Locals needed to advance Central West Queensland’s future
Dedicated Central West Queensland locals have been invited to better their region’s future, as part of Rural Aid’s Community Builders program.
Community Builders is a grassroots leadership initiative that helps rural towns work with their regional neighbours to identify the areas’ strengths and weaknesses.
The program encompasses multiple towns in the Central West Queensland region. It kicks off with a workshop in Ilfracombe on 10 October, 2023.
Workshops will then occur every four weeks in a different Central West Queensland town.
The towns of Barcaldine, Jericho, Blackall, Aramac, Muttaburra, Ilfracombe, Isisford, and Clermont are represented in the Community Builders program.
Rural Aid’s Community Programs Manager Jen Curnow-Trotter said the program can be ‘life-changing’.
“Community Builders helps towns beat the trend of dwindling populations, failing economies and fading hope,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said.
“In workshops run by both locals and small-town experts, the participants define their desires for their region; whether it be improving tourism, upgrading the main street or keeping the local pub running.”
“The workshop captures the ideas and enthusiasm of locals who are determined to improve their town, and channels them into a powerful Community Action Plan,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said.
“The Community Action Plan then guides the region through the steps they need to take to achieve the goals they agreed on with expert Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S.”
Locals are being encouraged to take part in the formation of their region’s future.
The Central West Queensland Community Builders is the first time Rural Aid has run the program in Queensland.
“The chance to influence your town’s prospects is a really special opportunity,” Ms Curnow-Trotter said.
“The workshops are an electric atmosphere and they really do ignite the region’s community spirit and motivation.”
Locals are invited to take part in the revitalisation of their region by heading along to Ilfracombe Sports Centre at 9am.
For more information on the Community Builders program, visit: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/community-development/community-builders/
About Rural Aid
Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. We stand with our farmers when they need us most. Rural Aid provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, wellbeing and fodder assistance. Rural Aid’s community programs help create more sustainable communities by building stronger futures for all Australian farmers. Find out more at www.ruralaid.org.au
For more information or interviews, contact Rural Aid Media on media@ruralaid.org.au or 0447 116 757.