Welcome to
Building Communities, One Action at a Time
This guide is packed with simple, low-cost ideas to help you make a positive impact in your community. Whether you’re an individual or part of a group, these 50 quick actions - that have already been successfully delivered by people just like you - will help you connect, engage, and build a thriving, more connected place.
Think of it as a recipe book for community action! Each Quick Win is easy to implement, requires minimal resources, and doesn’t need much approval. They’re perfect for kickstarting a new project, energising your team, or attracting volunteers. Best of all, they create instant momentum, build trust, and strengthen local connections.
This publication is proudly brought to you by the Town Team Movement as part of ACT LOCAL: Flourishing Communities Through Active Citizenship - a new initiative designed to support and celebrate people taking positive action in their local areas. Funded by the Department of Communities through the Volunteering Development Services Program, ACT LOCAL is all about inspiring individuals and groups by providing practical tools, uplifting stories, connections, and training. It’s here to spark ideas, encourage active citizenship, and strengthen the social fabric of our communities - one small action at a time.
Ready to get started? Dive into the 50 Quick Wins and let’s create lasting change together.
Let’s start making a difference today!
Why Should You Get Involved?
Getting involved in your community isn’t just about helping others - it’s about enriching your own life. It fosters a sense of belonging, helps you build meaningful relationships, and supports your mental and physical well-being. Whether you're volunteering, joining local events, or supporting community projects, your efforts create a stronger, more connected place to live.
At the same time, getting involved opens the door to personal and professional growth. You can gain new skills, expand your network, and even inspire others to take part. Every small action contributes to a ripple effect of positive change, making your community - and your role in it - stronger than ever.
Ready to make a difference?
The benefits of getting involved are endless - and it’s a journey that’s rewarding for you and your whole community. Whether you’re building relationships, improving your well-being, or growing personally and professionally, your contributions create lasting
Let’s work together to
Want to Create Even Better Places?
If you're excited about making a difference in your community, why not take your impact to the next level?
Through the ACT LOCAL program, you can access free Placemaking Education courses - perfect for community champions, volunteers, and anyone who wants to help their neighbourhood thrive. Whether you're just starting out or want to deepen your placemaking knowledge, these courses will give you the tools, ideas, and confidence to create more connected, welcoming places.
Head to the ACT LOCAL website to get started and explore a range of practical resources designed to support you on your community-building journey.
Let’s turn good ideas into great places - together.
Jane's Walk 1
A Jane’s Walk is a hosted walk around a neighbourhood, with a focus on sharing local knowledge and stories. Nature Golden BayTow n maeT
INGREDIENTS:
☐ An area you want to explore
☐ Retailers, residents or others to share their stories about the place
☐ Put the call out for people to join you on the walk
Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs and takes place on the first weekend of May.
METHOD:
1. To prepare, grab a friend and go for a walk around your area.
2. Listen, observe, and learn interesting things about the place. Knock on some doors and ask a few people to see if they would like to share their stories of the area. Contact your local council or historical society to learn more about the area.
3. Work out a day, time, a walking route and a schedule.
4. Once you have a route planned; invite your community to join you on this walking conversation. Promote walk on your local community channels and/or print flyers and do a maildrop.
Love Letters 2
Get to know the community
Share the love for your local businesses by writing them a heartfelt appreciation letter!
Valentine’s Day is a great excuse, but really - any day is the perfect day to spread a little kindness. Your local cafes, shops, and service providers are often the unsung heroes of the neighbourhood. Let’s show them how much they matter.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Coloured paper - red, pink, or anything bright and cheerful
☐ Markers, scissors, and tape or Blu Tack
☐ A dash of imagination and a sprinkle of community spirit
METHOD:
1. Write a short note to a local business, sharing what you love about them—maybe their great coffee, friendly service, or how they care for their space.
2. Use coloured card or cut your note into a heart shape to make it extra special.
3. Tape your love letter to the business’s front door or window in the early morning for a heartwarming surprise when they open up, or hand it over in person to brighten their day.
Adopt a Bus Stop 3
How inviting is your local bus stop?
Approval may be required
A few small touches can make waiting more pleasant and show pride in your place. By caring for your local stop, you’re not only supporting commuters - you’re adding a little spark of joy for everyone passing by.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A local bus stop that needs a bit of love
☐ Cleaning gear – brush, dustpan, cloths or wipes
☐ Something welcoming – a seat, potted plant, or flower vase
☐ A creative touch – think art, a book swap shelf, or colourful signage
METHOD:
1. Get support from your community, contact your local council and discuss your idea. You can clean bus stop and create pop-up installation or library without approval but you may need approval for mural, we encourage you to work with your local government
2. Give your adopted stop a clean and tidy - is there any graffiti or rubbish that needs to be removed? Can you sweep the ground?
3. With a clean and tidy bus stop canvas, you can now go about beautifying it. Add some colour, plants or seating if required.
4. Remember to consider accessibility and safety when making any additions to your adopted bus stop - approvals may be required.
Street Library 4
A community street library is a communal 'box of things' (usually books) that people can contribute to or borrow from.
METHOD:
1. Find a reasonably prominent place people walk by, find or make a box with a lid or door so people can open and shut it.
2. Place it somewhere people can reach it.
3. Pop a sign on it so people know what it is and invite them to use it!
4. Then put a call out for locals to contribute books and other items others in your community maybe interested in borrowing!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A private or public space to put a library
☐ A box, cabinet on legs or on a ledge or pole
☐ A sign ie: "The Mullalyup Street Library"
☐ Books or other items for the library (you can do a community call out)
☐ An invitation (online or letterbox drop!)
Stick Library for Dogs
Dogs love to play too! This little library is a quirky way to provide a bit of fun for our four-legged friends.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Sticks
☐ Sign and/or Box
☐ Sense of humour
METHOD:
1. Make a simple sign, perhaps some paint on a piece of old cardboard reading ""Stick Library"" and install it in a park with a pile of sticks. If you want to you could use an old crate or box, or keep it simple.
2. Bring your own dog or encourage others to borrow a "toy" and play a game of fetch.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Lights such as solar fairy lights or festoon lights
☐ Something to attach them to, eg a tree, pole or a fence
METHOD:
1. Wrap or string your chosen lights to a tree, fence or bollard in your neighbourhood. Remember to place the solar panel where it can get plenty of sun (high up often works best).
2. Enjoy the twinkling lights as the sun goes down.
This is a great way to activate your street, meet new people, and make your street friendlier and safer by encouraging people (particularly seniors) to linger for longer.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A bench or seat in front of your house or business or local park.
☐ Optionally dog water bowl and/or pop-up library
METHOD:
1. Put some furniture outside your house, business or local park to make people feel welcome
Host a Competition
An informal (or more serious) competition can provide an excuse for people to contribute or celebrate something unique about an area. Examples could include: a best photo of the area competition, a dog show, a bake-off (lasagne, cake, scones etc), best coffee or barista contest, best nature strip garden challenge or shop window competition.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Choose the competition topic
☐ Choose the location (find a partner venue, ie local pub, community organisation)
☐ Work out the process including:
- how do people register, - how are the winners chosen
- how will it be promoted - prizes and glory
☐ Incentivise community-led action!
METHOD:
1. Make it simple, fun and creative
2. Promote and encourage people to get involved
3. Go through the process
4. Find the winners and celebrate!
Community Busy Bee 9
Find a place that needs some extra love and organise a community busy bee! Some cleaning, gardening, little bit of paint, second hand furniture can give a new life to every place.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Cleaning and gardening materials/tools
☐ Second hand furniture, outdoor cushions, books for pop-up library
Plants
Paint
Chalk
METHOD:
Get to know the community
1. Identify a space that needs a spruce up.
2. Invite your friends, family, neighbours and local businesses to come and help. (word of mouth, social media, posters or flyers)
3. Clean the area, add some furniture (seating, coffee table), pop-up library, community art, plants.
4. Enjoy relaxing in your newly refreshed space!
Mow Someone's Lawn 10
We've all seen that house on the street with the overgrown lawns and gardens, perhaps the owner hasn't got the means to keep it tidy themselves. Helping someone with their lawn not only makes the place look better, both you and the recipient of your service will feel good too!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Lawn mower ☐ Personal safety equipment - boots, hearing and eye protection ☐ A lawn in need of mowing
METHOD:
1. Locate a lawn in need of a mow
2. Speak to the owner to gain their permission
3. Mow the lawn
4. Clean up and compost lawn clippings
5. Admire your handiwork!
Shop Local Campaign 11
Local businesses are the economic heart of our communities and usually run by local people. Supporting small business has many benefits including: accessing products grown and made in your area, fostering personal connections, keeping money local, and it can be more cost effective.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Shop local flyers / signs
☐ Social media channel
☐ Local businesses
Get to know the community
METHOD:
1. Shop local more often (instead online or supermarkets)
2. Promote your local businesses through social media, a flyer drop or even organise a farmer's market for local producers.
3. Focus on a different small business each week.
4. You could interview the owner and share their story to create personal connection.
5. Leaving online reviews of businesses also helps to get eyes on them.
12
Catch Up at the pub or local cafe
Get to know the community
One of the easiest ways to bring your community together, is to simply ask people to get together.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Community Members
☐ Venue
☐ Invitation
METHOD:
1. Pick a time, date and location for your catch up; it could be at your local cafe or the pub.
2. Invite people - this could be verbally, via social media or letterbox drop.
3. You might want to organise some name stickers or conversation starter questions, however often informal, organic gatherings spark the best connections.
Neighbourhood Soup 13
Get to know the community
Neighbourhood SOUP is a crowdfunding initiative that brings people together to support community led activations. Community members pitch their ideas as guests share a meal of soup and bread, then vote for their favourite pitch. The winner takes home a cash grant to implement their initiative.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Venue
☐ Soup and Bread
☐ Tokens for voting
☐ 4 pitchers to pitch ideas
☐ MC
METHOD:
1. Choose a time, date and place for your event.
2. Start to sell tickets, these are usually around $10
3. Put the call out for pitchers who have an idea that will improve your local community.
4. At the event, guests receive soup, bread and a vote.
5. 4 pitchers, pitch their idea in just 4 minutes, with 4 minutes for questions.
6. Diners then vote for their favourite idea, with the winner taking home the kitty raised from ticket sales to implement their idea.
Sundowner Picnic 14
Get to know the community
Bring your picnic blanket, dinner and drinks to enjoy a sundowner picnic. This is a family friendly, inclusive and informal way to meet new people and strengthen relationships in your community.
METHOD:
1. Choose a location for your sundowner, a park, beachfront or public open space is perfect!
2. Invite local families to BYO picnic, or a takeaway from a local eatery.
3. Encourage interaction through lawn games or activities, or just let people mingle organically.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Picnic blanket
☐ Picnic dinner
☐ Lawn games - optional
Paint n Sip 15
Embrace your inner artist with a Paint 'n' Sip event. As the drinks start flowing, so do the creative juices - what masterpieces will your community create? Arts
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Tables and chairs
☐ Canvas
☐ Paint, Palettes, Brushes
☐ Towels and Water for clean up
☐ Food and drinks
METHOD:
1. Invite your community to create their own masterpiece at a paint'n'sip event. You could use blank canvas, follow an artist's instructions or paint an object such as plaster cast gnomes!
2. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine or beer as they paint, chat and enjoy getting creative. Depending on your venue, guests might purchase food and drinks or BYO.
A tasty twist on ice cream sundae - invite your community for ice cream on Sunday!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Table to serve from
☐ Bowls + spoons
☐ Ice cream, toppings, sprinkles.
METHOD:
1. Set up a table with ice cream, sprinkles, sauce, fruit and invite your guests to create their own epic ice cream sundae to eat.
2. This activity is a great one to set up on your front lawn and invite your neighbours to - kids absolutely love it!
Long Table Lunch 17
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Tables + chairs
☐ Table decorations
☐ Cutlery + crockery
☐ Food + drinks to share
METHOD:
Get to know the community
1. Choose a location for your long table lunch, perhaps in a park, laneway or on your front lawn.
2. Invite your community to join you, this event is really easy if people pitch in with their own tables, chairs, and food to share.
3. Perhaps hold a competition for best table decorations to get guests really invested.
4. Enjoy a meal with your community.
Yoga in the Park 18
Yoga has so many health benefits, as does being outside and connecting with your community. Join all these elements together with a yoga practice in the park.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Yoga mat or towel
☐ Open space
Garage Sale Trail 19
One person's trash is another's treasure! A garage sale is a great way to clear out your clutter, rehome items and make some money all at the same time. A garage sale trail coordinates many sales on one day benefiting both buyers and sellers!
METHOD:
1. Engage a local yoga teacher to offer an open air class in your local park. This might be free for participants or for a small fee.
2. Making the class beginner friendly is an inclusive way to gain participantsremember you don't need fancy equipment - just clothes you can move in and a towel is all you need to nourish your body and soul.
3. Invite your community, post on local social media groups, door knocking or maildrop
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Neighbours ready to hold a garage sale
☐ Garage Sale signs
☐ Pre-loved treasures to sell
METHOD:
1. Speak to your friends and neighbours to agree on a date to hold your garage sale trail. There is a national event in November if you wanted to go all out!
2. Advertise through signs on nearby street corners, and your local online chat group.
3. Price and display your items for sale
4. Put on a smile and get ready to welcome your customers.
Book Club 20
Bring people together regularly over a shared love of books, reading and talking with others.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Book or eBook you've read
METHOD:
1. Invite people to join you at a local cafe, library or community space.
2. Discuss your book of the month, this might be one title everyone is tasked with reading, or bring along your latest read to share.
3. Some book clubs dedicate some time to silent reading together during their meetup.
Bonfire Night 21
Like moths to a flame, bring people together over a bonfire in your place.
**Whilst a bonfire is a wonderful social event, fire can be dangerous! Make sure to have someone responsible actively supervising the fire, safety equipment on hand and abide by all local fire bans and restrictions.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Fire pit or Brazier or prepared bonfire site
☐ Kindling and Wood
☐ Safety equipment - fire extinguisher or water source
☐ Matches or lighter
METHOD:
1. Choose an appropriate site, time and date for your bonfire
2. Link in with your local council or bushfire brigade for approval and advice
3. Invite your community to come along and enjoy the warmth and company around your fireplace
4. Perhaps you might like to roast marshmallows or have a sing-a-long too!
Buy Nothing Market
A buy nothing market involves no exchange of money! Instead market goers are encouraged to gift items they no longer need, or take home a new treasure. This style of market contributes to the circular economy as well as fostering connections within the community.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Venue e.g. community hall, local park or footpath in front of local cafe
☐ Social media and/or flyers to advertise your market
☐ Tables to display items
☐ Pre-loved treasures to gift
METHOD:
1. Choose a location for your buy nothing market, an easy to access public space near a local cafe or community hub works well.
2. Promote your market on local social media groups, community noticeboards, and by putting up posters in nearby cafes, libraries, and shops. Encourage people to bring a few items they no longer need - or just come along to browse and find a new-tothem treasure.
3. Enjoy a relaxed setting where people can chat, connect, and maybe grab a coffee while they browse. It’s as much about community as it is about sharing things.
4. At the end of the market, take home any items you brought that weren’t claimed. You can bring them again next time or donate them elsewhere - whatever works best.
Bubble Bonanza 23
Bubbles of fun for everyone!
Create a festival of bubbles for kids and big kids alike.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Bubble mixture
☐ Bubble wands of varying sizes
☐ Buckets
☐ Bubble machines
METHOD:
1. A bubble bonanza can be as informal or formal as you like. One way to bring a bit of joy to your community is to simply set up a bubble station on your main street on the weekend and invite passers by to participate.
2. Have a range of bubble wands available to use, perhaps include giant bubble wands or everlasting bubbles.
3. A speaker playing fun pop tunes and a bubble machine will entice even more people to join in the festivities.
Chalk Fun 24
Chalk is an easy and temporary art medium to create a masterpiece, set up an obstacle course or simply express yourself through art.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Chalk
☐ Hard surface to draw on.
METHOD:
1. There are no rules on how you can use chalk to activate your place.
2. You could draw hopscotch on your pavement and encourage people to play.
3. You could leave the box out and see what masterpieces people draw
4. You could encourage colouring in pavers in different colours.
5. There's no limit to what can be created with a few sticks of chalk and a lot of imagination.
Dinner on your Driveway
Driveway drinks or dinners are fun and super easy! Instead of enjoying a few drinks, a BBQ or even dinner in the backyard, why not swing around to the front yard or driveway? Help to make your street safer, friendlier and more fun the relaxing way!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Table and chairs
☐ Your dinner
Play streets temporarily reclaim a quiet residential street to create a place for neighbours of all ages to connect and play and build stronger and healthier communities.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A street
☐ Local people of all ages
METHOD:
1. Instead of eating your dinner inside, bring a table and chairs to your driveway and eat outdoors.
2. Perhaps invite your neighbours to join you.
METHOD:
1. Scan the QR code to get some ideas
2. Check with your local government has a Meet your Street or other program that can support Play Street monetary or in-kind (giant games etc)
3. Talk to your neighbours about the idea and invite them to get involved
4. Invite your neighbours to Play Street - door knocking, flyers
5. Start small and test the idea
Box City 27
Simple ideas are often the best! Box City is a quick, cheap, family-friendly activity that can keep kids amused for ages, allowing parents to relax and chat.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Empty cardboard boxes
☐ Gaffer tape
☐ Scissors
☐ An empty space (e.g. park, street verge or car park)
METHOD:
1. Collect empty cardboard boxes from shops, department stores or residents.
2. Tip – whitegoods boxes are fantastic!
3. Tape them up and then put them into a space to play with.
4. Add some extras for adults likes drinks, music or a food truck
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A4 paper
☐ Something to mark out a start line e.g. chalk, tape or cones
METHOD:
1. Challenge participants to make a paper plane that flies the furthest!
2. You can have everyone launch their planes at the same time, or run heats, or run the event over a longer timeframe keeping track of the distance to beat.
3. There might be a prize for the winner or just award bragging rights until next time.
Block Party 29
Playful Intervention 30
Why are public spaces so serious? Playful interventions with a serious intent can help to attract different people to use a space, but is also a simple and fun way to bring joy into everyday activities.
Block Party is a party put on by and for the residents and local businesses of a local block or neighbourhood. It can be as small or as large as you like, often a small group of residents on a residential street is a great place to start!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Venue - private or public land like street, parking, town centre, laneway
☐ Furniture - BYO chairs or any furniture, crates, picnic blankets, cushions
☐ Entertainment - music
☐ Activities like games or chalk
☐ Food - bring a plate or catering from local businesses
METHOD:
1. Choose a venue for your block party
2. Organise music, some food, and places for people to sit
3. Invite guests
4. Have a good time!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Get creative - it might be chalking out a "skipping only zone", adding hopscotch with numbers in different languages, playful signage or one of dozens of other playful interventions
METHOD:
1. Choose a space and imagine what might be possible here.
2. Chalk or washable paint is a great way to make an idea come to life very quickly!
Playing in the front yard 31
Where is everyone? Suburban streets are often quiet—not because people aren't home, but because they're all inside.
This simple idea encourages you and your family to bring life back to the front yard. Whether it's kids playing, adults gardening, exercising, or simply relaxing and watching the world go by, being visible helps spark connection and neighbourly moments.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A picnic blanket and/or camping chairs
☐ Toys, games, or outdoor activities
☐ Anything that encourages being outside and visible—music, snacks, books, plants, pets!
METHOD:
1. Set up a comfy spot in your front yard with chairs or a picnic rug.
2. Add some games, toys, or an activity to keep things fun and relaxed.
3. Hang out, play, wave at neighboursand see what connections unfold!
Christmas Caroling 32
Spread some Christmas cheer to your town centre by singing Carols for Christmas OR Christmas in July!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Portable speaker
☐ Song books
☐ Festive outfits - optional
☐ Christmas cheer!
METHOD:
1. Print up some songbooks and compile a playlist.
2. Put on your favourite Christmas attire.
3. Head down to your town centre
4. Sing!
Leaf Pile Fun 33
You could view fallen autumn leaves as a nuisance - or turn them into an asset! Embrace your inner child to create a giant leaf pile.. then JUMP!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Fallen leaves
☐ Rake
☐ Sign that says JUMP!
METHOD:
1. Rake fallen leaves into a large pile on your verge
2. Make and put out a simple sign encouraging kids (and big kids) to jump in the pile!
3. Regularly re-rake the pile back together
4. When the fun is finished, fallen leaves are a great addition to compost.
Create a Street Tradition 34
A street tradition is a regular, repeated event, that fosters a sense of belonging, ownership and connection between neighbours. It could be an annual birthday party for your street, a Christmas BBQ, the anniversary of X, or the first Sunday of Y month each year!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Residents of your street
☐ An invitation to participate
☐ Food and drink is often a welcome addition
METHOD:
1. An example: Residents of Bellingham Parade in Kwinana host an annual Easter Egg Hunt. Families donate chocolate eggs which are hidden along the verges and front gardens by teenage residents.
2. The younger children hunt for the eggs whilst adults enjoy their BYO coffee and a good chat.
3. Someone usually brings out a tray of hot cross buns for everyone to enjoy.
Paint a Park Bench 35
Brighten up a bench with a fresh coat of paint and a healthy does of care for your community.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Get some paint and sandpaper (Bunnings often will donate paint for community causes such as this!)
☐ Pick a date and bench in town
☐ Do a call out for volunteers.
☐ Sand and paint and have some fun!
METHOD:
1. A great team building activity that creates impact in town!
2. Could be a great way to have your next team meeting!
Rock Snake 36
Remember the rock painting craze, where people would paint river stones and hide them in parks and gardens? A rock snake expands on this, forming a snake of painted rocks in a public space.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ River stones or rocks
☐ Paint and brushes
☐ Creativity
METHOD:
1. Determine where your rock snake will slither, is it going to be a permanent installation with the rocks cemented in; or a temporary snake where the rocks can be rearranged and added to?
2. Engage your community to paint rocks to form your snake; this is a fantastic activity for all ages to participate in.
Wheelie Bin Painting 37
Get to know the community Arts
Art can improve most things - even utilitarian wheelie bins! This is an engaging and easy to organise activity for budding artists of all ages.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Garbage or recycling bins
☐ Paint
☐ Artists of any ability
METHOD:
1. An activity for a street to do together. Put a call out for old paints lying around in the shed, or see if a local hardware store can donate some products.
2. Find some keen artists to provide some instructions and encourage people to paint their bins.
Yarn Bombing 38
Yarn bombing is a guerrilla creative craft - adding crochet, knitting or other yarn based crafts to public objects such as trees and bollards.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Yarn based crafts such as crochet/knitting
☐ Yarn
METHOD:
1. Choose an object that needs to be brightened up such as a tree trunk or bollard.
2. Put the call out to the community for crocheted granny squares or similar then adorn your object with them. This is a great activity to get older citizens involved with, and pass down their crafty knowledge.
3. We've seen some fabulous examples of bollards turned into characters and trees given knitted jumpers for winter.
Brick Painting 39
A splash of colour can make a big difference! Boring brick walls or paving are perfect for this quick win activity.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Brick wall or paved area
☐ 6 to 8 colours of outdoor, sun-resistant paints (e.g. Wattyl Solagard)
☐ Paint brushes
☐ Disposable coffee cups
METHOD:
1. Select the area that you are going to paint.
2. Pour some paint from the tin into a coffee cup and hand to a helper with a paint brush.
3. The painter can paint any brick they like, with the only rule being to not put the same colours next to each other.
4. This produces a random, eyecatching effect, or come up with a design and create it via a paint by numbers approach.
Washable Paint on the Road 40
Using washable, water-based, non-toxic kids paint can quickly transform a hard surface like a car park or footpath into a temporary work of art. It can help to show what some more permanent art or placemaking could do to a space.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A surface that needs some colour
☐ Washable, water-based, non-toxic kids paint
☐ Paint brushes and/or rollers
☐ Disposable coffee cups and/or roller trays (both is best)
☐ Cloth tape
METHOD:
1. Mark out a geometric pattern on the surface using the cloth tape.
2. Allocate paint to helpers using coffee cups or roller trays.
3. They can spread paint within the taped area.
4. Once the pain is dry, remove the cloth tape to reveal the final design. The paint will wash away with rain or a hose.
Stencil Painting 41
Eyebombing 42
Street stenciling is a simple, low-cost way to add colour, spark conversations, and make your neighbourhood feel more loved. It can even help calm traffic and highlight areas for future street improvements. Whether it's bold patterns, playful shapes, or local messages, stencils turn plain pavement into a canvas for community creativity.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A blank section of footpath or street
☐ A design or message
☐ Stencils (DIY or professionally made)
☐ Washable or acrylic paint
☐ Paint brushes and rollers
☐ Volunteers to help out
METHOD:
1. Pick your spot - Choose a stretch of footpath or quiet street and brainstorm designs with your team.
2. Make your stencil – Create your own using cardboard or acrylic sheets, or have one cut at an art or signage store.
3. Choose your paint – Use washable paint or chalk for a trial run, or opt for solar-resistant acrylic for longer-lasting colour.
5. Celebrate and share – Take photos, post them online, and enjoy the community’s response. It's amazing how small splashes of creativity can brighten a whole street. Bring your streets to life - one stencil at a time!
"Eyebombing" is the art of sticking googly eyes on an inanimate object in a public space, that makes it look like a funny living creature.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Googly Eyes or Eye Stickers
4. Get painting! – Lay down your stencil, apply the paint, and add your unique flair. Try seasonal designs or rotate themes.
☐ Imagination
METHOD:
1. Locate an object to eyebomb, such as a lamp post, tree, or bollard.
2. Stick on googly eyes to give the object some character
3. Laugh at the creature you have created
4. **Use your judgement when applying googly eyes as not to cause damage or harm
Street Gallery 43
Create an outdoor, public gallery to display the artwork or installation of talented locals! Arts
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Artwork or art installation from talented local (artists, students)
☐ ☐Blank surface such as fencing, planter boxes, bollards
☐ Method of attaching artworks e.g. cable ties
METHOD:
1. Identify a blank space that need some love and could be transformed with local artworks.
2. This could be done by applying art directly to the space e.g. painting a planter box, or by attaching artworks to it.
3. Remember to credit your artists - a QR code or social media handle works well
'Freestyling" Little Finds 44
Freestyling Little Finds is a creative and playful urban intervention which instills a sense of wonder, surprise, and delight and transforms ordinary spaces and objects into the extraordinary. Street Art is related to graffiti, you might see it on your street, on walls, poles, paving and all over buildings!
Guerrilla artists use markers, spray paint or stickers to make their art! Here's your chance to make your own!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Some POSCA markers (or paint, stickers)
☐ A whimsical or cheeky spirit
☐ Permission to not be perfect
METHOD:
1. Find an unloved and unmaintained space (be sure to check it's not heritage listed or government owned)
2. Add value to the unloved space by transforming elements into something fun or clever
3. Be prepared to remove if required
Spark Joy 45
Show your place some love..
SPARK JOY
Add a touch of magic to your neighbourhood by installing fairy doors in a local park or open space. These tiny surprises spark big imaginations - inviting kids (and grown- ups) to step outside, explore, wonder and connect through playful discovery.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Resin fairy doors
☐ Publicly accessible land
METHOD:
1. Collect or make fairy doors
2. Select a local park or garden
3. Place fairy doors at the bottom of trees or shrubs
4. Wait for locals to discover and for the news to spread
Seed Bombs 46
Sprinkle the little seed bombs somewhere that needs a pop of colour and life! Verges, empty garden beds, cracks in the footpath, vacant lots... just throw them in and watch them grow!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ 4 parts bentonite clay
☐ 1 part native potting mix (sifted)
☐ A sprinkle of native fertiliser
☐ Wildflower seeds
METHOD:
1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add water slowly to make a playdoh type consistency.
3. Roll into balls - about 1 inch round.
4. Add 4-6 seedbombs to a paperbag to give out or take home.
5. Throw seed bombs where you would like to see some flowers bloom!
Clean Up Day 47
Clean Up Days or working bees are an excellent way to quickly improve a space or area. They help to show your commitment, attract local doers and create positive momentum. Plus you can see results very quickly!
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Rubbish bags or sacks ☐ Gloves
☐ Hand sanitiser / wipes for clean up
METHOD:
1. Choose an area to clean up, then invite your community to come and help.
2. Your local government might be able to support with providing supplies and/or collecting the rubbish picked up.
3. Remember to separate out recyclables and containers for change.
Guerrilla Gardening 48
Find a patch of dirt or even a pothole and do a guerrilla gardening blitz! It might be a permanent change or even just an urban provocation. Nature The number 1 rule in placemaking is to show that someone cares about the space.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Find a space
☐ Add some plants
METHOD:
1. Try to choose plants that are native to the area, hardy and/or have low water needs. Native pigface (Carpobrotus Glaucescens) is an excellent choice as it grows from cuttings (so basically free), very hardy, native and spreads quickly over a patch of dirt.
2. You might need to water whatever you plant to begin with until it gets established.
Clothing Swap 49
Freshen up your wardrobe in a sustainable way by participating in a clothing swap in your community.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ Venue
☐ Tickets / tokens
☐ Tables / display racks / hangers
☐ Pre-loved quality clothing
METHOD:
Sustainable
1. Decide on a time, date and place for your clothing swap. Often a community hall works well.
2. Put the call out for donations of clean, pre-loved clothing. Ticket your event, this might be free or a small donation to cover costs.
3. Determine how many items each participant will receive per ticket - 5 is a good number.
4. On the day of the event, set up clothing on tables / racks organised by size; you may need a few volunteers for crowd control as your community choose their new, but pre-loved clothes!
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
Plant a tree 50
Trees cool our streets and neighbourhoods, improve our physical health, and even raise property prices! Every place could benefit from having more trees planted.
INGREDIENTS:
☐ A tree sapling
☐ Spade or shovel
☐ Watering can / hose
METHOD:
1. Locate a suitable site for your new tree.
2. Dig a large hole, about twice the size of the root ball.
3. Gently plant your sapling into the hole and backfill with soil, pressing lightly to remove air pockets.
4. Give the tree a deep watering after planting, and continue to water regularly - especially during dry periods - until it’s well established.
5. NOTE: Some local councils offer free or subsidised street trees. It's worth checking if your area has a treeplanting program!
Chinese Proverb.
Inspiring Words to Keep You Going
Creating change doesn’t have to start with a big plan or a perfect moment. Sometimes, all it takes is a single step - a small action that makes someone feel seen, valued, or connected. That’s what this 50 Quick Wins Guide is all about.
Whether you're picking up a piece of litter, hosting a community cuppa, or simply saying hello to a neighbour you’ve never met - you are making a difference.
Here are some words to keep close when you need a little reminder of your power and purpose:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
“Community is not a place, it is a feeling.” — Unknown
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
The next Quick Win is waiting.
Turn the page. Take action. And let’s build stronger communities - one Quick Win at a time.
Prioritising ideas
Brainstorm some potential project ideas. Work out whether they will be easy or hard to do. Would they have a low impact or high impact on the place?
Why Quick Wins?
Some people might wonder why we recommend quick wins. After all, they won't change your town overnight. We recommended quick wins because they promote playful, experimental ideas, build trust and confidence in you and your team of helpers and demonstrate how easy it can be to create positive change. You don't need to wait for the big priorities or actions. You don't need to wait for permission to act. Most importantly, many small wins can create a big difference. Make it happen!
Now it’s your turn. Write your ideas here:
You don’t need permission. You don’t need a big team. You just need the heart to care and the courage to act.
Pick one Quick Win. Invite someone to do it with you. Try it this week.
Let that first step spark something bigger - conversations, collaborations, and real community change.
Because this isn’t just a guide. It’s a movement. And you are part of it.
This is your invitation to act, connect, and grow something amazing - right where you are.
Keep the Momentum Going
We hope you feel inspired and find this toolkit useful in bringing your ideas to life - connecting with your community and creating great places to live, work, and thrive.
For even more ideas, stories, and practical tips, check out our website and follow us on social media. We’re constantly sharing fresh ways to help you build more connected, vibrant, and thriving communities - just like yours.
Dean Cracknell, Town Team Movement