Preliminary Report – Berriwillock Community Opportunity Workshop
Berriwillock Public Hall Monday March 3rd, 2008
Facilitator: Gaynor Doreian
Community Attendees:
Mrs Jeni McLean Allison Watson Janet Summerhayes Ms Julie Wight Linton Ryan John Watson Jamie Simpson Garry Bibby Mrs Helen Summerhayes Ron Corbett Stuart Sutton Mrs Noelene Austerberry Mr Chris Weir Marea Robertson Mr Michael Clarke Mr Alan Mills Allan Robertson Mr Tom Renny Mr Neil Simpson John Renny Mr Graeme McNally Mrs Yvonne Ryan Bruce Godwin Mrs Maxine Harrison Ms Caroline Welsh Mr Garry Summerhayes Mr Lachie Considine Mr Ian Austerberry Ash Summerhayes Mr Nick Watson Mrs Nancy Summerhayes Mrs Danni Ryan Mrs Rosalie Jones
Council Attendees:
Gaynor Doreian Mark Remnant Warwick Heine Kerry Mather
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Index to the Report
Introduction ...... 3 Summary ...... 4 About Berriwillock ...... 6 Community Assets ...... 7 What ‘Helps’ and ‘Hinders’ Berriwillock Achieving it’s Goals ...... 9 Changes Happening in the World that Impact on Berriwillock ...... 10 What is Important About Living in Berriwillock Today ...... 12 What will be Important to Living in Berriwillock in the Future ...... 14 Bridging the Gap between Today and Tomorrow ...... 16 Participant Support for the Ideas/Proposals Developed ...... 18 Development of Action Plans ...... 19 Building the Berriwillock Community Centre ...... 20 Connecting Berriwillock ...... 21 Beautiful Berriwillock ...... 22
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Introduction
This report details the outcomes of the Berriwillock Community Opportunity Workshop held on Monday March 3rd 2008 at the Berriwillock Public Hall.
The report has been developed from notes taken by the facilitators and as recorded by participants during the workshop.
The report has been prepared as an initial feedback document to the Berriwillock Community Development Group and the wider Berriwillock community
The objective of the report is for it to act as a „launching pad‟ for further discussion.
The format of the report has been developed by the Shire of Buloke. The format is designed to allow integration with the results of the other Buloke Community Opportunity Workshops. The format also allows for integration with other planning tools being developed by Council.
Feedback on the format is invited and welcomed.
The report is to be distributed to all participants who attended the Berriwillock Community Opportunity Workshop, to the Berriwillock Community Development Group, and all other community groups operating in the Berriwillock community.
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Summary
The Berriwillock Community Opportunity Workshop was very well supported by the Berriwillock community with 33 community members attending.
The ideas and suggestions produced by the workshop reflect the friendly and communal spirit of the people who live in Berriwillock and their concern for the well being of everyone who lives in and around the Berriwillock District.
The workshop was conducted in an air of cooperation, goodwill and humour despite the very hot conditions that prevailed.
The passion with which some at the workshop spoke about their ideas, as well as the good humour in which the night proceeded was an important element of the Berriwillock workshop.
The good humour exhibited at this Workshop was one of the highlights of the event. The Workshop evidenced the very high level of connectedness between the Berriwillock Community and between the different generations represented. Age and familial affiliation was no barrier to the good humour and raucous comments made during the night as ideas were flung around the room.
Workshop participants were very definite in their belief that the characteristics of Berriwillock today are crucial to its future. Common themes to emerge in this context were:
The high quality of life enjoyed in Berriwillock How safe Berriwillock is as a place to live in The confidence the Berriwillock community maintain in the town The exceptionally strong community spirit that exists in the town The support given to existing businesses in Berriwillock The importance of people working together
As the workshop progressed these themes became more apparent. Family values, community involvement, volunteerism and the importance of community recreation opportunities all emerged as important determinants of the future of Berriwillock.
Economic stability through profitable farming, safe country lifestyle and quality of local facilities were identified strongly as the things most important to people living in Berriwillock today. These same factors were seen to be important to the future of Berriwillock.
Participants demonstrated a broad and informed knowledge of global, national regional and local issues affecting the Berriwillock community but these were always founded in a belief about the future of Berriwillock. Berriwillock is a town the current community knows will survive, irrespective of what the wider world throws at it.
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This should not be interpreted as a „head in the sand‟ approach to the future. To the contrary, the Berriwillock community demonstrated an understanding of the likely impact of global trends such as increasing fuel prices, increasing food prices, the impact of climate change and social trends such as changes to value systems, beliefs and behaviours. The focus of the Berriwillock community is 100% on the services and facilities needed to ensure Berriwillock continues to be a great place to live and to support a small but active and diverse population. The importance of recreation facilities and community meeting facilities were prominent in the proposals put forward by participants for these reasons.
The importance of community spirit, particularly in terms of active participation in community life, emerged as a very strong future determinant in the Berriwillock community‟s vision for a thriving and liveable future town.
When the inputs discussed above were translated into some ideas/projects for priority action some clear themes emerged. These were, in order of importance: The need to maintain community spirit The need to improve community facilities Actions to build a sustainable future for agriculture and land use The need to address needs of the young people The need for improved communication structures Actions to capitalise on natural features such as Green lake
These ideas and projects were common across all aspects of the Workshop.
The next stage of the community planning process in Berriwillock involves the community in turning some of the ideas/projects suggested at the Workshop into tangible action. To assist this several possible draft action plans have been developed and included in this report for discussion and possible further development.
It is stressed that the Action Plans included in this report are draft, and can be deleted, altered, restructured or further developed as the Berriwillock community sees fit.
The next steps in this process are with the Berriwillock community.
Congratulations on a great start to the community planning process in Berriwillock.
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About Berriwillock
Berriwillock has a population of around 100 people and is located 334 km north-west of Melbourne on the Calder Highway, on the “143rd meridian where it crosses the highway”.
Berriwillock district was settled as far back as the early 1890‟s. According to “While the Mallee Roots Blaze” by Winifred Nixon, “by 1891 settlement was beginning not only on the farm selections but there was also the nucleus of a small township. The earliest building in the township was a wine shanty made of bags. Several large tanks or dams had been sunk around this area either by the government or the station owners. Water for domestic purposes and for stock was originally carted from Birchip and also from Green Lake where some of the settlers had dug wells”.
Berriwillock was part of Springfield Station associated with E H Lascelles and selected by D. McSwain and R. Sandford. Unlike some surrounding areas, the country was thickly covered in Mallee scrub. Clearing, fencing and vermin eradication were the first order of the day.
As Winifred Nixon recounts “following the line of least resistance the settlers cleared first the patches where the scrub was least vigorous and proceeded to sow small areas as soon as possible. Thus the plots were often of very queer shapes. Hired Mallee cutters worked from daylight till dark clearing the land for 6 shillings an acre. Most of the 6 shillings disappeared in the effort to quench the insatiable thirst created”.
The railway line, completed in 1894, was important to the early life of the town and remains a vital part of the town today even though not heavily used. The town grew up around the nucleus of the rail line and the rail station.
When the “dog netting fence” went through in the 1930‟s Berriwillock was on the outside. However the introduction of the channel system for stock and domestic water in the same period made a huge difference to the lives of Berriwillock district people.
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Community Assets
Participants were asked to do a “Stock Take” of what the Berriwillock community currently has, including projects that community organisations were currently working to achieve.
Workshop participants identified a wide range of current assets and projects.
What Berriwillock has Today Good people/ organisations Golf course Pool Landmark Agency Park Close to Green Lake Sporting clubs Family Pub Great community Shop (Millsy) Railway Café Water supply Toilets War memorial Silos (million bushel) Cemetery Town footpaths & roads Volunteer community workers New comers Good mix of ages Values of the town Young families Safety Quiet environment Friendly The public hall Christmas party Berriwillock Community Development Group Water trough Garden club Mix of young and older leaders Lots of good ideas Internet Community events Tennis club Bush dance Bowling club Peaceful life Park BBQ facilities Craft group Post office/banking facilities School buses Plans for a new Community Centre Active young families Church Work opportunities CFA shed & truck Children‟s play park Community Centre Planning Group
This list is a useful initial insight into the Berriwillock community. The mix of value statements, community activities and physical facilities was symptomatic of the way in which participants spoke of Berriwillock throughout the Workshop. Significantly there were no negatives.
Also of interest were the perceptions that active leadership was an asset to the town. This was the first acknowledgement of this in any of the current series of Community Opportunity Workshops held in Buloke in 2007/08.
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Members of the Berriwillock community are invited to make further suggestions to be included in this list as it is an important listing of the opportunities available in Berriwillock
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What ‘Helps’ and ‘Hinders’ Berriwillock Achieving it’s Goals
Participants were asked to explore what they felt impacts on the Berriwillock community achieving its goals.
Participants worked in groups and recorded what they felt helped or assisted in achieving the town‟s goals, and what hinder them, or got in the way of the community achieving it‟s goals.
The respective Workshop Groups identified a number of common themes in each category and these are indicated by the asterisks.
What ‘helps’ things happen in Berriwillock? Community Development Group* Friendly people Buloke Shire* Community Active volunteers*** local businesses* Enthusiasm of local people* Communication* Men lending equipment & time Young volunteers Innovative people in the community Functions include everyone Self help 2005 community plan Sporting clubs Drought funding Grandparents as childminders Drought created time Teamwork Caroline & Danni
What ‘hinders’ things happening in Berriwillock? Money** Not close enough to regional centre Lack of human resources No broadband Drought* Lack of dedicated workers Young people leaving **** Lack of Shire interest in town Lack of funding No tip access Rail upgrade High fuel prices* Lack of community concern School children have to travel Lack of communication Same people doing all the jobs Lack of water* More people working so not enough time* Lack of Social life Distance we travel* Less young people No public transport No childcare in town Age of our community Lack of facilities Population decline* Burnout Loss of garage Getting older Business hours Need more leaders The knockers
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Changes Happening in the World that Impact on Berriwillock
Participants were asked to workshop the question “What changes are happening in the wider world that impact on the Berriwillock community?”
Participants continued to work in teams. Once a list was prepared, participants were asked to determine the most important factors identified at their table.
Changes impacting Berriwillock were recorded in written form and shared with all workshop participants through a table by table verbal report back process.
The matters raised by participants are reported below. Matters have been grouped to reflect the themes that emerged. Matters raised by more than one working group are marked with an asterisk.
The Berriwillock Workshop raised matters of global and national concern particularly relating to economic sustainability. Rising fuel prices, climate change, transport issues and ongoing increases in interest rates as well as an awareness of social trends in larger centres are impacting on the local community. It also reflected a strong awareness of economic matters in the Berriwillock community.
Another interesting observation to come from the Berriwillock workshop was that participants were conscious of the need to maintain their confidence in the face of the likely changes impacting on the world.
Theme Concerns Economic Increasing petrol/oil prices**** Food prices * World grain shortage Cost of living Shortage of Agricultural supplies Cost of utilities Rising interest rates** Cost of living U.S. economy Farm input costs Freight closure* Mining boom* Concentration of jobs in cities Rail freight availability*** Local government has no money Aging population*
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Good grain prices Drought*** Exchange rate for Aus$** Food shortage Labour shortage Technology leaving the bush behind Bio fuels
Environment Climate change**** Drought *** Water*** Sea level changes
Global World insecurity Technology Declining US economy Over population
Global warming International grain shortage
Social/Community Drug abuse crime Cost of living Water restrictions City laws/country trust Over population Concentration of people in cities
Services Transport Education Elderly care Internet
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What is Important About Living in Berriwillock Today
Participants were asked to workshop the question “What do you think is most important about living in Berriwillock now?”
Participants again worked in 5 table groups with 6 other people.
Participants were asked to develop a personal response to the question and then share this with other participants at their table. A consolidated list was prepared by each table.
Once the consolidated list was prepared and agreed upon participants were asked to determine the three most important factors identified at their table.
The matters raised by participants are reported below.
Matters of importance have been grouped to reflect the themes that emerged.
Matters raised by more than one working group are marked with an asterisk.
Theme Matter of Importance community Community spirit * People work together – volunteering***** Friendship* Swimming pool – park recreation** Pub Great for raising kids Sporting facilities Having young people Strong faith Active and concerned community Supportive of disadvantaged- caring* Community active in public affairs lifestyle Country lifestyle* Family oriented** Safety *** Freedom* Cheap place to live Sporting groups/facilities * Clean air* Layed back way of life Freedom
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Peace of mind* Access to health facilities Retirement Social life
Economic Existing businesses ** Farming Employment
Environment Having water for sports facilities* Guaranteed water supply House maintenance Decent roads and footpaths
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What will be Important to Living in Berriwillock in the Future
Participants were asked to workshop the question “What do you consider will be the things most important to Berriwillock being a good place to live in 2020?”
Participants worked at a table with 5 to 6 other people. Participants worked with a different group of people on this exercise from the previous exercise as they had been asked by the facilitator to change tables prior to commencing the exercise. The change was structured by the facilitator to increase the potential for participants to work with a new group.
Participants were asked to develop a personal response to the question and then share this with other participants at their table. A consolidated list was prepared by each table. Once the consolidated list was prepared and agreed participants were asked to determine the three most important factors identified at their table.
Changes impacting Berriwillock were recorded in written form and shared with all workshop participants through a table by table verbal report back process.
The matters raised by participants are reported below.
Matters of importance have been grouped to reflect the themes that emerged.
Key themes were then distilled. Some groups of participants simply used the key word to indicate what they thought to be important to the future.
Community, social and infrastructure related matters were the most important and frequent issues raised by participants.
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Theme Matters of Importance Community Maintain facilities and groups* Good place to bring up a family Sporting clubs*** Community safety* Peaceful Sport Social activities People* Housing Maintain standard of living Community spirit
Employment/Economic Profitable farms and agriculture* Development Job prospects* maintaining businesses * Technology * Transport - railway** Ethanol up and running Shops*
Community infrastructure Community hall Cemetery maintained Medical facilities* Safety and security* communication –broadband/mobile Elderly care- Shire* Healthcare** Swimming pool* Park area* Public transports- trains Maintain recreation facilities New meeting room
Population Growth* Younger generation* Reincarnation Maintain lifestyle Family
Education Training
Environment Water for farming and living*** Containing global warming Trees east of highway growing well
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Bridging the Gap between Today and Tomorrow
Using the information from the preceding exercises the participants were invited to prioritise what they saw as being important in ensuring Berriwillock‟s survival and growth over the coming 10 to 20 years.
Each table was supplied with a random selection of responses from the two previous exercises when participants had been asked to workshop the questions:
1. What do you think is most important about living in Berriwillock now?
2. What do you consider will be the three things most important to Berriwillock being a good place to live in 2020?
The responses from the two exercises were clearly marked in order to allow quick identification of their respective source.
Participants were asked to workshop at their table what actions or projects they believed were necessary in order to retain as much as possible about what is seen to be important to living in Berriwillock today; while at the same time securing a future Berriwillock people will want to live in.
The facilitator highlighted that the responses distributed to each table were to be used as thought starters. Participants could either determine to start with a statement about the future and identify what may be necessary to secure that future, or start from what had been identified as important today and work forward to secure a desired future.
Participants were asked to develop project priorities with other participants at their table.
Each of the five workshop tables was asked to develop at least one idea or project.
Tables could develop more than one idea or project if they had time, or thought it important enough to develop.
Participants were given 20 minutes to develop their ideas and projects.
A table by table verbal report back process was used to report the outcomes of the exercise. These included the following:
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New community meeting place***** Affordable broadband Keep positive about our community*** Youth social activities Increase the economic diversity of Heating the swimming pool** Berriwillock** Beautify our town** Communication newsletter* Green lake Reconstruct committees Availability of good quality health More social functions services Tourism at Green Lake (B&B) Walking track Caravan sites at the park
As can be seen from the list above, fifteen ideas and/or projects were developed around the five workshop tables.
The facilitator led discussion to group the ideas developed to reflect a smaller number of overall themes. Results of this exercise are shown in the Table below.
Maintain and develop community infrastructure New community meeting place Heating the swimming pool Beautify our town Caravan sites at the park Childcare Walking track
Maintain and build the community Keep positive about the community Communication newsletter Affordable broadband Availability of good health services Youth social activities Reconstruct committees More social functions
Local economic development Increase the economic diversity of Berriwillock Tourism at Green Lake (B&B)
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Participant Support for the Ideas/Proposals Developed
Participants were asked to indicate their support for the ideas/projects arising from the previous exercise through a voting process.
Participants were given „two‟ votes and asked to indicate their preference for actions across the 15 ideas/projects.
Participants could use both of their votes for one item.
The tables below indicate the distribution of votes across the ideas/projects.
Maintain and develop community 43 infrastructure New community building 28 Heating the swimming pool 5 Beautify the town 3 Caravan sites at the park 6 Childcare 1 Walking track 3
Maintain and build the community 16 Keep positive about the community 1 Communication newsletter 2 Affordable broadband 6 Availability of good health services 4 Youth social activities 3 Reconstruct committees More social functions
Local economic development 9 Increase the economic diversity of Berriwillock Tourism at Green lake 9
Development of the new community building was the standout project from this exercise. It was obvious that all residents of Berriwillock are behind this project and want to see it happen.
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Development of Action Plans
A number of the ideas/projects developed by workshop participants have been taken one step further than that achieved at the workshop by writing them up in an Action Plan format.
This action has not been taken to pre-empt any action from the workshop but simply to provide working examples of what it is hoped will be the next stage of the community planning process.
The Action Plans developed can, and should be changed, or even scrapped by members of the Berriwillock community when they meet to consider how to best move forward from the workshop.
The format of the Action Plans has been designed to give shape and context to the matters raised. Feedback on the format is welcomed.
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Project name Building the Berriwillock Community Centre Brief description of the community project Berriwillock Community Development Group work with the community to raise funds for the Berriwillock Community Centre project
Project objectives Develop a project resource team to research, develop and implement a fundraising strategy including grant applications and local fundraising activities. To meet with Councillors to share community enthusiasm for the project and gain commitment to a funding strategy To work with Council staff and other resources to develop a business plan for the new Centre that can be used as part of funding applications To work with Council and other resources to identify possible funding sources for the Centre To continue to grow community support for the project through communication and the sharing of information To continue to grow community ownership of the centre To develop a register of offers of material contributions to the project
Statement of benefits to the community The Berriwillock community has aspired to complete this project over many years. The construction and opening of the building will create a true heart for the community and a centre around which the community can build a strong future.
Range of community stakeholders Berriwillock Community Development Buloke Shire Council Group Berriwillock district residents RDV Non government funding bodies DPCD Federal Government
Initial action to commence the project Convene a meeting to form a resource team to lead the project through the next stage, raising the funds necessary to bring it to fruition.
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Project name Connecting Berriwillock Brief description of the community project The Berriwillock Community Development Group work with other community organisations, sporting clubs, traders and other groups in Berriwillock to further develop a regular community newsletter and to develop a community website.
Project objectives Improve community communication Encourage sharing of information Encourage internet use Create a tool to promote the spirit of Berriwillock within the community and to the wider world Build a profile for Berriwillock and Green Lake as a tourist destination Provide training to Berriwillock district young people in website design and maintenance Create an opportunity for former members of the Berriwillock community to stay in touch with family and friends Create a space where the history of Berriwillock and the families that have made Berriwillock what it is today can be recorded
Statement of benefits to the community To build on the current strong community spirit of Berriwillock residents Former residents and absent family members can be kept in touch with Berriwillock Develop a community history of Berriwillock for the current generation and future generations
Range of community stakeholders Berriwillock Community Development Buloke Shire Council Group Berriwillock district community DPCD Berriwillock business operators Community Domains Trust RDV Local History groups
Initial action to commence the project Berriwillock Community Development Group to investigate the community website concept with the Community Domains Trust Convene a meeting of residents interested in forming a small working party to continue to develop the Berriwillock newsletter Convene a meeting of residents to establish a small working party to begin the process of website design and construction Identify funding opportunities for website design and development
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Project name Beautiful Berriwillock Brief description of the community project Build on the good work already accomplished in developing the streetscape of Berriwillock and combine the development of the community complex with a design framework to enhance the Berriwillock townscape.
Project objectives Develop a Berriwillock Community Water plan that recognises water as a community resource. This to include working with the whole community and Council to identify opportunities to promote water tanks on all buildings and upgrading community water recycling system Investigate and design a sustainable community park layout including a small overnight caravan parking area Work with Council to develop a long term streetscape design for Berriwillock that reflects its history and the natural environment Work with local residents and building owners to enhance the appearance of town buildings. The townscpe shold help with telling the history of Berriwillock. Lobby resourcing bodies and government for funding support
Statement of benefits to the community The Berriwillock community to take control of all aspects of the townscape and to be actively involved in its design and development. Berriwillock to become known not just for its community spirit but also for its history and unique townscape. . Range of community stakeholders Berriwillock Community Berriwillock businesses Buloke Shire Council Regional Development Victoria (RDV) GWM Water Historical Society Schools Employment services Local media VFF DPCD
Initial action to commence the project Berriwillock Community Development Group convene a meeting of interested parties Meet with Buloke Shire Council to develop a plan Further brainstorming of ideas/concepts Develop a community engagement strategy Investigate funding opportunities
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