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 called the 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.”

In 2021 the Thought Leaders Group (TLG) was initiated and convened by the CCCC.  The Thoughts Leaders represent key local community sector organisations that promote, provide or carry out activities, facilities or projects for the benefit or welfare of the community or any members who have a particular need by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social or economic circumstances.  The TLG meets regularly as a means of communication between community services, government & sector support organisations.  Ways of collaboration & information sharing are discussed amongst member organisations, local issues are raised, and decisions are made on the best way of advocating for change on identified issues.

The Scope of the TLG includes:

  • Consider recommendations brought forward by group members on funding collaborations and opportunities, media, marketing and communication strategies, programs, services, and events.
  • Make recommendations and enlist community support on issues affecting our community.
  • Decide on actions to be initiated from recommendations brought forward from working groups and committees.
  • Empower the Group, as facilitated by the CCCC, to liaise with sector organisations, build a case for change, and present to funding bodies, politicians and the media.
  • The group will collaborate and invest in its own initiatives.

The TLG’s community issues and needs agenda include:

  • the accommodation crisis
  • domestic and family violence
  • mental health – targeted early intervention children birth to 25 years

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.

David Mylan

David Mylan

President

Beth Bolte

Beth Bolte

Vice President

Melissa Olsen

Melissa Olsen

Committee Member

Kerri Thurlow

Kerri Thurlow

Committee Member

Veronica Nash

Veronica Nash

Secretary

Lillias Bovell Photo (500 x 500) (2)

Lillias Bovell

Treasurer

Lil Gordon Photo 3 (500 × 500 px) (1)

Lil Gordon

Committee Member

Brittani Presland Photo (500 x 500)

Brittani Presland

Committee Member

Dmian O'Connor Photo (1)

Damian O'Connor

Committee Member

Emma Bucholtz Photo (2)

Emma Bucholtz

Committee Member

Dr Penny Newson

Regional Development/ 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

David Mylan

David enjoyed an extensive career with the Australian Public Service to July 2013. His last role was as the Chief Finance Officer, Australian Public Service Commission in Canberra. David is a retired Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants and holds a post graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland. More recently David has completed a Certificate IV in Community Services and a Diploma in Life Coaching and is a member of the International Coaching Federation. David is a Life/Executive Coach and an active volunteer in Rotary and youth mentoring/coaching programs.

As a Central Coast Community Council board member, David brings a passion and enthusiasm to the creation of opportunities for and improved access to services that are delivered to disadvantaged communities on the Central Coast. David is keen to build and yield better connections and outcomes across the community services sector that will improve the quality of wellbeing of residents on the Coast.

David Mylan

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.

Beth’s extensive and broad community involvement has included : P&C President, Ourimbah Public School; P&C Vice-President, Central Coast; Vice President, Ourimbah United Soccer Club; volunteer Wyong Salvation Army; Hon President, Central Coast Campus Friends Inc; general member, Ourimbah Region Residents Association; voluntary literacy tutor, The Glen. These roles require an appreciation of person – centred welfare as well as an awareness of pathways to those community structures needed to support individuals develop and maintain dignity and independence.

Beth has been a registered nurse and midwife at local hospitals; a tutor at University of Newcastle (Nursing Faculty); a local high school teacher (both in the public and private sectors); Itinerant Support Teacher for Integration and Behaviour for the Department of Education.

Beth’s working life at present is as a TAFE teacher consultant at both Gosford and Ourimbah campuses.

As a Central Coast Community Council board member, Beth feels her years of community commitment, the awareness of local history and issues, 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.

Kerri Thurlow

Kerri was appointed to Head of Social Impact & Inclusion for BlueScope in February 2021. She has worked for BlueScope for the last 13 years in various roles including general management, strategy, people, health, safety and environment and organization capability.

In addition to roles based in Australia, Kerri has also lived and worked in ASEAN, with experience across the global footprint.

Having recently returned from living in Singapore, Kerri and her family have relocated to the Central Coast and Kerri is passionate about supporting her local community.

Kerri Thurlow

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

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.

Lil Gordon

Lil Gordon is a proud Ngemba/Ngiyampaa woman from Brewarrina in Northern NSW with more than 30 years’ experience working in and alongside Aboriginal communities.

Lil Gordon a strong, dynamic and accomplished leader. Throughout her career she has worked in high level complex environments requiring resilient and focused leadership. She is the former Head of Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Department of Premier & Cabinet where she has led and influenced change in government to support the social, cultural and economic aspirations of Aboriginal people in NSW, making sure their voices are heard and interests represented. Lil led a highly complex and diverse policy area providing expert and strategic advice to the highest levels of NSW Government about barriers to, and opportunities for, achieving social justice for Aboriginal people and communities in NSW including exceptional leadership in the Aboriginal Affairs Covid response to supporting Aboriginal communities.

Other roles include Director of Partnerships with Aboriginal Affairs, Director of Aboriginal Learning Circle with TAFE NSW, CEO of Barang Regional Alliance and a teacher in high school, Juvenile Justice and Correctional Centres.

Lil has plans to continue her leadership path, grounded in her deep connection to culture and her ancestors. Building relationships of equality and ensuring fair exchange in all interactions by applying modern leadership practices such as a values-based, collaborative, and enquiry-based approach.

Brittani Presland

2023 Young Person of the Year (Winner) – Brittani Presland
Brittani has recent experience working in the financial sector and local not-for-profit organisations. Brittani is a MBA and Master of Finance student and has studied governance at AICD. Brittani serves on a range of community-based boards and committees, contributing sound financial and accounting knowledge to the table. Brittani is a member of the Wyong Neighbourhood board, she is Secretary on the Scouts NSW public fund committee, an assistant treasurer to Cooks Hill lifesaving, on the Newcastle City Council Youth Committee, and lastly on the Gosford Preschool board. Brittani is ambitious, driven and serves her community well in these roles. Brittani brings a youth perspective to the board and a commitment to the local community.

Damian O’Connor

Damian is a MBA qualified Civil Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. Over his 40 year career he has been involved in the design, procurement and construction of infrastructure across a diverse range of industries including road, rail, health, aviation, waste management and mining. In his public sector career Damian was responsible for the procurement and commercial management of a number of major infrastructure projects including a number of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). More recently, Damian is providing consulting and advisory services to government and industry. Damian brings a vast knowledge of infrastructure processes and management to CCCC.

Emma Bucholtz

Emma brings a vast array of skills in community service to the Central Coast Community Council board as Emma has worked in community services on the Central Coast in varied high level positions. She has an exemplary reputation and comprehensive networks in the local community including with members, government, local community service providers. In addition, Emma has the ability to identify key issues and opportunities for Central Coast Community Council and understands the need for appropriate policies to define the parameters within which the organisation should operate. Emma also has the ability to consider and negotiate agreements and contracts and to effectively engage and communicate with all stakeholders.

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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