MVRG recently had its first AGM where all office bearers were returned. Kerrie Dowling of Committee for Maryborough officiated and offered an insightful talk as to what the future may hold for the Maryborough and surrounds NFP sector. MVRG remains committed to delivering for our community. Through the FRRR initiative in Maryborough and their trust in our communities to deliver positive outcomes we can foster real initiatives that will make our lives better. These are exciting times.
It was MVRG’s absolute privilege to nominate the Goldfields Community Festival for best event these past Australia Day honours. It is a fabulous event focussing on community groups in our shire. Congratulations to Kerrie Dowling and the team for the work they do in bringing such an important event to Maryborough reinforcing the power of NFP groups in our communities.
Stemming from the FRRR initiative in Maryborough and the resultant call from our NFP community towards the need for a Hub, a feasibility study has kicked off with the appointment of Phillip Walker as the Project Coordinator. Phillip will soon be contacting groups and individuals around the shire so we ask our NFP members to start thinking about how a potential Hub may best work for them.
(Article and photo courtesy of the Maryborough Advertiser)
MVRG actively supports Zonta Central Goldfields in recognising the 16 days of Activism against domestic violence. A worldwide initiative to highlight the horror of violence against women and girls that still pervades our society. This year Zonta, together with the Maryborough District Hospital, organised a march through the streets of Maryborough to highlight and bring to notice the reality of domestic violence in our community, particularly against women and girls. Volunteerism not only includes being there for our extensive NFP community but also for supporting issues that concern all of us. Below is a link to the video of the march.
The Jeder Institute recently ran a one day “Foundations of Asset-Based Community Development” (ABCD) course at the iconic Maryborough Town Hall as part of a FRRR initiative.
It was for groups who have assets, people, networks, buildings, skills and ideas. It was about how to make the best use of those assets in engagement, connection and building community.
Attendees learnt a lot about how to identify, engage and build on our community assets, individuals and groups. MVRG members were present and all agreed it was a terrific day where the knowledge gained will enhance their initiatives moving forward.
FRRR workshops are always brilliant and the MVRG strongly recommends them to everyone. The highly skilled facilitators regularly work across the world and Australia There will be more opportunities coming down the track.
It is important to highlight the critical work that our local nfp organisations do across the shire. The MVRG is committed to realising and identifying through film those organisations. The Maryborough Street Harvest group provide support, necessary resources and a proactive approach to sustainable practices that can benefit all of us.
The MVRG is initiating a series of short films that highlight NFP groups across the shire because so many do not know what actually goes on in our shire. This is the first one featuring the Maryborough Community Garden, an initiative driven by passionate people who believe that community delivers through a common purpose.
We visited the Maryborough Community Garden group at work in their temporary base in Spring Street, where they grow and nurture vegetables and herbs for their community. Even though it’s a small plot they produce kilos of veggies each year. Please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MaryboroughCommunityGarden/
to check in with what they are up to and see if it’s something you’d be interested in. Another example of the vast network of Maryborough volunteers who work hard and selflessly for all of us right across the shire.
A very well attended Energy Breakthrough Kitchen Table Conversation event was held at the Community Hub. Thank you to those that turned up and contributed with their thoughts and ideas for the future of Energy Breakthrough in Maryborough. This was an important event, bringing community members together sharing ideas and having their voices heard.
