A Different Warrawong - Case Study

A small, neighbourhood level consultation held at Warrawong Community Centre attracted people who lived in the local area. The group included some homeless men who met frequently to pass the day together in a lane at the back of the Neighbourhood Centre; some long term Warrawong residents; some older people; and a couple of people from public housing estates.

Representatives of the Coomaditchie community also attended. Coomaditchie is an Aboriginal settlement on the edge of Warrawong.

The local people became very involved in an animated discussion about their area. The starting point was the many problems facing the community – substance abuse, gambling; syringes in the street; street violence; property crimes; fear of crime. A few local people with vision spoke of the powerlessness that local people have to tackle the big problems, but that small changes could make a difference. This resident said that hunger is a widespread problem in the cash strapped community. Hunger is one motivator for petty crime, and it could be fixed by setting up a community kitchen.

Other residents quickly became enthused about this suggestion and talked about the kitchen as being a way to integrate local people from all walks of life. There was a great readiness from people in the group to give their time on a voluntary basis to support a community kitchen.

Enthusiasm started to build, and became contagious. Next came the idea that local people could work together to have a community garden where they could grow produce to supply the community kitchen. Here, the Coomaditchie people responded, saying they had land available that would be suitable for garden. They stated that they wanted to help Warrawong people and subsequently would be happy to help set up a garden to support the kitchen. This would also benefit unemployed people and people with disabilities as they would be able to help run the garden.

Another local resident then spoke about people in the area who have skills and can make, or grow, all sorts of things, but there is no outlet for their creativity. The strong multi-cultural nature of Warrawong has brought together a community with many talents. This resident suggested, why don’t we start a local growers and makers market? People could use their talents and make some money.

Ideas just kept on flowing. It culminated with a vision for an annual festival to celebrate the natural beauty of Lake Illawarra (adjacent to Warrawong) and the cultural diversity of Warrawong people. It will be known as a “Lake festival” and will have activities on the Lake as a major feature.

The special things that happened in this discussion were, firstly, Coomaditchie offered help and it was welcomed. This has opened a possibility for reconciliation between Indigenous and non Indigenous peoples at this local level.

Secondly, local people came to the meeting discouraged and desperate, overwhelmed with the problems of the area. But they left with a vision of Warrawong as a positive place to live; that something could be done; and they could do it together; that there is purpose, and there is hope. This was a big change in the hearts and minds of Warrawong people that may manifest in ways that cannot yet be anticipated.

For further information

Contact	:	Community Solutions, Communities Division, Department of Community Services
Email	:	communitysolutions@communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au

WWW

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http://www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au