Nearly 40 attendees also heard results from the region’s 11 drought resilience projects coordinated by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development over the past 18 months.
These included surveying existing housing and green spaces to better prepare for future droughts and heat, projects with migrant and first nations communities and community and business connection activities.
There were also projects investigating landholder’s key questions with truly independent studies around agriculture and energy, another looking at ways to better utilise the region’s weather station network, plus two leadership training courses to develop the skills and confidence of our regions up and coming and existing leaders.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Development CEO Chris Sounness said the projects, which involved 100s of regional people and dozens of events, had resulted in a more connected and coordinated approach preparing for drought in the region.
“This was achieved with the help of Wimmera Southern Mallee Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Group which oversaw the 11 projects and provided a forum for regional learning, coordination, and action on climate and resilience issues.
“We recognise the drought impacts farmers most directly but know there are significant flow on effects across the community. Last week’s event was about taking stock of what we’ve done, where we’ve made progress and what needs to come next.”
The event also built on a 2023 community co-design process which aimed to understand the wider impacts of drought beyond farming.
Event co-facilitator Pru Cook from Nine Creeks Consulting said it was rewarding to see a process start with community voices, lead to funded projects, and then come full circle with the community deciding what comes next.
“Participants identified key focus areas including housing, mental health, community leadership, and maintaining access to green spaces during drought,” she said.
“A number of business-related themes also emerged—ranging from individual upskilling and peer support to the importance of regionally coordinated services.
“One of the things I love about these conversations is how differently people approach problems. For mental health alone, we heard everything from the need for clinical services, to the power of connection, to the role of public spaces in making people feel supported,” Ms Cook said.
Proposed project ideas included expanding existing housing and green space initiatives, mapping local skills and networks, and piloting mentoring and skills-building programs.
One group proposed a peer learning initiative pairing older residents with younger locals, while another designed a professional development program tailored for rural women with young children.
Co-facilitator Katherine Durant said the mentoring idea had resonated with her
“It’s the kind of program that could help women build confidence and income in a way that fits their lives. That matters not just for family budgets, but for keeping women in our communities long-term.”
The 11 project were funded through FRRR’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative and Agriculture Victoria’s Regional Drought Resilience Program Implementation Grants.