Community Development Blog - MICHELLE MACLEOD

ABOUT ME:

Hi my name is Michelle Macleod, I am currently working at Killara Youth Support Services as the Administration Officer. Killara is a support service for youth and families who are experincing difficulties and require casemangement or mentors.

I am a proud Indigenous Australian with my family coming from Armidale NSW which makes me a gorgeous Koori Woman.

I am interested in working in the community service area and more importantly in my own communities. The benefits of working in the community are Cooperation between people, empowerment, information overload, community building, increased funding available, using resources.

COMMUNITIES I BELONG TOO:

- Indigenous community,

- Squash/sports

- Government and community services sector

KEY PEOPLE/LEADERS IN MY COMMUNITY:

- Dennis Eggington (CEO Aboriginal Legal Aid)
- Davfid Wirrapunda (Eagles)
- Kate George (Law)
- Community workers Elveena McArthy and Glenys Hansen
- Daryl Oglvie - Aboriginal Visitors Scheme

MAJOR STRENGTHS IN MY COMMUNITY:

- Pride in culture and their land

- Strong tradtional values and traditions

- Strong value of family

- Great networking skills and working together within their communities

MAJOR ISSUES IN MY COMMUNITY:

- Loss of culture and self worth

- Incarcaration rates (adult and juvinille statistics)

- Domestic viloence

- Poverty - education and finanical hardship

- Loss of land and traditions

1. What were your goals in commencing the Study Program?
To learn more about Community Development and working with communities, learn effective tools to use in working with Community groups. One other goal was also to successfully Jcomplete the course To gain knowledge about effectively dealing with communities and groups

2. Which goals did you achieve and which ones still need more work?
I learnt a lot about values and attitudes when working in the community sector and working with a community. You need to be open minded and non judgemental. I feel I would probably need some more work on facilitating a group, the more practice you have the more you will feel confident, as I don’t facilitate a lot of groups I feel I might need more work on this module and practice public speaking, although my work has put me into a 8 week course at Tuart College – speaking clearly and confidently - this will help me when I facilitate a group.

3. Which part of the Study Program did you find the most challenging? Give reasons.
Once I was shown around the online learning I then found this easy to navigate although at the start it was pretty challenging as I am new to on line learning. I will find that the most challenging part of this program will probably be the on line component setting up a webpage.

4. Which part of the Study Program did you find the most interesting? Give reasons.
I have very much enjoyed the case studies and finding solutions to people’s cases. I enjoy reading the cases and finding resources or alternatives to assist people in need. Case studies are good preparation for when you are in the real job. I enjoy helping others and finding resources or alternatives to people problems or issues.