A place for everyone at Queensland Community Development Conference

The Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is inviting community members to consider attending the Queensland Community Development Conference. The Conference is being held from 23rd to 25th of October at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre and has the theme of ‘A Place for Everyone’. TRC Chair of the Environment and Community Committee, Cr Geoff McDonald said that the conference has attracted exceptional speakers and has an incredibly engaging agenda. “Council is supporting the conference that brings together practitioners and community members who have an interest in social and individual change focussed on equity, equality, participation and access,” Cr McDonald said. “Council has an important role as a community builder and in doing so ensuring that we are building on the existing strengths, skills and organisational capacities of communities. “Community development is a field of practice that supports community members or citizens to bring about positive change in their local communities. “The conference theme, “A Place for Everyone” is such an important topic given that “Place” or community-based approaches to community development are becoming more prevalent with governments, NGOs and even the corporate sector. “The conference begins with the biennial Les Halliwell address that honours the inaugural head of the University of Queensland School of Social Work in 1956 whose efforts established the framework for a unique approach to community development in Queensland. “This year’s address will be given by Members of Nundah Community Enterprises Co-operative and coordinator Richard Warner who will describe their work creating employment for a group of people that society has left behind. “The Toowoomba Region has always enjoyed a strong sense of community and has as a nationally accredited ‘Australian Safe Community’, we always try to ensure that no individual is forgotten. “We look forward to exploring how community development will provide the tools we need to make life better, not only for ourselves but our neighbours.” For more information about the Community Development Conference including how to register go to http://user.tr.qld.gov.au/events/eventdetail/71481/-/community-development-conference-2019.