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Meet Karin
Conversations with a super star
Karin has lived in the Blacksmiths for over 30 years, and is passionate about her neighbourhood.
We talked about community connection and the satisfaction of making change. |
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Karin is a member of the Pelican Area Sustainable Neighbourhood group and currently volunteers as the Communication Advisor, and as one of the Team Leaders for their Landcare group.
“My daughter was involved with the group, and suggested that it’d be great for me. She was right – I really enjoy it.“
“My daughter was involved with the group, and suggested that it’d be great for me. She was right – I really enjoy it.“
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“We have focused a lot of our effort to improve the amenity and bushland at Grannies Pool. We lobbied Council and State government for the upgrade works there, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve for the community.”
“It’s so popular there now. There’s a pathway that makes it accessible for people with a disability or the elderly to get right down to the water. There’s even a shower there now. And all the regeneration work we’ve done makes it really pretty.” Karin enjoys her work on the Landcare site there, rehabilitating the bushland area. “Depending on the weather, I’m down there most weeks. Keeping up with the weeding and watering. We’re glad to have the support from Landcare with the bigger jobs.” “My favourite thing about being a part of this group is meeting new friends with common interests. I love the teamwork and networking. We get to see outcomes for the community.”
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Karin and the Pelican Area Sustainable Neighbourhood team, have a lot to be proud of, with the successes of their community engagement and practical environmental projects.
“So far we’ve achieved 19 out of the 29 actions from our Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan, with support from Council and other agencies."
"It’s satisfying to see the community come together and do such great work.”
“So far we’ve achieved 19 out of the 29 actions from our Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan, with support from Council and other agencies."
"It’s satisfying to see the community come together and do such great work.”
“We held a market stall last year, which was wonderful. We got some new members, and we were so proud to sell ourselves and what we’ve achieved. We’d never done that before.”
“We’d love to see more new members, young parents and local youth join us. And we could use some help to manage our Facebook page.”
“We’ve also run a few Bunnings BBQs as a fundraiser. It’s been lots of work, but we all pull together, and they have been really fun days.”
“We’d love to see more new members, young parents and local youth join us. And we could use some help to manage our Facebook page.”
“We’ve also run a few Bunnings BBQs as a fundraiser. It’s been lots of work, but we all pull together, and they have been really fun days.”
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“Five of our members have been involved in Councils Flood Adaptation Working party for Blacksmiths and Pelican. That’s been a challenge and a great learning curve for us. The support from Council staff and some of our more experienced members has been amazing.
"Through the process, we’ve also challenged the experts because we are the ones who have lived here for a long time, and know the history of our place” |
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Ultimately, it’s the connection to community that motivates Karin.
“Being a registered nurse for 40+ years, I’ve always been connected to looking after the community and acting in the community’s best interests. It’s just in my character.”
“I’ve lived here 34 years, so was already pretty connected. My involvement with the group made me look a bit further, and I saw that the local primary school could use some help with their garden. It’s great for us to share what we do with the school, and they are so appreciative of the help.”
Karin says that asking community members what their concerns and aspirations are is a great way to engage with people. “People often ask me what the group is up to. I talk about Sustainable Neighbourhoods where ever I go. I like to ask people what they want to be done in the community. That’s what’s engaging for people.”
“Sustainable Neighbourhoods provides a great way to stay connected to the community.”
“Being a registered nurse for 40+ years, I’ve always been connected to looking after the community and acting in the community’s best interests. It’s just in my character.”
“I’ve lived here 34 years, so was already pretty connected. My involvement with the group made me look a bit further, and I saw that the local primary school could use some help with their garden. It’s great for us to share what we do with the school, and they are so appreciative of the help.”
Karin says that asking community members what their concerns and aspirations are is a great way to engage with people. “People often ask me what the group is up to. I talk about Sustainable Neighbourhoods where ever I go. I like to ask people what they want to be done in the community. That’s what’s engaging for people.”
“Sustainable Neighbourhoods provides a great way to stay connected to the community.”
