IT IS indeed a big question – what is community? And what does it mean to be part of a community? Ballarat is a great place to live, but how can we encourage more people to be actively engaged in community life?
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At the last Leadership Ballarat Western Region program day, we explored how the historic urban landscape approach can tell us things about places and cities we may not normally consider when managing change.
Activities were used to unearth what we love about Ballarat and what we are determined to hang onto in an era of such fast-paced growth and change.
We had to envision what sort of Ballarat we want to live in going forward.
Preservation of our waterways and conservation of our native bush and parklands were identified as key future priorities, among the many raised.
With Ballarat’s population expected to more than double by 2040, what became evident is that the time for planning is now.
We need to be making the right decisions about how our city will be best served now and into the future.
Throughout the day, we learned how important a “bottom up” approach is to successful community development. We learnt the importance of empowering people and making changes with the community – not dictating changes to them.
We explored a range of approaches to be inclusive of all members of the community and provide them with a voice and an opportunity to become engaged.
As part of a fun energising activity, we focused on potential solutions to the barriers of active citizenship that were identified.
Through team collaboration, there were some excellent ideas pitched to tackle youth disengagement, homelessness and ensuring that the right people are in the right room, at the right time.
There was a general feeling of gratitude in the room when some of the 2017 Leadership Ballarat Western Region alumni dropped in at the end of our fifth program day.
Hearing these four inspiring people discuss their experiences, engaging with children and staff from Yuille Park, was amazing.
Not only for the activities they organised, but also because they are making a huge effort and giving up their time to continue some momentum from their year in 2017. The way they referred to the excitement felt after each program day, that feeling of “wanting to change the world”, resonated with me.
To make the commitment that these alumni have – to continue to meet, to discuss new projects and generally keep the fire burning – is something to aspire to.
And no doubt I am not alone in feeling more aware of continuing my own commitment beyond this year.
These choices cannot be left to only those with the loudest voices.
The Ballarat community needs to engage in shaping the future of our region, as only then can we truly consider all possibilities, gain more perspectives and realise greater outcomes for all stakeholders, achieving community ownership.
Let’s all have a say, get involved and retain the characteristics that make Ballarat a place to call home.
As we look to the future, we – as community leaders – need to remember to truly empower people to have ownership of their community.
If we provide opportunities for them to have their say, we will see the transformation of suburb to community.