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.

Lane 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 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.

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.

Tasia Doukakis from Mowbray Eatery says that whilst community change is rapid and inevitable, there are always constants that people look for.

Principal of Mowbray Public School Anna Blakeney says the school’s sense of community is one of the things they value most.

“The beauty of community is that it provides a framework for people who might not have family nearby. It really can provide the support of a village in the traditional sense.”

Mowbray Eatery co-owner Tasia Doukakis believes that whilst community change is rapid and inevitable, there are always constants that people look for. The restaurant is part of St. Peters Green on Mowbray Road, a Catholic residential aged care home. With Mowbray Public School just down the road, multiple residential construction sites nearby and the leafy suburban streets of Lane Cove North and Chatswood West behind it, the clientele could not be more varied.

But Ms Doukakis insists that whilst the pace, hours and menu format might change from one community to another, there are still elements that work for everyone.

“It’s more about what appeals to people at their heart, like good friendly service and fresh food made from scratch. All people want great food regardless of where they live, otherwise they don’t eat out.”

After community feedback that people wanted somewhere local to walk for dinner (one neighbour comes every Thursday night without fail) the restaurant now serves farmto-table style meals three nights a week. It’s not unusual to see families spanning four generations celebrating special occasions.

When Principal Anna Blakeney joined Mowbray Public School in 1995, she noticed a difference from other schools in the locality.

“Mowbray was very small – around 190 children compared to other schools with up to 800 pupils. The sense of community was completely different. It had a very close knit feel, very like a rural school, and quite unique for the city.”

Mowbray Public School’s recent rebuild has now transformed it into an awardwinning state-of-the-art education facility with connecting classrooms and upgraded outdoor space for up to 1,000 pupils. It has led to the school’s immediate growth in Kindergarten and Year 1 from new young families now living in the feeder area.

Has Anna noticed a change in the closeknit feel since the school’s redevelopment and expansion?

“One of our biggest challenges has been to preserve and maintain community focus and support. We had to fully uproot and transplant all the staff and children not once but twice – first into the mini city of demountables during the rebuild, and then back again into the new school.”

She maintains that the school’s growth, whilst changing its intimate nature, can still enhance and add to the vibrant community appeal that’s been built up over the years. In fact the school’s grounds and aspect are so unique and beautiful that families keep coming back.

“We recently hosted some staff visitors from a school in Newcastle - when they left at around 4pm they commented ‘don’t your children ever leave’!”

There are few things more precious than seeing a neighbourhood community reach out to those in need during challenging times. During a recent illness where I was housebound, neighbours delivered coffee to my doorstep, walked the dog and gave my children lifts. It felt like a giant communal hug.

If you can’t find like-minded people in your area, then try forming your own community interest group. It can be as simple as starting your own street party or book group. Chances are there are plenty of other people out there just like you.

To quote Mother Teresa:

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

Community is much more than your local neighbourhood.