When education and business consultant Briony Arnold was a child in the mid 1980s, her family suffered the devastating loss of their Mukinbudin wheat and sheep farm to drought.
The property was pioneered by her great grandparents. It reared 3 generations of the family who were all part of the farm work and lifestyle. Everyone had a role no matter how young or old. Besides supporting the family financially, the farm provided a central meeting point for extended members, including Yamatji family from across WA who would visit often.
But when drought struck and the farm business was eventually no longer sustainable, Ms Arnold remembers it completely split up the family, scattering relatives across Australia in search of work.
The resulting loss of connection and identity for the family would reverberate for many years to come.
Rising to the challenge
Nowadays, through her variety of working roles, Ms Arnold brings communities together to build their capacity and help ensure everyone can thrive – even in challenging times such as drought.
She will share insights gained and successful outcomes achieved from her inclusive approach to community development as guest speaker at the sixth and final workshop in a series running throughout 2024, organised by South West NRM.
Ms Arnold encouraged the creation of innovative opportunities in which communities could come together, share in their collective experiences and showcase the sometimes hidden strengths of its people.
But she said it was important to ensure every part of the community had a voice in the planning phase.
“It’s important to ask: ‘Are all community cohorts at the table? Are we getting everyone’s perspectives on this?” she said.
Building a Community Resilience Network
The workshop series is designed to inform development of a Community Resilience Network in preparation for the predicted increase in drought events and evidence of the expected associated social impacts.
South West NRM has partnered with Community Resource Centres throughout the South West to assist with delivery of the workshops.
The aim of the Community Resilience Network project is to:
- Increase community access to suitable support services, especially early intervention tools that help to build individual and community resilience;
- Share resources and learnings to develop partnerships across the region;
- Develop plans to further build community resilience.
Sustainable Agriculture Manager Peter Clifton said: “The meetings are held online and at CRCs in Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Donnybrook, Brunswick and Manjimup.”
Workshop 6, featuring a presentation by Ms Arnold, is on 13 September, 2024 at 12pm for one hour.
Participation in previous workshops is not required for joining in workshop 6 and community members are encouraged to participate.
To find out more or register your interest in the Community Resilience Network get in touch with one of the CRCs listed above or contact Peter Clifton on 0409 680 900 or [email protected]
Register for Workshop 6 via the button below.
This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. It is one of five ‘Surviving the Dry’ projects throughout the South West.
