What is it? A website collection of small, local grassroots community development projects aimed to strengthen and empower communities. Some of the activities described here are ideas in the making or projects that are the result of links created between artists and other innovative community members and health professionals, community workers, local businesses, agencies or organisations where the intention is to work together with the community as well as be more inclusive of minority, disadvantaged and harder to reach groups in a creative, meaningful and sustainable way. Very often the projects have been developed around a visual or performing arts theme, which is known to be an important and effective tool in community development because it engages participation of a broad cross-section of the community and can strengthen a community's abilities to promote inclusion as well as be a powerful vehicle for community mobilization, empowerment and information transfer.
Who did it? The projects have been facilitated by a variety of people in the Mount Alexander Shire in Victoria, Australia. Some have been rolled out by Deanna Neville, as well as local artists or by local community people following a series of training workshops facilitated by Deanna and attended by local residents.
Project Facilitator
For more than 10 years Deanna Neville has lived, worked and been part of the creative community fabric of Castlemaine, the local Mount Alexander Shire and the district in Central Victoria, Australia. Born and raised in a rural setting, Deanna is interested in the strength of community links and the cohesiveness that is an essential part of the spirit of good community living.
The history and evolution of strong, supportive community living in Australia came to us from the natural social and family systems of neighbourly kindness such as sharing tools with neighbours over the fence or up the road, swapping excess eggs and garden produce or hand-me-down clothes during times that were tight, or the garden excessive, such as during the depression or in communities when a regular income was scarce.
As society changes and demographics adjust, people are more often living away from family, moving to new districts where they are less connected with the local social norms. Changes in work/leisure ratios sees communities less defined by the social cricket game and barbecues to being more insular and independent, with longer hours at work and less within the neighbourhood community. As new influences impact on society, such as issues around climate change and increasing numbers of single-person households along with sole-parent families, there comes an increasing drive by governments and community and health organizations to build social sustainability. So now is a vital time to explore the values and opportunities that comes from grassroots community development, social engagement and self-determination.
Deanna has worked in visual and performing arts projects in Indigenous and public housing communities. Her background includes motivational roles in teaching, personal training, project management and project management training. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Community Planning & Development and works in a freelance capacity with local groups, governments and organizations.
web design: www.hannahpalmer.com © 2008