Every week I meet people who are uncomfortable with something in their community. Most will do nothing about it (except whinge), some will get started and dip out when it gets too hard and others I watch in great delight as inch by inch, step by step they forge a pathway forward drowning out the […]
Do you really want to create change? Embrace what makes you potent. Read More
Of the 789,645 businesses based in regional Australia a whopping 97% are considered small, that is employing 0-19 people (ABS, 2023). When someone decides to establish a business in a regional area they do so knowing (or just about to find out) they will face a range of challenges that will at some point impact
The role of local procurement in building regional capability Read More
This time, a year ago I was preparing to hand over my regional leadership role, a role I’d held for seven years and could have easily continued for seven more. But I knew the time had come for change and, approaching my 50th birthday I also knew it was time to dig deeper into the
If you really want to create social change – do something Read More
Aunty Jo-Anne Kelly often speaks about weaving together elements of community to create change. Led by the people elements, drawing the strategies, programs and resources in place to create something lasting and reverent is what she aspires to, and works steadily towards every day. Weaving community may start with an engagement activity, or a consultation
Weaving community connection Read More
As I celebrate my 20th year in business #evolveis20 I’ve also dedicated some time to reflect on what it’s been like to live and work ‘in place’ (in the Mid North Coast of NSW) for two whole decades. The ‘work’ I’m referring to has lots of names from community and economic-development, regional development to place-based
Reflecting on 20 years in place: Where to begin? Read More
I first learned the term ‘social enterprise’ around 2009 when I was managing an Aboriginal Corporation and my funding partner had told me we had 24 months to make the entity sustainable. The entity was essentially a community centre i.e. an entity established to support the community and act as a conduit to valuable services
Why it’s time to invest in rural social enterprise eco-systems Read More
Of course there are some shining examples of thriving #mainstreets throughout regional Australia (#highlight them for me if you will in the comments), however, many of the regional town I visit are really struggling. Why? As Ready Communities co-founder Chad Renando and I have discovered as we’ve spent time in our pilot community, Kempsey NSW
Reimagining the role of our main streets. Commerce or connection? Read More
Most weeks I speak with people who have ideas about how they would/could/should change their community, and often the whole world in some way. Very few of these people ever actually move into action. Why? There are always valid reasons… I’m too busy, I don’t know where to start, it’s not my place, I don’t
If you want to create change in your community don’t just talk about it, do this instead… Read More
What legal structure operate within is a challenge that many impact practitioners face at some point. The story usually goes something like this… Step 1: Have a great idea to create positive change in someone’s life Step 2: Become highly excited, search, search, learn, learn, shuffle contradictory advice Step 3: Fuelled with filtered compliments decide
When not to start a not for profit Read More
For the past 12 years I’ve lived on 5 acres just outside a small country town. A (get out your air quote fingers) “lifestyle” block I believe it’s called (when I’m ready to sell), a grass farm I call it in the meantime. Over the years I’ve become very good at not hearing jibes, ill-intended
What living on a rural block taught me about getting things done (and not done) Read More