Community Outreach Programmes
"IWBCS" organise events to raise awareness of disadvantaged groups within the Inner West community and to raise money to provide them with financial assistance and other types of practical support working to alleviate poverty and other social injustice within the Inner West community.
These events and programs also have an aim to create awareness of how important community is...that if we all come together in unity what an impact we can have in supporting each other, as family, business and community - to create stronger relationships to make a better place for all to live in the Inner West- building a solid foundation and future for the next generation to come.
Backyard Blessed 2006
On Saturday 13th May 2006, IWBCS worked with a group of volunteers from Christian City Church Balmain to provide practical ‘round the home' assistance to single mums living locally.
The Single Mothers association and Balmain High School selected the Mums who benefited as part of this program. Local children had been asked to explain, in 20 words or less, why their Mum should be chosen. The quality of the entries made the choice extremely difficult.
Volunteers visited the homes of 6 single mums carrying out many difficult jobs including an interior design face lift, spring cleaning and a major backyard overhaul. The day was a huge success! Each Mum was then presented with a gift hamper containing beauty products valued at over $200 the contents of which had been donated by our sponsors.
This event was sponsored and supported by many companies including SP Gardening and Maintenance, Target, Cadbury’s, Balmain Crop Shop, T & G Flowers, C Bon Screen Printer's and BOOM Hair.
Backyard Blessed 2007
On Saturday 12th May, 2007, IWBCS joined Leichhardt ánd Balmain High School and Christian City Church Balmain to repeat this hugely successful event.
Leichhardt High School children were asked to nominate why their mum deserved this special day?
5 much deserved winning Mums were selected...
At 8am on Saturday 12th May 2007 a group of volunteers from Christian City Church Balmain went into the 5 mums homes and gardens achieving some incredible results!
From building a 9M retaining wall with an arrangement of tropical plants, a complete home refurbish and beautiful front garden, to an amazing designed veggie garden, general house spring cleaning to general backyard maintenance.
Mums were overwhelmed...the day was an incredible success we could not be happier with the way it all went from the amazing response we received from local businesses to the enthusiasm from the volunteers...all mums were so very happy, each enjoying their home and backyard make-overs and beautiful flowers and gift pack from Jurlique they each received.
The happiness on their faces words cannot describe...one of the mum's commented
"you just don't hear of such kindness anymore, that these days people are too themselves and they do not like to interact with others within their community - let alone go out of their way to help someone."
Sponsors included: Target, Balmain Crop Shop, Jurlique, Kennards Hire (Rozelle), Australian Native landscapes, Tital resurfacing, CBon printing (lillyfield), T&G Flowers and Beautiful Bathrooms.
Fathers Day Outreach Event 2006
On Saturday 2nd September 15 men from Salvation Army's Montrose House Mens Home in Balmain were treated to a spectacular day at the SCG where they enjoyed a day of sporting fun in their own corporate box followed by a baked dinner at the scrumptious Balmain Leagues Club Brasserie.
Captain Chris from The Salvation Army commented that the day was a great success. Some of these men had never left the suburbs. It was their first time to the city- they had an amazing day!
Supporters Included: Eclipse Hospitality, Balmain Leagues Club
Christmas for Kids
Is a local community outreach program with an aim to:
a) Raise funds to provide food hampers and toys to families and individuals who are in desperate need at Christmas with an aim to defeat poverty and isolation- to give hope to those who have lost hope within the local Inner West Community. Via existing community groups such as The Salvation Army, St Vincents de Paul, local refuges and local community groups.
b) Bring local business and community together, with an aim to create awareness of how important community is...that if we all come together in unity what an impact we can have in supporting each other as family, business and community- creating stronger community relationships.
Christmas for Kids 2006
IWBCS co-ordinated the ‘Christmas for Kids’ community outreach program which provided families within the Inner West with some of the elements of Christmas that many of us take for granted. Each family was given a food hamper containing Christmas goodies in addition to gifts for each member of the family and toys for the children.
IWBCS and the local business community raised funds via the following events:
'Westpac' Inner West Business & Community Day 2006
On Saturday 4th November from 10am to 1pm on Darling Street, Balmain
(outside Woolworths) local business and community came together to raise funds for Christmas for Kids 2006 community out-reach program. 
Sausage Sizzle
Kids fun show bags
Face painting
Balloons
Santa and his village
Children's Christmas photos
Live entertainment “Jelly Bean Jam”
EVERY DOLLAR RAISED WESTPAC MATCHED!!
The day brought local business and community together with the same aim: to help those in need and make our community a better place for all at Christmas time.
This event was sponsored and supported by many companies and organisations including Westpac, Balmain Leagues Club, Leichhardt Market Place, Leichhardt Council, SP Gardening & Maintenance, Infomate Services, Balmain Crop Shop, Target, Allways Printing and Christian City Church Balmain.
The Giant $5000 Toy Raffle
On Sunday 3rd December 2006 at Balmain Leagues Club. Between 2pm and 4pm, over $5000 worth of Toys were raffled. Not only were there exciting prizes to be won but Santa, Tiger and Caramello Koala were there to meet and entertain the kids.
The afternoon was full of fun and enjoyment. However, most importantly, it was an afternoon where families came together to raise money to support families less fortunate than themselves at Christmas.
The Community Christmas Gift Box
Two very supportive businesses within our local community "Balmain Leagues Club" and at Westpac Bank (Balmain) displayed a “Giant Community Christmas Gift Box” on their premises.
Local businesses and members of the community were able to place an un-wrapped gift into their nearest Giant Community Christmas box. All gifts received were distributed to local families of the Inner West as part of the ‘Christmas For Kids’ program.
CFK 2006 Supporters included: Balmain Leagues Club, Westpac, Salvation Army, St Vincents De Paul, Christian City Church Balmain, Balmain Crop Shop, Jelly Bean Jam, SP Gardening & Maintenance, Leichhardt Council, Woolworths, Allways Print, Target, Infomate Services, SsangYong, TORCH, Brad Garlick,
Miracle Mums Make Over Day 2007
"The aim of this community outreach program is to remind us all...that all mums are a Miracle".
Mothers Day 2007 "IWBCS" looked to the local Inner West community asking them to nominate their miracle mum via a local community competition tell us why? “Your mum is a Miracle” as seen advertised pg 20, 17th April 2007 the Inner Western Courier.
The winning 5 Miracle mums were given a much-deserved break from everyday life and honoured for all they do with a day of restoration and luxurious pampering.
On Sunday 6th May at 10am the Miracle Mums Makeover Day began as our Mums assemble with our amazing hair and beauty team at the Balmain Crop Shop and enjoyed a scrumptious cappuccino and light breakfast.
The pampering then started!
Each Mum received a complete new look. First she was given a beautiful new hair-do by Balmain Crop Shop followed by a manicure and pedicure by Heavenly Hands. 
Mums were then taken to Sydney's favourite department store MYER, where mums received a professional makeup session and gift from Benefit San Francisco followed by the ultimate fashion experience from MYERS "professional fashion stylist" Micheline Licha.
Michaline showed our mums what to wear and how to wear it. This amazing experience took place in the privacy of Micheline's private styling rooms where each of our 5 miracle mums left dressed from head to toe in a new MYER outfit valued at $500 completing their new makeover look!
Mums were then driven by Limousine from Australian Corporate Cars to SUMAC restaurant Darling Harbour, where each Mum meet a family member or friend to celebrate their new look at the Miracle Mums Makeover Day Celebration Dinner.
Each mum was introduced and entered on announcement presenting their fabulous new look; each being presented with a Jurlique celebration gift hamper valued at over $200.
To ensure each Mum's memories of this incredible day were captured, Christian City Church Balmain provided Paul Decembre "a professional photographer" who did the most incredible work, following the 5 Mums every step. Taking ‘before and after’ shots and general footage throughout the day.
Each mum will also receive a beautiful Mothers Day gift from Milestones 2 Memories; a photo of their family and a professional photo from the day which will be compiled onto a professionally framed display and given to each Miracle Mum as a gift to remind them that they are a true Miracle and very loved and appreciated by their family and community.
"The day couldn't have been more of a success...apart from existing sponsors local businesses were calling in all throughout the day donating lots of goodies in support of this special day - the day glowed with community spirit
Each mum was transformed from not only on the outside- these 5 mums came alive shining with such joy and confidence, an amazing transformation took place. All mums bonded developing a very special friendship all of which are looking forward to catching up again soon.
"I would like to give a special thank you to the Inner West business community for making this day such a success giving each of these 5 mums a day to always remember - reminding each of them how special they truly are.
...a reminder that all children that they are all winners because each and every one of them have a Miracle Mum -the greatest gift a child could ever wish for". Peta Ibbotson (president IWBCS)
The 5 winners of the IWBCS 2007 Mothers Day community outreach program were: 
Pam Robertson
Margaret Quinn
Sue Said
Judith Treanor
Jenny Kellehar
You can see the wining 5 Miracle Mums "strutting their stuff" along Darling Harbour promenade in their new MYER outfits on their way to celebrate their new look at the MMMD celebration dinner at "SUMAC" restaurant - to celebrate and party the night away showing off their HOT new look!!. (The Inner Western Courier pg 17 on the 22nd May 2007).
Anyone that would like to be involved in the Miracle Mums Makeover day in 2008 please contact us!