Vol. No. Vol. 2518No. 4027
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Social project I
BY JESSICA GRIMBLE
dentifying ways to lessen the social impact of drought, before it occurs, is the aim of a unique workshop in Horsham this week.
Wimmera Development Association, WDA, in conjunction with West Vic Business and Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West, will host the co-design workshop, which seeks to generate project ideas to help people, groups and businesses prepare for drought. Ideas will inform a WDA funding bid towards the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund ‘community impact program’. WDA chief executive Chris Sounness said the workshop was particularly focused on the social challenges of drought. He noted the fund had other programs to support farm businesses, which were outside of the scope of the WDA workshop. “This workshop aims to identify ways to lessen the impact of drought, before it occurs,” he said. “We are not trying to reinvent anything; we are trying to understand and capture what’s worked in the past and use those insights to better prepare and strengthen the resilience of communities. “It’s important to understand the challenges we know will occur – what is in our control and what we can do – and consider how we can make a significant difference in one to two areas; focusing on where we can make a significant impact.” An Agriculture Victoria-led Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Drought Plan, and its 13 actions, will guide discussions. The actions highlight support and awareness of mental health, digital con-
Wednesday, January 13, 2023 2016 Wednesday, April 19,
nectivity, finance and education in relation to drought resilience. The actions include increasing awareness and building respect for cultural and spiritual values of Country and protecting areas of significance from drought impact. They also consider business leadership and networking opportunities, inter-agency planning, accessibility of public buildings and transport, and affordable housing. A WDA-led publication, called Climate Eyes and published last year, documented many stories of the Millennium Drought in the Wimmera and southern Mallee.
Big picture
Mr Sounness said drought impacted all areas of the community. “The farming community has changed over the past 20 to 30 years and farmers with larger properties have more resilience built into their business by the nature of scale and the way in which they operate,” he said. “Our economy and communities in the Wimmera and southern Mallee are so dependent on agriculture. “This workshop will look at ways to increase small business resilience. “Small businesses are the heart of every small town but often their secondary impact from drought can be greater than the initial impact.” Wimmera consultant Pru Cook is the workshop facilitator. Mr Sounness said there were limited places remaining to participate in the workshop. He said organisers were working hard to ensure there was a diverse range of participants. People can also provide their feedback after the workshop. Mr Sounness said people wanting more information could contact him via chris@wda.org.au
MAGIC: From left, Darrell Jeffries with Shelley, Tom and Lincoln Fax, Sokan Sat and Barb Jeffries don their time traveller soiree-styled fashion ahead of the staging of the second Wimmera Steampunk Festival in Dimboola on Saturday. The festival is expected to build on its inaugural success, with thousands of people to visit the Hindmarsh shire community this weekend. Story, page 13. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
IN THIS ISSUE • Housing development plan • Community rally • Scooter riders off to worlds Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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