Residents of Lancefield, Benloch, Baynton and Romsey are being urged to have their say about how communities can be improved as part of a program set up in the wake of last October’s devastating Cobaw Ranges bushfire.
Organisers of Make a Change, a social venture designed to provide the inspiration, skills and support to make community projects a reality, is seeking expressions of interest as it begins work in the area.
Suggestion boxes have been placed at local libraries and neighbourhood houses ahead of special events planned over the next six months.
Make a Change spokeswoman Karen Corr says the program will include community discussions and workshops to explore what’s needed and how to make things happen.
The first workshop, titled Outside the Square, is on May 29.
‘‘We’re inviting anyone in the area to come along and share their vision for the community,’’ Ms Corr said. ‘‘We want to know what they want, the kinds of things they want.’’
She said it was an opportunity for people from various groups to unite.
‘‘There’s no set outcome … it will really be based on what people in the community want to do,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s really about facilitating conversation. We recognise there’s a lot of great stuff already happening in communities.
“We’re not coming in to say you should do this or that. Our approach is about bringing people together and giving them more opportunities.’’
Information gathered during the program’s initial stages will be used to help formalise ideas into concrete projects.
‘‘They might be existing projects, but people might need to know how they can take them further,’’ Ms Corr said.
‘‘We will give them resources and show them government programs or other community initiatives they might be able to link with.’’
Make a Change’s final stages will include skills training.
The program is being funded by the state government.
Details: www.makeachange.org.au
