Project aims for a more compassionate Australia

The Workshop will discuss successful community-centred programs operating in the Toowoomba region

For Professor Glen Postle AM, the solutions to many of society’s problems can be found within the community in which they are created.

Professor Postle, who is Chair of the Friends of the Toowoomba Flexi School and an Honorary Professor at USQ, believes that the answer to problems such as homelessness, drug abuse, youth suicide and loneliness amongst the aged lies in the creation of a more compassionate society.

He is leading a project that will use successful community-centred programs already operating in the Toowoomba region as the building blocks for achieving his vision of a more caring Australia.

To help acheive this, a Community Capacity Building Project will be launched at a Workshop to be held at USQ on Friday 9 April.

The Workshop will provide an opportunity for those working in the government, education, social welfare and community sectors to come together to discuss working and workable strategies for promoting community capacity building and well-being.

'Through such social initiatives as the Flex School, The Older Men’s Network (TOMNET) and Stanthorpe’s GraniteNet, the Toowoomba and surrounding regional community has demonstrated leadership in resurrecting community responsibility for marginalised and disenfranchised groups,' Professor Postle said.

'The alienation of the people in our community is not only a tragedy for the individuals concerned, it is a tragedy for all of Australia; not only because of the social problems that alienation generates but also because the full contributions that these people could make to our society are currently not being realised – and we are all the poorer for it.

'The need is to develop stronger community connections and to build trust between key players at the local level.

'There is an important role for the community to play in addressing the challenges created by our rapidly changing society and this Workshop will give the community the chance to find solutions to these issues.'

With three keynote speakers and two panel discussions planned for the event, organisers are expecting a good response from the public and are encouraging anyone with an interest in community well-being to attend. There are no costs to participants and the event is fully catered.

'Our three guest speakers are Dr Kitty te Riele from University of Technology Sydney, Professor Bruce Wilson from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Dr Jim Cavaye, who is a leading community development practitioner.

'They will discuss their experiences with mainstream and alternative education and regional development.

'Meanwhile our panel discussions will focus on government responses to social problems and the work of successful community-based initiatives currently operating in the region.

'Interest in the event has been strong and we are looking forward to seeing a good cross-section from the community participating on the day.'

For more information on the Workshop contact Professor Postle on 0407 362 331 or to register email Mary McGilvray at mcgilvra@usq.edu.au 

This initiative is being conducted as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by USQ and the Toowoomba Flexi School in 2008, which provides a link to tertiary education for those teenagers enrolled with the Flexi School.

The Flexi School has for the past 12 years provided many disengaged and disenfranchised youth in the Toowoomba region with alternative education pathways towards a new life.

Contact Details:
Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or 0400 025 429