Windale NSW
Windale, was originally established as a Department of Housing suburb. In 1999, the Jesuit Social Services rated Windale as the most socially disadvantaged community in NSW.

Community Action:
A comprehensive three-year community renewal process was developed to improve the situation.

. 'School as Community' Centre established and became a blueprint for NSW Government
. Joint exercise and social groups for isolated mothers which grew to include parenting classes
. Staged introduction of pre-school aged children to schools
. Aboriginal health service and community nursing
. Academic extension for talented youngsters
. Locally created scholarships
. Fathers became involved in the life of the school and increased involvement by parents in school life generally
. Shop Smart nutrition program
. Local Council improved street lighting for safe travel at night, and built a Windale 'welcome' landmark building community pride
. Sponsorship of school and sporting needs by local business.

1999 - ranked worst 1 per cent of NSW postcodes for child abuse and neglect
2003 - ranked best 25 per cent

Since the funding finished, agencies within the community have continued to work to create child friendly initiatives, and formed WICA: the Windale Interagency Community Alliance. WICA comprises: YNOT (Youth Network Opportunity Transfer) Aboriginal Education Assessment Officer Volunteer, Windale Primary School; ALCAZAR, Parents, retired teacher, rep from Lake Macquarie Council, Creative Times, Windale Community Group, East Lakes Refuge, Dept Housing, and NAPCAN.

Windale Community Action Network
In February 2007, WICA hosted a Child Friendly Community planning day which attracted representatives from other organisations in the child frocussed sector, other community groups, and a great turn up of people of the wider community. The meeting was facilitated by NAPCAN staff, and from it the Windale Child Friendly Community Action Network was officially born.

Together with an endorsement of existing child friendly initiatives which include the annual Windale Festival, and the Scrubby Creek Project, four new initiatives were committed to for 2007:

Each initiative has its own sub-committee, a representative of which will attend the monthly WICA meetings. WICA will continue to be the point of contact and support for the Community Action network.

A small section of the line up for the (free) sausage sizzle at a Family Fun day in April 07