Disadvantaged and dropping off the edge are two potentially destructive definitions used to assess Maitland’s social wellbeing.
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Take a second now and let that really sink in.
Jesuit Social Services and Catholic Social Services Australia compile the report Dropping off the Edge every seven years as a call-to-arms.
The risk, however, is that negative labels can have lasting and destructive consequences that far outweigh any government assistance they might elicit.
Names of Sydney suburbs like Mt Druitt, Lakemba and Villawood will usually trigger strong reactions.
The names have become labels that prompt a prejudiced reaction. This can be even more difficult for residents of those suburbs to escape than the poverty itself.
It doesn’t matter which suburb you look at; you can find inspirational or upwardly mobile individuals.
They are the people in “disadvantaged” suburbs who help others.
There are members of disadvantaged communities who provide positive examples to young people.
There are men and women willing to give others a hand up as needed.
There’s no better guide to how long labels can stick than with Redfern.
Once the heel of Sydney it has beaten a long road back to wellbeing.
Property values are going up and its new residents are encouraged to spend time with one another, particularly in multi-level dwellings.
Maitland is at its best when our suburbs are diverse in their fabric.
Slap labels on suburbs and risk turning them into slums.
Every suburb needs renewal at some stage and Maitland’s CBD is no different.
A multi-tiered government approach to the CBD’s rejuvenation is already in actionand this has sparked renewed property investment.
Think property values and social wellbeing aren’t related?
Then remember that family homes are the most valuable asset people will ever have the opportunity to own.
The humble family home has the ability to set up generations to come.