The Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation has recently released the Vital Signs report 2021, providing an insightful snapshot of our regional communities as at the 2016 ABS Census. The report was developed with invaluable support from Wyatt Trust and Bendigo Community Bank Port Lincoln.

The report was launched with an official hand over to Member for Flinders, Peter Treloar on 25 February 2022.

Foundation Chairman Garry Downey said, “The Vital Signs report is an important health check for EP, in which we can see strengths, challenges and needs.”

EPCF envisages that this report can support future conversations about areas for action and support funding application to address Eyre Peninsula areas of need. While Eyre Peninsula has a flourishing productive economy, there are pockets and concentrations of disadvantage across our communities. The report will provide highlights and relevant action data for communities to consider.

“We look forward to being involved in the next census analysis project with the Wyatt Trust”.

Of particular interest to our work is the changing demographic of Eyre Peninsula.

Who knew –

– 58% of our EP population is female, and overall we are an older population than SA on average,

– nearly 1 in 3 people do not have internet access,

– or 37% of people volunteer in their community in some way?

The report will be distributed widely to community leaders across Eyre Peninsula and can be viewed and downloaded at www.epcf.com.au

The Foundation will be considering how it can respond directly through its activities or by highlighting issues that we all need to address. The support of Wyatt Trust and Bendigo Community Bank Port Lincoln has been critical in making the Vital Signs report available across the EP.

“Some challenges, like access to education and health services, are common in all of our communities; others are more specific to either larger cities or rural communities”.

“We encourage community leaders, group and clubs, as well as councils, to take a look and think about, discuss and – importantly – act on the needs and opportunities highlighted by the Vital Signs report”, said Mr Downey.

The Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation carefully manages a growing base of donated funds and works with philanthropic and other partners to ensure the best possible value and impact from each of its community projects, regional student advancement and home hospice services on Eyre Peninsula. The Foundation is supported by the invaluable work of the Book Bazaar volunteers and committed administrative staff. Further information about the Foundation can be found at https://www.epcf.com.au

Photo – EPCF Patron Peter Treloar MP, Tony Perks Acting EO West Coast Youth & Community Services, EPCF Director Rob Donaldson & EPCF Patron Tony Irvine.