History
LINC ALSTONVILLE
Today
LinC (Love in the name of Christ) is an example of faith in action by the local churches of the Alstonville Plateau.
LinC mobilizes the untapped potential of local Christians to serve the community’s unmet local needs. LinC does not duplicate the work already being done by other agencies.
LinC Alstonville was officially launched on 27 April 1998, and marked its 20th birthday with a Celebration at Alstonville Baptist Church, Wardell Road, Alstonville on Sunday 6 May 2018.
A referral centre operates from Alstonville Baptist Church. The office is manned on Monday and Thursday from 9.30 am to noon (contact 6628 6960) or you can email
vollinca2477@gmail.com Messages can be left when the office is unattended and services are available to residents of Alstonville and surrounding areas.
The LinC Alstonville office co-ordinates over 50 volunteers from local Alstonville churches with the potential for other churches in the area to come on board. Through the office, people in the area needing help are put in contact with volunteers who can assist with needs such as transport for shopping or medical appointments, emergency support, help after hospitalization, or friendship and visitation. Each year many occasions of service are provided by LinC volunteers. Justice, grace and faith motivate our volunteers.
HISTORICAL
Background
In 1994, the results of a survey commissioned by the Alstonville Catholic Church Pastoral Council, identified a range of family needs in the Alstonville/Wollongbar area.
This led to a series of meetings of community representatives to discuss the results. From these discussions, plans to establish and maintain a coordinating network to address community needs evolved, leading to the formation of AFNAG (Alstonville Family Needs Assessment Group) with donations from community groups and the combined churches.
It was agreed that AFNAG would play a facilitation role and organize a directory of family services to be compiled and distributed within the community. Grant applications to fund a coordinator position were unsuccessful, and the process stalled. LinC came to AFNAG’s attention in 1996 – LinC is an existing network originally from the USA and then under World Vision sponsorship. The LinC model suited the AFNAG aims, and further information was sought from LinC National.
Subsequently, AFNAG supported the formation of a LinC affiliate as a means of setting up a networking system whereby volunteers could be linked up to people with needs. 11 months of planning, preparation and training followed until LinC Alstonville was ready to be launched in April 1998. (LinC Alstonville became incorporated in its own right in 2000 when AFNAG ceased to exist).
LINC ALSTONVILLE
History Timeline
- International Year of the Family – September ’93 Alstonville Catholic Church Pastoral Council discussions. Survey of family needs commissioned
- May 1994 Helen Saenger’s Draft Report presented – range of needs identified
- 1994-95 Series of meetings of community representatives to discuss results – plans to establish and maintain a coordinating network to address community needs.
- 1996 Formation of AFNAG (Alstonville Family Needs Assessment Group) with donations from community groups and the combined churches. Public Liability insurance taken out – funds of $350 in bank at 31/01/1996. Agreed AFNAG would play facilitation role and organise a directory of family services to be compiled and distributed within community. Funds required for coordinator position – grant applications unsuccessful. First mention of LinC as a possible structure – an existing network under World Vision sponsorship.
- April 1996 First meeting between AFNAG executive and LinC National Coordinator
- Aug 1996 Support for formation of a LinC affiliate as means of setting up a networking system
- Mar 1997 AFNAG meeting – inaugural meeting of LinC Alstonville Planning Committee
- 1997-1998 Series of planning and training meetings involving LinC National Coordinator. Volunteer recruitment within Alstonville churches.
- Mar 1998 First Referral Centre Supervisor appointed – Chris Johnson
- 27 Apr 1998 Official opening of LinC
- 31 May 1998 Commissioning of LinC volunteers – combined church service at Alstonville Baptist Church
- 29-31 Oct 1999 LinC National Conference Brisbane
- Mar 2000 AFNAG terminated
- 27 Sept 2000 LinC Alstonville Incorporated (as a separate entity)
- 1 June 2008 10 th Birthday Celebration service
- 10 Sept 2009 LinC National visit to Alstonville
- Nov 2010 LinC National moves from East Doncaster to Regent Baptist Church
- 26 Jun 2011 LinC Alstonville Big Volunteer Afternoon (included training day)
- Dec 2011 Manual handling training conducted at SDA Village
- 2011 20 th Anniversary of the commencement of LinC in Australia
- 2012-2015 Donations to Alstonville Public School, St Josephs Primary and Wollongbar Primary for learning and support programs including breakfast program
- 13 Aug 2013 Original constitution of the Association revoked and replaced with new constitution
- 1 Nov 2013 Insurers changed
- 2014 AGM Changes to the constitution in order to comply with the NSW Department of Fair Trading
- 14 Jun 2015 Training Day Anglican Parish Centre (30 people attended)
- 21-22 Nov 15 Barry Campey, Ruth Cook and Meryl Convery attend LinC National Conference in Brisbane
- 29 May 2016 LinC stand at Alstonville Family Festival
- Mar 2017 LinC stand at Alstonville Plaza for seniors’ week
- 2017 LinC Banner procured. All Churches visited during services for a presentation.
- 2018 Request from SDA Care followed up by meeting with Manager Paul Mitchell. LinC will assist with services when requested subject to driver availability
- 6 May 2018 20 th Anniversary of LinC Alstonville.
- Aug 2019 LinC Alstonville AGM
- Mar 2020 LinC operations are suspended due to COVID
- Mar – Nov 2020 All processes reviewed. Office computerised. Police Checks are required.
- 23 Nov 2020 New LinC Alstonville Constitution endorsed by NSW Fair Trading
- 01 Dec 2020 AGM held. A LinC Alstonville Chaplain appointed (Pastor Dada Fiahlo SDA Church)
- 01 Feb 2021 LinC reopened for service. Letters sent to Member Churches.
- 19 Feb 2021 New Brochures collected (fridge magnets ready following week). Board Executive to review volunteer handbook.
- 20 Aug 2023 Constitution Amended and endorsed by AGM. Donations of $3000 made to local flood organisations endorsed at AGM
- 14 Nov 2023 Website Created www.lincalstonville.com.au