The Tasmanian community of Campbell Town was named state and overall national winner in this year’s Can Do Community Awards. The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, presented the awards at a special event during the National General Assembly of Local Government, held in Canberra in November.
Senator Patterson said the Campbell Town Revitalisation Project was an outstanding example of what a community with true ‘can do’ spirit can achieve.
“The efforts of the Campbell Town Community Development Organisation, with the active support of the local community, have worked together to turn a rural town in decline into a thriving community,” she said. “Since the revitalisation project began in April 2002, this township of around 900 residents has been building a convict brick trail and enhancing the main street, Elizabeth River and the bridge. It now has its own monthly newspaper and a popular youth support network.”
John Richardson, who accepted the award on behalf of Campbell Town Community Development Organisation, said the award would help the community to retain its enthusiasm and pride.
“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved in the past 18 months,” he said. “This award reinforces that small communities can reinvent themselves by working together. This award will not only help us in monetary value to develop further the current projects we are working on, but it will also encourage our community to continue the process of revitalisation.”
Senator Patterson said the project was so successful that the Northern Midlands Council had to develop a new infrastructure to cope with the growing number of tourists visiting the area.
“A key success factor for Campbell Town has been the strong partnership between the Council, local businesses and community groups,” she said. “It is fitting that these communities be rewarded for their innovative solutions to local problems, particularly when they make a lasting difference and can be applied elsewhere within Australia.”
The Can Do Community Awards are part of the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. There were two new special award categories this year – the Early Intervention Award for initiatives targeting youth suicide, crime prevention and drug dependence; and Media Reporting on community revitalisation. Each state/territory and special award winner received $10,000 in prize money to support their ongoing work, with the national winner receiving an additional $10,000.
State/Territory Awards
TAS – Campbell Town Revitalisation Project. For further information, contact Community Learning Centre coordinator, John Richardson, phone (03) 6381 1318.
VIC – Return of the Sacred Kingfisher Festival is an annual community event celebrating the return of the kingfisher to its original habitat on the Merri Creek catchment in East Brunswick, Melbourne, after a 20 year absence. The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) holds the festival on its 10 acre community owned site abutting Merri Creek. Now in its 10th year, the Festival has increased the community’s understanding of both social and environmental issues – it links people to each other and to the remnants of nature in the city.
For further information, contact CERES events team leader, Cathy Nixon, on (03) 9388 1707.
WA – the Balingup Making Progress initiative comprises a variety of projects that reinforce the identity of the community and promote the unique features of the town. These include the development of the largest community arboretum in the state, a very popular annual Small Farm Field Day, an annual Medieval Carnivale, a youth group and an elderly residents housing initiative. Funds are also being set aside to establish a Community Foundation, where interest on earnings donated enable the provision of grants to support local initiatives. Profits made through the projects are returned to community groups, such as fire brigades, schools and sports clubs, that help run the events.
For further information, contact President of the Balingup Progress Association, Wendy Trow, on (08) 9780 4220.
QLD – the Sustainable Healthcare Model for Moura and Surrounding Districts was established to attract and retain doctors in the town. It has involved the community purchasing the local Medical Centre and entering into an agreement with the state medical association to lease the practice and supply a doctor. With the donation of a block of land by a local mining company, the community plans to build a house suitable for permanent use as the second doctor’s residence. The Moura community is now revitalised and residents have renewed energy. To use the words of the Banana Shire Mayor, “You can’t keep a good town down!”
For further information, contact the President of the Moura and Districts Health Care Association Inc., John Lang, on (07) 4997 1262.
SA – the Barmera Main Street Markets have made this Riverland town come alive. With up to 7,000 people visiting the town each month, there is no longer a concern about the closure of shops and a lack of general trade within the township. Within the community, the markets have become a great place to meet up with friends and family. The markets have really made a difference to the town. Successful partnerships have been formed between the Berri Barmera Council, community groups and the business sector. It has created a great sense of community connection and made a positive social impact on the town.
For further information, contact market organisers, Julie Krollig, on (08) 8588 1234, or Gail Kohlman, on (08) 8583 2168.
NSW – Gulargambone Community Venture, two eight two eight (named after its postcode), has transformed a run-down old theatre into a multi-faceted community centre with coffee shop and regular movie screenings. It has also signed a contract with the Coonamble Council to deliver library services run by volunteers. two eight two eight has pulled the community together and led to increased social interaction. It has fostered pride in the community and created a sense of ownership, particularly among the young people.
For further information, contact project coordinator, Angela O’Brien, on (02) 6825 1038.
NT – Adopt-a-Park was initiated by Palmerston City Council and community members to encourage the town’s young people to take ‘ownership’ of their 75 local parks, most of which had suffered from vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The adopters are encouraged to participate in Parkwatch, which involves keeping an eye on litter and vandalism, and reporting damage to park equipment to Council. Adopt-a-Park is now in its 10th year. A quarterly newsletter keeps the adopters up to date with program activities and other adoptions. Today, 800 adopters are responsible for 50 of Palmerston’s 75 parks.
For further information, contact the Mayor of Palmerston, Annette Burke, on (08) 8935 9911
Special awards
Early Intervention Award
The formation of the Meekatharra Men’s Group has seen a reduction in family and domestic violence and a newfound respect between older men and adolescents in this Western Australian town. The Indigenous male health and educational group meets every week to discuss issues of concern and how to address them, and participate in camps, providing an informal environment and positive role modelling. The results of the educational sessions have made a marked impact on the community. The reduction in anger induced offences at the local court can be attributed to anger management courses for boys, and men are gaining more understanding of budgeting and family responsibilities. There has also been a reduction in family and domestic violence.
For further information, contact Meekatharra Men’s Group Coordinator, Ken Burkenhagen, on (08) 9981 0600.
Media Reporting Award
The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, the major newspaper in the Sutherland Shire, NSW, has supported the Sutherland Shire Suicide Safety Network Inc. through sensitive reporting of issues surrounding suicide, and promoting the work of the Network. Pleased with the formation of the Network and impressed with the work it has achieved, the Leader editor and senior journalists have pledged full support to the Network. The Leader is notified of all Network initiatives so it can report on events and inform the community of activities carried out by the organisation.
For further information about the Network, contact coordinator, Anita Smith, on (02) 9710 0602.
The profiles of the winners are available on the Can Do Community website at www.facs.gov.au/cando
