Second COW an engaging success
Part of the COW audience working with Facilitator Tim Mahar. Click image
On a very hot night more than 70 people participated in Violet Town's second Community Opportunity Workshop (COW).
Following the success of the COW in 2000 and the completion of most of the viable suggestions, it was time for more communication with the community.
On Tuesday 20 February 2007 the event commenced with an excellent supper provided by Kindergarten parents and staff before the workshop, allowing for interaction and readiness for the evening ahead.
Supper provided an opportunity for everyone to catch up with one another. Click the image
"Everyone seemed to enjoy the engaging and interactive nature of the small group discussions with an initial 'list some really good things about our town / district' to get everyone thinking positively." said David Arnold representing VTAG
With guidance and control facilitator Tim Mahar collected list of more than 70 suggested improvements, ranging from environmental issues such as recycling and water conservation through improving Violet Town's streetscapes and general appearance to strategic planning and to increased market options. There was even a suggestion that a solar tram run down the main street!
Suggestions for improvement are one thing but there has to be support by individuals if a suggestion is to become a reality. Many expressions of interest were received to support particular suggestions, and not only for those that were voted 'high priority'.
Everyone took the opportunity to have their say about the good things and improvements to Violet Town. Click the image
"Members of VTAG will now sort through the suggestions and will try to coordinate and facilitate our community efforts, but of course it is not possible for VTAG to do all the things that were suggested. Some can be done our own community effort and some can be achieved by negotiation with other authorities such as the Shire, Vicroads, the Education Dept and others". David Arnold continued
"Thank you to all the table facilitators, to Tim Mahar for again facilitating and coordinating Violet Town's workshop, to the kindergarten parents and staff who put on great food, to Kate Stothers for her keyboard skills recording suggestions from the floor and to everyone who came along to make it a really good night".
In the months ahead we can look forward to the start on the fully supported suggestions and invite everyone, including those who were not able to participate in the COW, to make contact and become involved in turning good suggestions into reality.
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858