Angela Van Dyke
reforms come in mid-year . For families the centre provides playgroups for pre-school children and tutoring programs . Youth Connect has helped young people get training and employment as well as helping people make claims for emergency relief or with social services .
The support and dedication that Angela has shown the neighbourhood is the reason she was nominated for the Women ’ s Day award that she was given in March . Her brand new award , which was sitting in the reception area of the community centre when I visited , was not on display for Angela , but to remind all the women who go to the centre on what we have all achieved .
I asked her how it felt to be nominated and receive such a high profile award .
“ This award was important as I spend my days advocating for this community and city and am always looking to do things that can benefit all of us . I know the person who nominated me , and when they told me they had done it , I asked why !” she smiled .
“ So many people have reached out and said it ’ s so deserved and it ’ s validating to know the work we do here is being noticed . I ’ ve been around for a long time , I don ’ t do what I do for awards , so I put the award there for everyone to see as I feel I have accepted it on behalf of all women , not just myself .”
Angela is quite happy to say she is a feminist ; she acknowledges the amazing work the women before us have done to get us to this point . She is also aware there is so much more required to bring true equality to women and said so during her acceptance speech .
“ I was asked to say a few words when I was given the award . I thanked council and expressed that I was humbled and that I was sharing it with all women in the community . I also encouraged all the men and women in our community to stand up for equitable practices and say it ’ s time for change . International Women ’ s Day has become a celebratory day , but it ’ s also reminder that the fight isn ’ t over .”
One thing Angela is keen to ask of the community that she works so hard to lift up is that we look for ways that we can help each other . She believes that getting to know the people in our neighbourhoods is beneficial to everyone , that by forming our own communities we can support each other when we need it and by doing so , we help ourselves .
There are a number of ways you can help your community ; you can support the North West Community Centre with a financial donation as they are a registered charity . If financial support is difficult , you can consider volunteering with an organisation , which in turn allows them to offer more to the people they are helping .
If you want to know more about what services North West Community Services has to offer you can go to their Facebook page or their website www . nwcs . org . au .
Angela in front of the wall of achievement in her office , highlighting all the successes of her team .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 37 // APRIL 2024 7