College News
Taree - Community Garden
The College is excited to announce that we are taking over the management of the community garden located in the grounds of the PCYC in Taree.
This garden has been long awaited by the green-fingered community in the area, and we are thrilled to be able to bring it to life. However, we need your help to make this project a success. The garden needs lots of TLC, and we are looking for volunteers and donations to help us kick-start this exciting initiative. Whether you're an experienced gardener or have never tried your hand at gardening before, we'd love to have you on board.
This is a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and make a positive impact in your community. By getting involved in this project, you'll be helping to create a beautiful, sustainable garden for the community to enjoy.
We're confident that with the support of the local community, we can create a wonderful transformation and look forward to planting spring crops. So, if you want to be a part of this exciting project and contribute to your community, please call our Taree office on 02 6559 6699.
Join us in this fulfilling and rewarding experience, and let's create something special together!
Farewell - Margaret Kernahan
Camden Haven Community College celebrated Margaret Kernahan’s 26 years of working at the college with a lovely morning tea, gifts, speeches and lunch with some of her treasured students
(see them below photographed with their most recent Certificates).
Margaret has worked as a fully qualified trainer and assessor and coordinator of Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN), including Foundation Skills, Writing classes and more.
Some of our students have been taught by Marg for most of her 26 years at the college and one student from our long-term group even has her daughter now attending.
Margaret started with the college when it was situated at the School of Arts Building in Laurieton.
Camden Haven Community College moved to its own premises in Laurie Street in the year 2000,
where it is today.
Mikaela Peterson, Camden Haven Community College’s Lifestyle coordinator was awarded her
BSB30415 Certificate III in Business Administration on 27 April 2021.
Mikaela has successfully completed her business qualification under a traineeship with the college.
She continues her employment as Lifestyle Program coordinator, both at Laurieton and Taree.
Mikaela was guided by her assessor Karlie Lister and her support person Val Evans;
however mostly it was just hard work, quick learning and an excellent understanding of business administration that resulted in her early completion of this qualification.
Congratulations Mikaela!
Joan Otley,
Camden Haven Community College’s first Life Member,
celebrates her birthday in March 2021.
Joan has supported the college for many years as volunteer Committee member, President (for ten years), Deputy President and now Life Member. She is also a keen student and discussion group member.
Our exceptional nonagenarian!
Dakota Bonney awarded Certificate III in Business Administration
Camden Haven Community College
celebrates over 30 years of ‘Lifelong Learning’
for our community.
Camden Haven Community College will be 40 next year! As a provider of education to our community the college began at a meeting of Kendall Central School Parents and Citizen’s Association (P&C) in 1981 when the Principal of Kendall Central School appealed to the P&C for interested persons to create an adult education program because the evening classes he had organised (in Asian cookery and wood-work) were so popular. Mavis Barnes and Vicki Pill volunteered to take the project on, on behalf of the community, and it grew rapidly using the School library and Kendall Community Centre as venues. Weekly classes included Handcrafts, Local History, Yoga classes conducted by a Buddhist nun from the Taree ashram, Pottery, and a discussion group. There were also special guests to conduct Saturday afternoon lectures in the School library (including Bill Mollison, renowned for developing the theory and practice of permaculture.).
Camden Haven Community College became a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in 1977 and now offers a diverse range of quality vocational and lifestyle learning opportunities. The college is not-for –profit and community owned. Courses are provided for the communities of Camden Haven and Manning Valley. Training is available at the college in Laurieton, various venues in the Camden Haven, at the Taree campus in Manning Street and venues in the Manning Valley.
Camden Haven Community College delivers training and assessment including full Certificates, Skill Sets and Units of Competency from nationally recognised Training Packages. The college accredited training specializes in individual Care, including Aged Care, Disability and Home and Community Care. Other vocational areas include Business, Foundation Skills, First Aid & CPR and Hospitality. The college Lifestyle Program includes a whole range of exciting options such as technology, cooking, Tech Savvy Seniors, Mental Health First Aid, yoga, golf, guitar, drumming, languages, dancing, building/project management, genealogy, photography, all sorts of computer, internet, phone, app, device training and more.
Camden Haven Community College has over 1000 students per year in the Camden Haven and Manning Valley communities.
Camden Haven Community College is an Incorporated Association with a volunteer governing Committee. The college is proud to maintain experienced, skilled and supportive Committee members. Some of the amazing and long-standing Presidents include Mavis Barnes, Sandy McClimont, Joan Otley and Tony Carroll (current). Joan Otley is the college’s first life member, following ten years as president and more as Committee member and college participant.
The college has a small permanent administration staff, and many excellent trainers. Most students are wanting to enhance their skills and training to gain employment, comply with workplace requirements, extend their current employment, go on to further training, for professional development, to embrace learning or just enjoy the social and learning fun.
Camden Haven Community College is the Trust Manager of the Camden Head Pilot Station, managing the facility on behalf of the Department of Lands. It is a community, educational, heritage listed facility with accommodation available, supported by volunteer maintenance workers. It occupies the magnificent Crown Land beachfront site overlooking Pilot and Wash House Beaches and the Camden Haven River Inlet, and adjoining Kattang Nature Reserve.
Camden Haven Community College has a community garden by the river, kept in a wonderful productive green condition by volunteer workers who share the produce with the community.
Camden Haven Community College contributes to the education and wellbeing of individuals in our and community through the creation of opportunities for lifelong learning and vocational education.