Queensland Governor to launch resilience toolkit
Governor of Queensland Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC will launch the Building Resilience in Rural Communities Toolkit at Stanthorpe State High School tomorrow (Tuesday 11 February 2008).
The toolkit is the result of a three-year study conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and the University of Queensland (UQ) with assistance from Community Development Services Stanthorpe, Combined Rural Traders (CRT), Toowoomba Mental Health Service and Lifeline.
USQ Head of Department (Nursing and Midwifery) Professor Cath Rogers-Clark said the project aims to enhance mental health and wellbeing in rural areas through a better understanding of how to recognise and enhance resilience in individuals and the community at large.
'It's about building people's capacity to survive through hard times,' Professor Rogers-Clark said.
'The study, titled ‘Identifying models of personal and community resilience that enhance psychological wellness: A Stanthorpe Study', was designed to identify the factors contributing to resilience in Stanthorpe.
'Through extensive interviews with members of the community we discovered 11 key concepts which support resilience in individuals and also support community resilience.'
The concepts include Social Networks and Support; Positive Outlook; Learning; Early Experience; Environment and Lifestyle; Infrastructure and Support Services; Sense of Purpose; Diverse and Innovative Economy; Embracing Differences; Beliefs and Leadership.
'What we found was a complex relationship where individual resilience could not really be separated from community resilience. It works in together,' Professor Rogers-Clark said.
'Not all people in the community are resilient but the toolkit we've developed brings together what we've learnt about resilience in rural areas from this study and provides practical applications that community groups and services can use to develop or enhance their programs.
'It is intended to provide ideas and information to enhance the resilience of people participating in new or existing social programs or workshops conducted within Stanthorpe and other communities around Australia.'
Community groups and services can purchase a copy of the Building Resilience in Rural Communities toolkit for $35 (including postage) from USQ's CRRAH by contacting Annette Nanka on (07) 4631 5444 or email nanka@usq.edu.au.
The launch will take place from 10:30am in the Granite Belt Community Learning Centre at Stanthorpe State High School, McGlew St, Stanthorpe. Media are welcome to attend.
Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559