Creating Community Change

If you love where you live and have some ideas on how to build an even better community, it’s time to learn your ABCDE.

The Asset Based Community Driven Effort program is lead by the dynamic Sarah McCormack from the City of Launceston who is passionate about creating stronger communities.

Sarah has been the driving force behind the program over the past seven years, setting up “Learning Sites” across different suburbs, to identify their assets, build connections and create change in the heart of their community.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the heart of the program is empowering local citizens to make change.

“I love the approach behind ABCDE which focusses on ‘what’s strong, not what’s wrong’”, Bridget said.

“Over the past few years, this has resulted in the development of the city’s first tool library, public art performances, community films, workshops and much more.”

Sarah McCormack said the learning sites present a great opportunity to connect people with their communities.

“It is a basic human right to connect and choose who and how to do this with others. Some people find this challenging, and Learning Sites enable connection and helps people overcome loneliness,” she said.

The latest community to benefit from this program is Invermay, with a Community Workshop to be held on Tuesday, 25 October.

For more information on ABCDE or to have a chat and get involved, please email sarah.mccormack@launceston. tas.gov.au

Located in the Inveresk precinct, opposite the University of Tasmania’s new Library and next to the popular Blue Café, is the Launceston Tramway Museum.

Wholly run by a team of dedicated volunteers, the Tramway Museum is a community-based organisation working to restore and revive old trams that once roamed the city.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the Museum, the Launceston Tramway Museum Society, is an important part of the culture and heritage of the Invermay area.

“The volunteers of the Museum are passionate about commemorating and preserving the history of Tramway system and educate visitors about the historical importance of the Tramway,” Mrs Archer said.

“As a not-for-profit contributing so much to the historical preservation of our city’s transport era, I was pleased the organisation was a recipient of the

Coalition’s Stronger Communities Program grant of just over $14,000 to purchase solar panels for their Inveresk building.”

Andrew Mackenzie, President of the Launceston Tramway Museum Society said the grant has made a significant impact on the sustainability of the organisation by reducing operational costs.

“Installing solar panels allows for the fiscal feasible operation of the tram by drawing on power generated by the solar panels,” Mr Mackenzie said.

The Museum is holding an open day on Saturday 29 October featuring free tram rides, free goody bags, a raffle and a BBQ. For more information visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/ LauncestonTramway