1.
How we work:
our focus is more on what we want to create than what we are working against. our main currency is our collective energy, skill and enthusiasm. we feel our way as we go, allowing new directions to unfold and a freedom to respond to change and opportunities as they occur.

3. Are there aspects of our community’s past that we want to……
local food …. re-skilling ….. community sharing
local indigenous ways of knowing
valuing our elders….. locally generated energy…

4. to take into the future with us?
What will we
to take into the future with us?
hierarchies…..disempowerment….. us vs them…

5. What do we
…and want to ensure continues?

6. ….diverse community….

7. …our river and our beautiful environment…..

8. create? And finally, is there anything new that we need to ….
all available public space used for publicly available food (using saved seed)
herbs/veggies round fruit trees on nature strips, in planter boxes, green spaces (5)
edible useful plants in gardens, on verges in town everywhere  (fruit & nuts)(7)
public bushfood gardens
community gardens on public & other spaces (3)
permaculture everywhere – weekly permablitz (2)
food security organic and safe - locally grown (2)
community shared agriculture - local foods grown everywhere
 locally produced and maintained electricity (2)
· community owned renewable energy (solar/methane/wind farm etc) (4)
· harness energy from floods, damsels hydro (3)
· shared energy sources from homes into (shire-wide) standalone community grid (3)
· regional self sufficiency
·frequency-based power source
· no 'stand-by' on appliances
build and own our own hospital/ holistic medical centre
smoke free town (cigarettes)
water bottle refill stations
more drinking taps in town = less plastic
health & well being for aboriginal children (2)
conception, pregnancy, birth preparation & early post-natal cherished by everyone
creating a more gentle world by birthing gently, in a well-supported atmosphere
wholistic free health centre
community run wholistic birth centre - conception/pregnancy/birth/post & ante-natal,
sanctuary space to connect during pregnancy & birth, alternative to being at home (3)
every baby, child in Bello cherished/celebrated/ born into a circle of loving support (3)
support network for birth workers
youth /community centre /space (5)
make more use of church buildings
collective church/youth event/venue (rotational)
more youth/family controlled spaces(merge CWA,Sen Cits,Red Cross to free up space)
places and services for younger people - sport, film, theatre - especially at night
night time community gatherings in town (on Telstra site?)
late night music venues
large friendly space for the youth of Bellingen to organise their own centre
community-owned children's centre
mobile play-bus for children 0-5 & Mobile playgroup pm
safely fenced, decent playgrounds, better equipment (3)
community maintenance of communal buildings, infrastructure and  homes
eco village clusters, for young/old (3)
community housing pods -expand/contract/stage of life
sustainable design for all houses - living example of sustainable houses and gardens
all new development showcasing sustainable and affordable housing
community housing
affordable aesthetic accommodation
new housing integrated into the environment, more trees kept in developments
short term community housing assistance on farms/communities in return for work
use of local materials - hemp, timber, earth
locally made community housing plus shared micro-local resources
change laws to establish more communities outside of town eg Homelands (community title too expensive, multiple occupancy too small)
low cost housing with big gardens for veggies
paint the buildings in the main street

9. This is what we “did”….
Facilitated a Community Visioning process that was incorporated into the Bellingen Shire Council 2020 Community Plan
Facilitated monthly forums, workshops, and film nights that created important education and networking opportunities
Acted as an umbrella for Transition inspired initiatives such as FreeMarket, Seed Savers, Bellingen RiverFest, Bellopy Organic Markets, Bellingen Electricity Alliance, Permaculture Collective/Food Swap, Bellingen Shire Learning Alliance, Bellingen Sustainability Centre
Ran Reskilling workshops on food preserving, beekeeping, healing plants, breadmaking, cheesemaking……

10. And…..let it go where it needs to go
This is what we LEARNED…
“If you want to go fast, go alone…..if you want to go far, go together” (African proverb)
The people that are there are exactly the people that are supposed to be there
Work horizontally
Follow your passion
And…..let it go where it needs to go