In our region, people just get stuff done...we invest very heavily in social capital.
Why is that?
Why can't we just all sit back and let Local, State and Federal Government get on with the job?
We at grass root level are working on what our immediate community needs and in many instances are just getting on with it...
With the rise of social media the community networking is on the increase when we used to meet at the pub and talk about things...now we are keyboard warriors, messaging each other encouraging each other to make changes.
Some would argue many of us still meet up at forums, over coffee or at local functions.
In the old days in our region, I have heard such stories about getting $h!t done.
One of my favorite stories is about a businessman a well-known giant of the timber industry who happened to ask why a certain visitor information centre hadn't been built.
The response was along the lines we don't have much money for materials.
Ongoing home and speaking to his lovely wife he made a few phone calls.
Several days later on the empty site, the community noticed large trucks delivering copious amounts of timber ready for building.
" No excuses now... just get on with it ", he was heard saying.
I have heard of wonderous stories similar to this one over regional Victoria.
One is a little closer to home.
So many years ago a local swim teacher Linda, was heavily invested in traveling around our shire and to neighboring shires teaching young children to swim. This was her passion and the children loved her easy teaching style.
In 2014 Linda was running a learn to swim project running locally where 140 families attended from across the Murrindindi region.
When that facility became unavailable the local families came together in a community meeting to work out what needed to be done....in a nutshell parents requested a new pool be found...it had to researched, found and or built.
After years of research, the group decided to build on that program started by Linda. The result is to build an above ground pool with a deck and to be more inclusive of all ages and abilities.
So they intend installing an all-access lift so that any persons who may be recovering from surgery, are wheelchair bound or in need of rehabilitation will have access to the pool with dignity.
The indoor heated pool will be open to the general public (spanning the entire Murrindindi Shire) via fee for service sessions for all ages in the areas of water safety, structured fitness and therapy classes.
So today where is the project at?
Well for the first time, a very innovative; your choice - your community style round of grant funding has been rolled out this year.
Some are calling it the lotto of grants or selective community choice grants.
Personally, I think its reflective on communities now, its a newer empowering process, along with the line of local government areas and their community planning rollouts.
These newer programs are more inclusive and more responsive as residents get to choose how their towns develop. As with anything new, only time will tell.
So the grant program is Pick my Project. There are 30 nominated projects in our immediate area, which is excellent given the tierney of distance, population and diverse needs of each community.
Here are the 11 near Alexandra.
Some are calling it the lotto of grants or selective community choice grants.
Personally, I think its reflective on communities now, its a newer empowering process, along with the line of local government areas and their community planning rollouts.
These newer programs are more inclusive and more responsive as residents get to choose how their towns develop. As with anything new, only time will tell.
So the grant program is Pick my Project. There are 30 nominated projects in our immediate area, which is excellent given the tierney of distance, population and diverse needs of each community.
Here are the 11 near Alexandra.
Alexandra Indoor Heated Pop Up Pool
Alexandra Youth Innovation Lab Pilot Project
Alexandra Youth Recreational Precinct
Alexandra Beasties
Secret agents society Program for children with ASD
Alexandra Share shed - a library of things
Community Cinema
The Scout and Community Shed
Soft Grass court to hard court
fully activating our community open space - innovative lighting project
From little things, big things grow! Food Van.
How diverse are these? Clever people with clever ideas.
#lovewhereilive #loveit
So check out Pick my project in your local area and vote.
Its free and you get to pick 3!