FEATURE I COMMUNITY
Why Community Matters Community can mean different things to different people. At its heart, the creation of social ties is as important as ever to people with regards to their identity, and roles in social institutions like family, home, work, government or society. By Liz Foster.
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ane Cove and its surrounding suburbs have always offered a vibrant and varied range of community interests for locals. In fact, Lane Cove Council was the first government body to introduce a Community Aid service in 1961, a model soon adopted by other local governments across the country The Plaza, which opened in 1977, was the first pedestrian mall created in New South Wales. Considered radical for its day, it has become an integral part of Lane Cove village life for residents and visitors from further afield, hosting local events and supporting schools, churches, clubs and local groups. Technology provides new and easier ways for people to connect with their tribes and sample new ones if they have the urge, opening access to a myriad of new community connections. There’s really something for everyone once you jump down the Google hole. The Australian Living History Federation, for example, boasts 20 ‘Early’ Medieval groups alone (not to be confused with Medieval), and several more from Ancient through to the 20th century. It’s hard to know how all these people found each other before the information superhighway took over. Despite increasingly rapid changes to residential infrastructure, the good news is that local communities are thriving. And whilst community can mean a thousand different things, the trick is to find your tribe. Always fancied singing but haven’t felt brave enough to try? Lane Cove choir Aqualuna takes people from all ages and abilities with the simple common interest of a love to sing. If singing’s not your bag, how about art classes? Centrehouse offers classes to young and old all year round. As a focal point you can’t go past the library; books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs and audio books in multiple languages and all free of
4 I THE VILLAGE OBSERVER I NO. 259 I FEBRUARY 2017
After living in Lane Cove North for over 60 years, Jean Pope has seen many changes to the area.
Whilst community can mean a thousand different things, the trick is to find your tribe.
charge to use or borrow. It’s not unusual to see a school student studying alongside a retiree reading the Chinese News. There are also several different monthly talks on topics ranging as widely as the Battle of Fromelles to environmental architecture. In the Cove, a community based website connecting local residents and businesses in Lane Cove, has literally dozens of local groups posted on its pages whether it be English conversation classes, a photography forum, music groups, a seniors computer club, meditation forums and more. If you’re housebound then you can even connect via Skype, or watch videos and join online forums. When Jean Pope and her husband Ray built their house in Ulm Street, Lane Cove North more than 60 years ago, the street consisted mainly of 34 vacant blocks. She’s seen a few changes over the years, but has she noticed a change in community spirit? “The community sense here was always wonderful. We had Cracker Night each year and built an enormous bonfire in the park. All the families came, we threw crackers and had a drink or two. The children all grew up together.” Although it might not be possible to light a bonfire in the bushland park any more, the idea of regeneration in the street is sustained and residents have held an annual street party for the past 15 years. “At least once a year you get to know new people and say hello to everyone else,” says Mrs Pope. In fact, one resident who’s since retired to the northern beaches still returns every year for it. MP for Willoughby and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian agrees. In addition to wide-ranging responsibilities and demands on her time, she regularly attends local community events such as school presentations and performances.
