Chances for Children
Analysis of socioeconomic indicators of North West Victoria and South West New South Wales and recipient and community perceptions of the program
by Bob Birrell and Daniel Edwards, Centre for Population and Urban Research, Monash University, for Chances for Children and Mallee Family Care, June 2006
This report was prepared by the Centre for Population and Urban Research for the Chances for Children charity that operates in the north-west region of Victoria and south-west New South Wales.
The first section of the report uses a number of secondary databases to identify key characteristics of the population in the area served by the charity with particular emphasis on educational opportunities and attainment. It also investigates the impact of demographic change and the recent transformation of the industrial and occupational structure of the region. The second section includes an evaluation of the Chances for Children program using information from recipient surveys and interviews with key community stakeholders in the area.
The report concludes that the region served by Chances for Children is particularly disadvantaged, especially in relation to educational attainment and low educational attendance. Population projections for the area show a significant movement of people from rural and remote areas into the main population centres in the region. In particular, a considerable growth in the population of Mildura is projected over the coming decades.
The evaluation indicated that many of the issues identified in the secondary data analysis were being addressed by the charity and that there was overwhelming support in the community for their work. The report urges groups such as Chances for Children to continue to monitor the changing demographic, industrial and socioeconomic climate of the region and to tailor local programs to the individual needs of people living in the region.
Availability
For a copy of the report please contact:
Chances for Children/Mallee Family Care
94 Lemon Avenue
Mildura VIC 3500
Phone: (03) 5021 7480
email: chances4children@malleefamilycare.com.au
Website: www.chancesforchildren.com.au