Media Release: Mission Australia partners with Mount Barker to respond to growing community service needs

A new initiative by Mission Australia, one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisations, will see collaborative efforts to identify and address the growing community service needs in the Mount Barker district.

Mission Australia has appointed Shannon Mesnil as a full-time project officer with a focus on building relationships with community members, groups , businesses and local services to understand the area’s specific needs.

With degrees in education, social sciences and mental health, Mrs Mesnil has worked in the community services sector, both government and NGO, for the past 10 years, and most recently as Mission Australia’s Youth Drug and Alcohol Project Officer at Hindmarsh.

The Outer South Regional Development Project has been developed to support areas in Outer Southern Adelaide (including Mount Barker, Strathalbyn and Victor Harbor) that are predicted to have significant population growth over the coming years.

“The Mount Barker district already delivers a number of successful community services in the region, but the population growth is likely to create challenges as the need for support also grows,” said Mrs Mesnil.

“This project focuses on partnership with existing services in the region so we can learn how Mission Australia may be able to further support them to address community needs.

“Mission Australia has a long history of helping people discover pathways to strong families and happy, healthy children. We also assist with pathways away from homelessness and to successful life skills and employment.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work in partnership with the Mount Barker district to develop innovative community service solutions and create a long-term presence in the region,” she said.

The District Council of Mount Barker said it looks forward to co-operating with Mission Australia in its endeavours to establish a sustainable presence in the community.

“Our district is socially diverse and faces many issues associated with the impending population growth. Mission Australia's Outer South initiative will enable the delivery of important and beneficial community programs,” said Greg Parker, General Manager Council Services of the District Council of Mount Barker.

Media contact: Renae Sullivan - 02 8211 7771 or 0438 980 636