Even with the support of our teams, our communities, and the broader network of towns we walk alongside, there are still moments where the journey, while absolutely worth it, feels like a long one. Recently however, our experience at ChangeFest offered us some valuable perspective, where, surrounded by like-minded individuals and immersed in a community of change-makers, we found camaraderie and inspiration. It was a powerful reminder that our individual contributions, when combined with the efforts of others, possess the potential to drive real and lasting change.
ChangeFest was a blast! It ignited our imagination with a whirlwind of challenging ideas aimed at transforming our community. Sharing space with fellow change-makers fuelled vibrant conversations, sparking fresh ideas and strengthening our resolve to make a difference together. - Matilda, Our Town Cummins
ChangeFest is a nation-wide movement for place-based change in Australia. Gathering on Latji Latji country in Mildura this year, the ChangeFest theme was Rivers of Change. Sessions covered where to next for evaluating place-based change, reimagining disaster response, and reshaping service systems to be in service to community.
Our Town partnered with Our Place - Robinvale Community (NSW & Vic), and Meekatharra Community & Mission Australia (WA), to share our own experience of creating place-based change in regional contexts. The session, Small Communities: Big Change, created the opportunity for all participants to hear from, learn from, and work together to understand the vibrant context of regional Australia.
Meekathara spoke of their unique First Nations work where, supported by a 10-year investment into place, their team is using First Nations wisdom to increase literacy and connections across Country.
Robinvale - Euston explored their work within the community, and the ripples of impact their backbone team had created across their place.
Our Town Berri and Kangaroo Island Our Town shared passionately about how towns within the network are pursuing their own wellbeing journeys, amplified by a multitude of partnerships across education, community centres, and local and state government.
Stan Grant said you can’t grow a seed in poisoned earth - we need to pour love and kindness into that earth first. If community are not getting invited to sit at the table, create a new one - Our Town is that new table.– Maree, Kangaroo Island Our Town
Funders attending the session were keen to better understand the speaker's thoughts on how best to support communities in their work, what conditions need to be in place, and how funders could better understand ‘investment’ into communities.
The circle spoke deeply about building trust between communities and how those connections build over time, reinforcing that regional communities are uniquely positioned to self-determine their futures.
Participants were interested in exploring how to form a deep connection to place when working as part of a long-term community place-based initiative and how to respond to community rather than deliver to community.
While sharing our experience as part of the session brought its own value, the biggest takeaway from our time at ChangeFest was what we learned from others, the conversations we were part of, and the connections we made.
Stan Grant talked about finding your flow, creating spaces rather than filling spaces. Are we taking up space or creating space? ChangeFest encouraged me to think about how we use our power to create love and hope in communities. – Julie, Our Town Berri
We want to extend our gratitude to the local host and partners - Hands up Mallee and Connected Beginnings Mildura, and to all those that shared their wisdom, knowledge and experiences.