Cultural Diversity and Change/Communities in Action
Sunday 12 and Monday 13 September
Community Leaders visit the Mount Alexander Shire
 Castlemaine
was recently the destination of a two day visit by the Loddon Murray
Community Leadership Program. This group of 20 participants hails
from throughout the north-central region, from communities stretching from
Macedon in the south through to Swan Hill in the north.
Coming
together up to twice a month over a 10 month period, they learn about the
issues and challenges facing the broader region whilst also acquiring and
refining skills to assist them in their leadership journey.
In
Castlemaine this included a session with Nigel McGuckian on governance: a
vital and often neglected area impacting on community groups. For David
Barker of Rochester, this was a highlight.
 “Of
all the workshops we have had throughout the year,” commented David, “this
was the stand out for me.”
Since its
inception in 1998 the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program has
inspired and assisted over 250 people from all walks of life to make a
significant difference in their local communities and the wider region.
Participants are accepted into the program with the aim of reflecting the
diversity of the communities living and working within the region. The
2010 program includes local participants from Castlemaine, Hesket,
Elphinstone, Maryborough and Harcourt.
Through the
program, participants are able to explore a wide range of issues that
encompass social, cultural, environmental, technological and economical
aspects of the region. In Castlemaine this included a consideration of
“Change Communities in Action” and the rural context of “Cultural
Diversity.”
 Andrew
Butt from Latrobe University helped to set the scene by highlighting some
of the community impacts that will be experienced by the projected changes
to our rural population.
Speakers
included Donna Petrusma of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, herself
a LMCLP graduate, who outlined the extraordinary breadth of programs and
assistance offered by the Commission to support multicultural communities.
Participants
also met with representatives from the Sudanese community including Chan
Nyok, president of the East African Community of Castlemaine, and Ann de
Hugard of the Friends and Tutors of the Sudanese who talked about the
experience of assisting the Sudanese on their arrival in Castlemaine. A
representative of DON KRC explained how the Sudanese community was
encouraged to relocate to Castlemaine to address a labour shortage.
 For
Kim Hanlon of Inglewood spending time with the Sudanese was a unique
experience. “We don’t have African residents in Inglewood so this was a
great opportunity for me” noted Kim. “To hear their stories and the
struggle of what they went through to get to this country, was very moving
and incredibly powerful.”
Other local
speakers included Bron Machin, Andrew McKenna, Lucy Mayes and Carol
McDonough who all spoke about the growing sustainability movement and ways
that the local community has been able to engage on a practical and
meaningful level. Participants noted the relevance and applicability of
these initiatives which could be adapted for their own communities.
A trip to
Castlemaine wouldn’t be complete without viewing the vast array of
industry, tourist, cultural and heritage sites abundant in the town. These
were showcased to participants with a visit to the Art Gallery, a
reception with the State Festival, and a coach tour of the wider area with
members of the East Africa community. Ian and Marilyn from local community
radio station WMA fm provided a running commentary throughout, making for
an informative and fun trip.
Other sites
viewed included the major redevelopment at DON KRC and Rod Hadfield’s
Street Rod Centre in Chewton where Larry O’Toole talked about a
significant community project being undertaken.
Some light
relief at the end of a long day with Phil Melgaard in a circus skills
workshop encouraged participants to remember the importance of being
centred.
Sponsorship
provided by Don KRC, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the
Mount Alexander Shire Council, RM Consulting Group and the Castlemaine
Community House enabled the participants to benefit from these two days.
The next
destination for the 2010 Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program is
Pyramid Hill on 4 October where the focus will be on Our Environment and
Climate Change. Speakers include Newstead resident Geoff Parks who will
address the issue of Managing a Changing Landscape.
Photo Captions (top to bottom):
-
Participants in the Loddon Murray Community
Leadership Program recently visited Castlemaine to explore community
initiatives.
-
Sue McLean from Charlton sharing her thoughts during
a community engagement exercise as Sue Grimes from Castlemaine, Brent
Heitbaum from Kerang and Scott McLarty from Bendigo look on.
-
Suzanne Blume from Harcourt and Jacqueline Brodie-Hans
from Elphinstone participating in a community engagement exercise.
-
Members of the East Africa community were special
guests of LMCLP for the afternoon sharing stories of their personal
journeys and joining the group for a tour of Castlemaine.
Story prepared by Jaqueline Brodie-Hans from
Elphinstone |
