Northcliffe Community Resource Centre
Technology, information, education, creativity...
Helping make Northcliffe a home for new business, community and social enterprises.
About Us
Northcliffe Community Resource Centre (NCRC) is a community managed not-for-profit organisation located in the heart of Northcliffe and part of the friendly network of regional and remote centres which are the Western Australian Community Resource Network.
We can help you connect to your community and help you achieve your aims. The equipment and one-on-one support available at the NCRC can help you apply for a job, start a podcast, build a business, make a birthday card, update your mobile phone and lots more.
As well as one-on-one support our organised activities include regular free film screenings at our Beanbag cinema, Southern Forests Chess Club, annual photo competitions, Halloween parties, workshops and information sessions.
The centre provides a comfy shared computer room, The Common Room, The Meeting Space, and a mini broadcasting and videoconferencing studio which doubles as an office for hire. Come in and get support to use our computers and other office equipment, to print your materials, work on your projects, contact Centrelink or Medicare, receive help with your digital technology needs, or be referred to other relevant services. Otherwise just come in and say hi, have a coffee and hang out.
We also maintain this website and the Northcliffe Community Calendar. Check out the what's on today...
We hope to help alleviate social isolation in the community and provide a location where people can work on their projects in the company of others. We are known, around the region, for the quality of our one-on-one support and printing services, and our desire to help.
Northcliffe CRC provides a Services Australia access point (for Medicare and Centrelink) and free computer use for those accessing online Government services. We also offer room rentals and many other services.
Monday-Friday 10am-5pm
24 -7 - 365
CRCs receive critical funding assistance from the Government of Western Australia, administered through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Our current Constitution can be accessed here.
We adopted this amended constitution, via a Special Resolution, at our 2021/22 AGM on 12 December. On 1 July 2023 we became an ACNC Registered charity link.
Northcliffe Community Resource Centre's 2022-23 Annual Report.
Trainee Positions
Previous trainees of Northcliffe CRC are valued in the community for their skills. Trainees receive wages to study, with study in the workplace taking up about 25% of the trainees' working day. The rest of the time you'll be learning from the varied and interesting work which we do at the CRC and our partner organisations. All training expenses will be covered by the CRC.
Trainees may have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a Leeuwin Sail Training adventure during their 18 months with us (although since a certain container ship incident the Leeuwin is likely out of commission for the next few years).
Employment of trainees at Northcliffe CRC is support by a grant from the Government of Western Australia.
Here's the trainee advert for the last position we offered. We'll update this as soon as a new traineeship is available. Feel free to express your interest to us in advance and we'll contact you when a new position is offered.
Further information is available from the CRC Manager, Graham: ncrc@northcliffe.org.au or phone 0455438890.
Staff and Vollies
Committee - Volunteers
- Chairman - Paul Owens
- Vice-Chair - Kevan M
- Treasurer - Ken Lloyd
- Secretary - Abe Shields
- Committee Member - Polly Valentine
- Committee Member - Jeni Smith
- Committee Member - Patti Ferber
Catrin - Customer Service Worker
Friendly and ready to assist with your computer needs. Speaks German! Resident photography expert.
Works: Mondays, Thursdays.
Damon - Customer Service Worker
Friendly and capable of solving most of your computer problems.
Works: Fridays.
Graham - Manager
Nocturnal. Hides during the day. Gets sunburnt easily. Resident Android and Linux geek.
Works: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays.
Brayden - Trainee
Technically adept with computers and mobile devices, and a quick draw on the Adobe Suite and AI tools. Brayden is too tall to fit into a single photo, or a CRC desk.
Works: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.
A Little CRC
Each month we create a page with computer and online security tips and news from the Northcliffe Community Resource Centre. This is provided online as well as printed and distributed in Northcliffe's monthly paper, The Northcliffe Karri Pigeon. Access the Latest Edition or browse a list of previous editions available for download.
Northcliffe Community Calendar
Each month Northcliffe Community Resource Centre compiles all the information we can about upcoming activities in Northcliffe. This is provided online as well as printed and distributed in Northcliffe's monthly paper, The Northcliffe Karri Pigeon. Access the Latest Edition or browse a list of previous editions available for download.
Our News
The most up to date news about the CRC can be obtained by following our Facebook Page and by reading the monthly 'A Little CRC' articles.
We also have an active Youtube channel on which we publish The Northcliffe naturally Show. You can find it at youtube.com/@northcliffecrc55
Our Services
Access a list of our everyday services and prices.
We actively maintain up-to-date computers and software and do our best to ensure fast internet access for all users. Many members and guests make use of our affordable printing, Kodak booth, meeting facilities, phone, scanner, and more. We have everything you need to get your business done.
Computer support is available, including help to maintain your own home computer, and one-on-one training sessions. For those on a budget, easy to access support packages mean everyone can benefit from our expertise.
As well as a Centrelink and Medicare Access Point, the CRC provide free access to our computers and printing for those accessing government websites (a fair use policy applies).
Wi-Fi internet access is available, barring technical hiccups, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, within and around the building via Wi-Fi, including in the large car park. Some of our customers like to buy tickets in advance and tap away in the comfort of their car. Wi-fi passes are available from the Northcliffe CRC (open 6 days per week) or the Northcliffe Visitor Centre (open 7 days per week). Buy your passes in advance for after-hours access.
2022-23 AGM Report
Our 2022/23 AGM, on 8 December 2023, was a great chance to review the acheivements of the past year. During the year it can sometimes feel like treading water as we navigate the paperwork warfare involved in surviving as a not-for-profit. We were pleased to review and be reminded of all the ways we managed to help our community during the year. The Annual Report for the AGM is available here. Since our AGM we have one signficant update which is that our charitable registration with the ACNC was finally approved on 11 December, and backdated to begin 1 July 2023.
Activities and Training
To get the most up to date and comprehensive information about NCRC Activities and Training stay tuned with our Northcliffe Community Calendar (link) and our newspaper column, A Little CRC (link).
Annual activities program:
- Northcliffe Bean Bag Cinema - a film club for kids and adults. Keep on eye on our Calendar page and local noticeboards for film events.
- Photo competition and exhibition at Painted Tree Gallery.
- GIMP (free software) photography and image manipulation workshop.
- The Northcliffe naturally Show - a (planned) regular Youtube broadcast for, and by, the local community.
Regular activities program:
- Marketing and Business Development Support Packages for businesses (Application form). Get up to 4 hours of one-on-one support, plus some other benefits, with your Business activity. Available to 3 businesses, community groups or sole traders per quarter (12 packages available per year).
- GLITCH kids computing (for ages 10 and up), at the NCRC throughout school holidays and after school each day. Staff do not have childcare qualifications and participating kids need to be able to look after themselves.
- $5 Computer Clinic. Get up to an hour of one-on-one staff assistance with you computer or mobile device problem. No bookings - subject to staff availability. Application form.
- Workforce Development Support. Do you want to look amazing in your online job interview? We can arrange that using our video conferencing suite. We also offer free, confidential, one-on-one help creating a Resume, applying for a position, accessing online employment services and more.Application form.
- Get email, get mygov, get started. Beginners one-on-one computer training. No bookings. Subject to staff availability. Application form.
- Broadcasting Support Packages. Get access to the NCRC Mini Broadcasting studio with up to 4 hours of one-on-one support, 6 additional hours of access to a video editing workstation and free hire of NCRC broadcasting equipment for up to 3 days. Sample Agreement. These packages are offered subject to the Manager's approval - enquire at the NCRC.
Social, Business and Economic Development Activities taking place at the Northcliffe CRC include activities in response to local opportunities, events and needs as well as our annual program and regular activities. We are open to partnering with local groups and individuals who wish to stage activities so talk to us if you have an idea.
Western Australian Community Resource Network
Over 100 Community Resource Centre across the state form the Western Australian Community Resource Network, which is supported by the Department of Regional Development and the Royalties for Regions initiative.
Each CRC is different, depending on local needs, and the input and talents of their local committees, staff and volunteers. Individual specialties of CRCs include wide format printing (a Northcliffe speciaility), 3d printing, child-care, visitor services, libraries and much more.
At Northcliffe we specialise in supporting the printing and reproduction needs of artists and photographers. We also scan and retouch old photographs, and design and print brochures and business cards.
The NCRC is supported by Northcliffe community volunteers who provide a management committee and wh​​​o volunteer in the day to day running of the centre alongside four paid staff including one trainee. Ongoing annual funding for the NCRC has been provided by the Government of Western Australia since 1994. Our funding is sourced from the Government's Royalties for Regions program administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
We also enjoy the support of over 100 financial members (including Businesses, Families, Community Groups and Individuals). In a town as small as Northcliffe, we take as a vote of confidence. Guests are also welcome to use our services and often do so. In fact around 50% of our services are provided to non-members.
Our services and equipment continue to improve thanks to additional funding received through the WA State Government Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the WA Government Royalties for Regions scheme, and WA's unique institution: Lotterywest. These funding programs have allowed us to mark our presence with new signage, to update our computers, and to purchase additional equipment such as digital art gear and to renovate and fit out our premises.
WA State Government funding has also supported us to conduct a trainee program at the centre. We're proud of our trainees at Northcliffe CRC (7 traineeships and counting). Each trainee brings a new set of skills and interests to the centre, and we leave them with new skills to take out into the community.
A Community Resource Centre Support grant, from the WA Government State Government, (plus a majority of locally raised funds) enabled us to replace our 10 year old wide format printer in 2017 with the latest and greatest, Epson SureColor P10070 44 inch model. In May 2013 we received $17,012 in capital funding from the Lotterywest program for the purchase of specialist photo printing equipment, a document shredder for public use and a colour printer/copier. One of the main jobs of our colour printer is to print the popular monthly newspaper The Northcliffe Karri Pigeon, produced by local volunteer group, Northcliffe Community Development.
NCRC also benefit regularly from the support of Donortec, Microsoft, Cisco and Adobe who work together to provide us near-free access to many of their best products.​