Earlier this month, local leaders, volunteers, and community groups came together at the Orbost Arts Centre for the second workshop in a series focused on strengthening connections and collaboration across the Orbost and District area.
The workshop, Building Orbost and District Together: Place-based Leadership & Governance, brought together 16 passionate locals to explore what kind of leadership and teamwork can best support the region’s future. Through hands-on activities and lively discussion, participants created a shared purpose statement and seven guiding principles to help shape how the community works together.
One of the key outcomes from the day was the formation of a new core working group. This team will meet regularly over the next six weeks to turn workshop ideas into real actions. ABV Volunteer, Bruce Levett, will be acting as “a critical friend” and governance support for the community as they work through the next steps. Their goal: to support community-led projects and strengthen connections between local groups and organisations.
Participants also identified several important roles that a future “umbrella” group or network could play, including:
These ideas will contribute to the development of a proposed Community Connector Network (final name to be confirmed) — a flexible, action-oriented model that values local knowledge, supports innovation, and strengthens collaboration. It is designed to increase visibility across existing community organisations, while also creating space for smaller interest-based groups to emerge and focus on initiatives that also deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for the region.
"The energy and ideas in the room were inspiring. Now we’re turning that momentum into action by focusing on communications – the foundation for stronger collaboration across Orbost."
— Natascha Wernick, Program Facilitator Community Development, Australian Business Volunteers.
“This is all about finding better ways of working together as a community for collective impact.” – Liz Mitchell, Chair Future of Orbost & District project Government Group.
The energy and commitment shown at the workshop highlight Orbost and District’s readiness to move from ideas to action. With a shared purpose, strong principles, and a growing network of local champions, the community is well on its way to creating a more connected and resilient future—one that celebrates local strengths and makes space for everyone to be part of the journey.
The initiative has been supported through a partnership between the members of the Governance Group of Future of Orbost & District project and Australian Business Volunteers.
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) are supporting these events as a part of the Resilient Regions program, funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.
The Future of Orbost & District (FoOD) project is a response to the impacts of the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests, and the need to transition the local economy. The project is delivered by the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is overseen by a community-led governance group.
