financial and operational sustainability.

The anchor organisation will:

• Be located at The Hub and have access to an office space for a minimum of two days per week (while the space will be free of charge, the organisation will pay a daily contribution towards utilities, currently set at $9.42/day);
• Be responsible for managing all bookings at The Hub, including arranging booking agreements, obtaining relevant insurances and providing appropriate access to the facility;
• Ensure there is a transparent booking process;
• Apply for relevant funding, in partnership with The Hub’s Steering Committee to resource The Hub for day-to-day needs as well as the facilitation of relevant programs to operate out of The Hub;
• Capture data from bookings for the evaluation of The Hub’s trial period;
• Submitting a quarterly Operational Plan, budget and financial report for the Steering Committee’s endorsement, reported back to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee;
• Setting any user fees and charges in liaison with the Steering Committee and its endorsement;
• Be responsible for costs associated with operating the Hub including, but not limited to:
• Staffing;
• Activity/program costs;
• Telephone and WIFI; as well as
• Contribution towards The Hub overheads including
• Cleaning;
• Utilities; and
• Minor maintenance.
• Liaise with user groups of The Hub with a view to continuously improving the operation.

Applicants must:

• Be an incorporated, non-profit, non-government-based organisation or contributing to a registered charity.

Desirable applicants are:

• An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander non-profit organisation; or
• An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).

 Applicants must meet eligibility criteria above;

• The below supporting material must be submitted with your application;
• Public Liability Insurance of $20M; and
• Minutes of last Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• All questions in the expression of interest form below are to be completed.

1. Expressions of Interest will be assessed by Council in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee. Where conflicts arise, members of the committee will be required to declare their conflict of interest.
2. Council endeavours to proceed with the establishment of The Hub in a timely manner therefore will be reviewing expressions of interest as quickly as practicable.
3. The decision will be endorsed by Council at the first Council meeting following the October Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
4. Organisations will be advised of the outcome within one (1) week of Council’s decision.