Our towns

The Our Town Teams are made up of community members dedicated to building the capability of their towns to support each other in the face of mental health and wellbeing challenges. The Teams consult deeply with members of their communities and together, form The Network where they share their insights, learning, and experiences with one another and with other regional towns outside of the initiative.

The Our Town network consists of two models. The first model includes four communities, Ceduna/ Far West, Cummins, Kangaroo Island, and Kimba, who are each fully funded for the ten years under the initiative. The second model includes the communities of Berri and Mid Murray who to date have been supported through seed funding and short term government grants. All six communities receive funded capability development and participate in network learning opportunities.

Our Town acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay respects to their Elders past and present.

Town locations

THE TOWNS

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Berri

Nestled on the beautiful Murray River in South Australia’s Riverland region, Berri is renowned for its agriculture and viticulture. Berri is also a regional community service hub for the Riverland region. Berri is part of the Our Town Network and participates in capability development and network learning opportunities. To date Berri has been supported through seed funding and short term government grants but has to source additional funding to support their work with their community. Vision: An inclusive town that thrives through community connections. A community that understands and activates its strengths and assets (people, organisations, spaces and things) to create strong identity and town pride where all generations feel welcomed and supported to embed and nurture a culture of positive wellbeing. Read about our latest impact in our newsletter [https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?u=94622098671ec4a276feb8b37&id=fd23570b54]

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Ceduna/Far West

The coastal town of Ceduna is situated on the West Coast of the Eyre Peninsula and is home to a diverse community with the largest population of First Nation’s people in a South Australian government region. Our Town Ceduna/Far West encompasses the Ceduna Township and the communities of Smoky Bay, Denial Bay, Koonibba, Penong, Coorabie, Fowlers Bay, Scotdesco, Yalata, and Oak Valley. ‍ Vision: Ceduna/Far West reclaims our collective story and wellbeing by growing community voice and healthy beliefs. Through skills and recognition, we will foster the role for community in change.

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Cummins

In the heart of the Lower Eyre is the ‘can-do’ town of Cummins. Surrounded by sweeping fields of golden wheat, green barley, and yellow canola crops this close-knit town consistently punches above its weight. Our Town Cummins operates as a health promotion charity that takes a localised approach to promoting health, wellbeing, and connection. We do so by partnering with community to build on our collective strengths and learn why people may be facing mental health challenges; supporting activities that create an inclusive and supportive community for everyone in Cummins; building capabilities of people living in and around the township of Cummins; and by emphasising the importance of education, awareness, and early intervention as protective factors that prevent mental distress. The Our Town Cummins vision is simple: A mentally fit community where the collective voice of lived experience underpins decision-making when it comes to championing mental wellbeing.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island, and a sanctuary for wildlife and natural, rugged landscapes. On 3 January 2020 they experienced the largest bushfires in the island's history which had catastrophic impact on people, homes, nature, tourism and businesses. Kangaroo Island is hoping that Our Town can support the mental health of an already vulnerable island community and provide much-needed supports as its people work to rebuild in the aftermath of the bushfire crisis. Vision: That every person living on Kangaroo Island is equipped with the tools to support themselves and others toward improved wellbeing and positive mental health wellbeing. That our community feels connected, inclusive of diversity and differences, and above all to be mentally healthy and living with purpose in a changing world.

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Kimba

Kimba is located in the North Eastern portion of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, strategically located on the Eyre Highway, Highway One and on the traditional lands of the Barngarla people. The town of Kimba is home to a proactive and passionate community who work hard and stick together through hard times. Vision: To have an engaged and connected community that values all people equally and our own and other’s health and wellbeing. To continually build on a mentally healthy and resilient community whilst creating safe spaces and an environment of acceptance and belonging.

Mid Murray

This sprawling region encompasses a network of communities spanning riverside hubs to farming towns. Mid Murray Our Town is currently working closely with the towns of Walker Flat, Nildottie, Swan Reach, and Blanchetown with the aim of branching out and exploring partnerships with more towns in the future. Mid Murray is part of the Our Town Network and participates in capability development and network learning opportunities. To date Mid Murray has been supported through seed funding and short term government grants but has to source additional funding to support their work with their community. Vision: With a current focus on four towns and a long-term vision of localised action to support sustainable positive mental health and wellbeing in our region.

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About Us

Our Town is a place-based mental health initiative supporting community-determined responses to mental health challenges.