Ready Macleay
Want to support the #SIITR24 host community, the Macleay Valley?
In 2024 the Ready Communities team has delivered the pilot program, Ready Macleay in the Macleay Valley with a focus on the Kempsey community. The local community identified over 70 initiatives they would like to activate (more below).
Check out some of the initiatives identified by local residents and jump on board. To provide your support please complete the survey HERE
Since January 2024
We’ve had 550 engagements over 1000 engagement hours across a series of one to one meetings and eleven public engagements engaging 244 community members across our five focus themes: Agricultural communities; youth futures; CBD Activation; Creative industries and housing and community infrastructure.
We are also mapping a growing list of 38 policies, strategies, and funds
applicable in the region. The engagements have identified a growing list
of 77 initiatives across the five focus areas and several outside these areas.
Now it's time for action...
(See below for more)
What’s happening…
We are now fully immersed in preparations for Social Impact in the Regions 2024 which (as no doubt you know by now) will be held in the Kempsey CBD 4-6 September.
The conference will cover the themes: (1) investing in regional impact (2) amplifying regional voices and (3) understanding regional challenges. Want to get involved? Visit our website for more information.
Networking and learning opportunities
We welcome you to jump in and share your thoughts by emailing the convenors, Kerry and Chad or joining us at one or more of the following meet-ups:
- Social Impact in the Regions 4-6 September, 2024
- Join us for a conversation about CBD Activation in October, date TBC
- Macleay Valley Pitchfest was held on 22 August at the Bandbox Theatre. The event was a hoot with nine local entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs pitching their ideas. The winner was Chonny Shore who will pitch at the national #SIITR24 pitchfest.
More information on the identified initiatives can be found via the theme links below. If you’d like to provide further information please contact us here.
Simply click on the theme icons below and find out more about what has been happening through 2024 thus far.
Jo Kelly, lead Learning the Macleay with Michael Kemp MP
The first of many
Ready Macleay is the first region in focus for the Ready Communities initiative, an innovative community building project.Â
Ready Macleay will give the people of the Macleay a variety of opportunities to come together and talk about important community matters and create actions aligned to the key themes housing, youth futures, CBD activation, creative industries and agricultural communities.
About Ready Macleay
While governments strive for place-based approaches to solve endemic problems and realise opportunities, communities rarely have capacity to deliver the principles of a place-based approach. Ready Communities is a catalyst for people to experience place-based community change. It enables change in community and supports the community with further place-based activities.
- Region selection (Jan)
- Initial engagement (Feb)
- Mapping (Feb-Nov)
- Engagement (Feb-Nov)
- Action planning (Feb)
- Capability and capacity development (Apr-Dec)
- Activation (Apr-Dec)
- Conference (Sept)
- Alumni community (2025)
Each 10-month project culminates in the delivery of the national Social Impact in the Regions conference showcasing the local community and the preceding and upcoming Ready Communities regions.
Each Ready Communities project includes a 12-month legacy program with outcomes around clarity and understanding; connection and connectivity; capacity and capability; collaboration for purpose; and advocacy and promotion. The program is designed for economic, social, individual, institutional, and environmental impact.
What's On
Our next community feedback session will be held on 22 August just before the Pitchfest. To register please follow this link.
Get involved with Ready Macleay activities at:
- The Kempsey Show: 7-8 April, Kempsey Showground
- Saltwater Freshwater Festival: (TBC)
- Yuwa Nyinda Dream Academy: 28/29 August Kempsey
- There are no workshops currently scheduled. If you’d like to speak with us about a workshop please get in touch.
