December 6th, 2021Design with Indre – Community driving change
Community campaigns seem to be the power that will direct change in the new year of 2020.
This year’s New Year celebrations were overshadowed by a greater natural disaster. We all experienced the impact from these catastrophic fires in some way and many will feel the devastation for years to come as they grieve their losses and begin on the road of rebuilding.
Fear, loss and devastation was thick in the air in Gippsland in the five days of my CFA deployment, pictured below – a briefing at Buchan. People from all walks of life worked side by side for a common good. I brought back much emotion from the fire- ravaged people and places to share and heal, as many others have done.
The outpouring of community spirit and aid has been astounding. We as a people come together in times of crisis but never before has the unity and action been so extensive. Action has been quick in happening and there are many organisations gathering funds and donations.
Survival of people, businesses and lives need continued strategies. What I am asking for is a consciousness when purchasing goods. Local is always best but when you don’t buy local, instead of turning to instant gratification in the many-aisled faceless shopping centres, look online for goods from fire- and drought-affected communities.
The “Buy from the Bush” campaign was started by Grace Brennan, a small business owner from NSW, to encourage consumers to buy from regional and rural communities affected by the drought. It is now a national movement connecting local and global consumers.
Zoe Manderson launched the “Roadtrip for Good” website to allow businesses in fire-impacted areas to put up their listings for free, to let travellers know what is still open and operating in regions. To drive business back to tourism operators and small business, this site includes a map guide and a trip planner to save favourite spots and allow you to create your own itinerary.
Alternatively, if you want your donation to go direct “It’s my Shout” website by Tenille Bull, allows users to buy virtual product such as coffee, beer, dinner or clothing from East Gippsland communities. You can “pay it forward” for somebody in need plus you are generating some business for fire-affected shops in what should be their high season but is now virtually a ghost town.
People have demonstrated their generous spirit and community-mindedness. There has been a lot of emotion and protests for accountability and change will hopefully arise. The power of the collective in driving change is being witnessed and I guarantee there will be much more to come.
Welcome to the year 2020. A new decade and for me, a new head shot. Gotta keep current.
indre@iokdesign.com.au www.indre@iokdesign.com.au
