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Meet Colin
Conversations with a super star
Meet Colin. He’s a community advocate, environmental educator, and a major powerhouse behind the success of Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood.
We chatted about the intersection of sustainability and community and how an ‘old fashioned’ newsletter helps create both. |
Colin helping the Redhead Pharmacy reduce their plastic bag use
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“I’ve always been a person who wanted to make a difference. I don’t accept things the way they are, if they can be better.”
“There is still a lack of understanding around the issues – especially climate change, and how we have to change all of society. It’s going to come on us with such a thud if we don’t transition properly or fast enough.”
That’s why Colin does what he does.
That’s why Colin does what he does.
Colin commits a lot of time to community endeavours. “I get frustrated because my personal commitment is enormous, and I’m forever trying to make better decisions about what I get involved with, and how much time I spend.”
“But we get to achieve things and make a difference. That’s why I do it.”
“But we get to achieve things and make a difference. That’s why I do it.”
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“Sustainable Neighbourhood fills a niche here in Redhead. Sustainability encompasses a wide array of community values and the environment. It’s not only projects like the school ANZAC mural or lobbying for park and pedestrian issues.
We get to make those changes, but also talk with people about environmental issues like climate change, power station pollution and removal of vegetation.” Colin and the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood team have recently started the EnergyWave Redhead Project to encourage local uptake of solar.
“Sustainability is so worthwhile. We know what’s got to be done. We just have to generate a wave to move us in the correct direction. It’s important that momentum is maintained. Sustainable Neighbourhoods helps us do that.” |
With the team at a Clean Up Australia event
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“I really appreciate that we have both support from Council, and independence from Council. Our community has decided what’s important in creating our own Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan, and we have the framework to do it. The wide definition of sustainability gives us a good hook, and a way to engage with everyone.”
Presenting the annual Possum Award for environmental excellence at Redhead Public School
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A key initiative of the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood is their newsletter, which is regularly delivered to all households by either ‘old fashioned’ letterbox drop, or email.
“One of the best things we’ve done is start the newsletter, thanks to Lindsay, who raised the idea that people new to Redhead need to know what we’re on about.” “People laughed at us and called it old fashioned to deliver a bit of paper into letterboxes. But now it’s a mainstay of community life. It keeps everyone up to date, and delivers important environmental messages.” “We’ve got a team of fantastic deliverers who organise the letterbox drops. I’ve pedalled really hard at times to make sure it keeps going. It’s the most important thing we do.” During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the local doctors surgery’s phone lines were suddenly unavailable for over 2 weeks. With patients nervous to see their GP, and wondering what had happened, the surgery called Colin to help get the word out to the community. |
“We are well known and trusted in the community, and our newsletter provides welcome and relevant information. We were the perfect avenue to let everyone know about the situation and to publicise the alternate phone contacts. Residents as usual responded with gratitude, saying ‘This just shows the value of the village newsletter – thank you very much.’”
As well as the achievements of the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood, Colin enjoys the benefits of being active in the community.
“Personally, I’ve made a great group of friends through Sustainable Neighbourhoods. I considered myself old and retired when I started, but have been pleasantly surprised that I am quite capable of making new friends that are important to me. The support from that network extends beyond the scope of what we do through Sustainable Neighbourhoods.”
“Understanding that we are a part of a wider network and that volunteers around the city are doing it as well. You’re not just starting out on your own.”
“Personally, I’ve made a great group of friends through Sustainable Neighbourhoods. I considered myself old and retired when I started, but have been pleasantly surprised that I am quite capable of making new friends that are important to me. The support from that network extends beyond the scope of what we do through Sustainable Neighbourhoods.”
“Understanding that we are a part of a wider network and that volunteers around the city are doing it as well. You’re not just starting out on your own.”
With some of the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood team after winning the Community Group of the Year Award
Colin is a founding member of Sustainable Neighbourhoods, helping to facilitate and establish the program in Redhead in 2010, and then taking up the Secretary role for the Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood Group since 2011. He is also a former Chairperson of the Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance.
