About

Our Story

The Central Coast Community Council (CCCC) has been supporting community service organisations since 1993 as a regional organisation to disseminate information and co-ordinate area responses for service providers/groups on the Central Coast.

Woodport Retirement Village was the location where the Central Coast community, represented by community groups as well as Local, State and Federal government departments, decided that there was a need for a regional body and that it would be given the name of Central Coast Community Council.
On 21 December 1994 the CCCC became an incorporated body. The first funding received was $10,000 through NCOSS in May 1994 which allowed us to employ a worker for 10 hours per week to provide support to the working party.

The New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and the CCCC are parties to an Agreement for Funding for Services – Program – Targeted Early Intervention.  The program scope includes Education and Skills Training, Activities, Information/ Advice/ Referral and Community Sector Coordination.

Central Coast Community Council Annual Report
Central Coast Community Council Strategic Intent

Our Programs and Initiatives

During 2020-21 the Central Coast Community Council (CCCC) commenced the first year of the Targeted Early Intervention (TEI) Program funded by the Department of Communities and Justice.

The TEI Program is focused on providing early help and support to children, young people, families and communities within NSW who are experiencing, or at risk of vulnerability. The objective of the TEI program is to provide targeted services at the point where they can have the most impact, and deliver the best investment for communities and government.

The TEI Program has been extended to 30 June 2025.

The CCCC facilitates and is engaged with Interagency meetings and forums. The Youth, Birth to Five Years, Central Coast Young Parents and Family Interagencies are led and nurtured by the CCCC.

Interagencies are important sources of sharing information and developing professional networks. Collaboration within interagency meetings is “the process of agencies joining together for the purpose of interdependent problem solving that focuses on improving services to our local community …collaboration occurs when people from different organisations produce something through joint effort, resources and decision making, and share ownership of the final product or service.”

We work to prevent inadequacy and inequity in the delivery of services to disadvantaged communities on the Central Coast.

MEET OUR TEAM

We have a highly skilled team whose talents encompass enterprise, governance, social inclusion, human resources, marketing and vast experience working with Government at local, state and federal levels.

Beth Bolte

Beth Bolte

President

Melissa Olsen

Melissa Olsen

Vice President

Lillias Bovell

Lillias Bovell

Treasurer

Veronica Nash

Veronica Nash

Secretary

Emma Bucholtz

Committee Member

Souzan Yates

Committee Member

Nerida Turrise

Committee Member

Dr Jacqueline Larkin

Association Member

Jayden Golfis

Association Member

Dr Penny Newson

Regional Development/ Chief Executive Officer

Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith

Community Engagement Coordinator

The Community Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past, present, and emerging.

The Central Coast Community Council (CCCC) has been supporting community service organisations since 1993 as a regional organisation to disseminate information and co-ordinate area responses for service providers/groups on the Central Coast.

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USEFUL LINKS

Beth Bolte

Beth has lived on the Central Coast most of her life, being involved in community organisations as much as practicable whilst juggling a busy family life, work, and study.

Past working and voluntary roles include: registered nurse and midwife at local hospitals; Nursing tutor at University of Newcastle; local high school teacher (both in the public and private sectors); voluntary literacy tutor, The Glen; TAFE Teacher Consultant (Learning and Mental Health) at Gosford and Ourimbah campuses.

At present Beth is semi-retired, enjoying the freedom to complete a new area of study, an online Certificate III in Business.

Beth feels her years of community commitment, the awareness of local history and issues, and involvement with regional needs of the broader community, can contribute to the Council’s social justice endeavours.

Melissa Olsen

Melissa is a proud and long term resident of the Central Coast. She is a highly capable human resources executive with experience leading numerous high performing HR teams in a variety of industries across Australia and internationally. Melissa has a proven track record in cultural transformation, change management, talent management and employee relations. Melissa has achieved a Masters of Business Administration (Leadership), Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (Leadership), Bachelor or Business (majoring in HR), Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Communications) and is a PROSCI qualified change manager.

Lillias Bovell

Arriving in the Central Coast 15 years ago from WA, Lillias has a strong and committed history of involvement with her local community.

A former elected member of local government – including a term as deputy mayor and chair of council finance – Lillias was also actively involved in her children’s pursuits as they were growing up; P&C President, Group Scout Leader, and junior sport coach.

Professionally, she qualified as a biochemist in the UK and gained a BSc specialising in pollutants and toxicology at Murdoch University.  Lillias is a founding member of the Centre for Excellence in Cleaner Production at Curtin University.  She also completed the Aust Institute of Company Directors course.

Lillias was elected the Australian Delegate to a national industry association World Congress encouraging sustainable solutions to pollution issues worldwide. She held the position for 4 years.

Semi-retired Lillias is currently the Deputy Chair of the Central Coast Local Health District Community Engagement Advisory Board, sits on the Clinical Risk Management Committee, is an active Rotarian and an avid supporter of the local arts.

Having worked in all three levels of government and the private sector Lillias has a clear understanding of how each sector operates and with collaboration where each can contribute to improve outcomes for the Central Coast.  She is passionate about engaging with our Community, including, supporting and encouraging people in managing their own future.

Veronica Nash

Veronica was raised on the Central Coast. She left to study economics and sociology at university, later working in the government sector. She then travelled extensively, finally returning to live on the Central Coast and gaining a law degree. She practiced law for many years on the Central Coast whilst raising her family. She continues to reside on the Coast and has maintained her passion for community and social justice.

Veronica Nash

Emma Bucholtz

Emma Joined Central Coast Community Council in March 2023 as a Board Director and has over 23 years’ experience working across all community service business streams including Early and middle Childhood services, Youth services, Aged Care services, NDIS Disability Services, Gambling counselling, Home Building and Modifications service, Contract management across whole of government service system (Government funding and fee for service) and oversight of community programs. Emma has extensive experience in Government and Non-Government organisations,  holds a Post Graduate Degree in Business Administration and is passionate about providing quality services to all people in community.

Souzan Yates

Souzan Yates is a trainer assessor (vocational education & training) delivering qualifications in Diploma of community services, Leadership and management, Mental Health, Ageing and Disability. She has also participated in delivering Governance skill set and Leadership Management qualifications to different Aboriginal and Torres strait islander communities, in Broom WA, Thursday Island, Cairns QLD, NSW and NT from 2012-2015. Her work/education has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community.

Souzan has lived on the Central Coast since 2011. Throughout her work/life journey she has been committed to human rights, advocacy and social justice issues.

Nerida Turrise

Nerida brings to the board a varied range of experiences spanning multiple sectors and roles. Holding degrees in science, accounting and teaching, her journey has taken her through a dynamic mix of endeavours, including military service, banking, retail, wholesale, vocational education, and high school teaching, alongside active involvement in community and sporting organizations.

This has equipped Nerida with a unique set of skills and insights. From financial acumen gained in banking and accounting to teamwork and resilience cultivated in the ADF, she has a holistic understanding of organizational dynamics and community needs. Her experience in retail and wholesale sectors has honed her customer-centric approach and strategic thinking, while her teaching background underscores her commitment to education and community empowerment.

In Nerida’s roles within community and sporting organizations, she has learned the importance of collaboration, communication, and effective decision-making. Her dedication to service and community development drives her to seek innovative solutions and promote inclusivity and engagement.

She is passionate about leveraging her diverse experiences and skills to contribute meaningfully to the board and the broader Central Coast Community by supporting people and organisations to be able to care for themselves and others, to have excellent relationships and be kind, empathetic, happy and healthy.

DR JACQUELINE LARKIN

Jacqueline is a registered psychologist, human resources consultant and adult educator, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing, and an interest in lifestyle medicine. With a career spanning across a diverse range of public, private and not-for-profit organisations, she brings a wealth of experience in strategic human resource management, business and governance, research, change management and, work health and safety.  Jacqueline previously served on the Board for Volunteering Central Coast and, Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management. She holds a Doctorate (Management), Master of Applied Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology/Education) and, a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. Jacqueline is passionate and committed to serve the diverse needs of her local community.

Jayden

Jayden is a proud Central Coast Youth with a background in Business Administration and working for a not-for-profit in the education sector. He is currently studying Commerce and Security Studies in University and takes pride in his volunteer work and experience. He has served on the Central Coast Council’s Youth 4 Youth Action Team initiative and has continually worked towards representing and supporting other Youth and the Central Coast community as a whole, continuing to provide support as an alumni.

Dr Penny Newson

Penny has lived on the Central Coast most of her life, teaching at TAFE, lecturing at University of Newcastle and being involved in community through various organisations.

Penny’s interests lie in the development of pathways and community infrastructure that can support and facilitate the potential of all community members.

Penny has lectured at University of Newcastle (Psychology), taught at TAFE (both in the disadvantaged and higher education sectors) and has also been a local business owner.

TAFE teaching in the Outreach section at Gosford, Ourimbah and Wyong campuses, as well as running her own not-for-profit, Happiness Habits Inc, has involved working closely with community members.

Penny‘s many years of community involvement along with longstanding local knowledge and connection, can hopefully enhance and advance the organisation’s promotion of community and social justice for all residents of the area.

Rebecca Smith

Rebecca has lived on the Central Coast all of her life. Like many other Central Coast residents, Rebecca spent the majority of her career commuting to Sydney. After working for ASX listed companies in the fields of Marketing, Communications and Branding, Rebecca decided that it was time to work closer to home and gain a greater understanding of the Central Coast community.

Rebecca’s role is to provide marketing/events support and guidance for collaborative sector initiatives. These have included expos, forums and awareness raising events.

Rebecca Smith
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