There were many things that went “wrong” or not according to plan in my project. For example, I didn’t get to meet the traditional Indigenous elder of Cairns, Channel 7 hung up on me when I mentioned Gianne was on “So you Think You can Dance” (Channel 10), The rain almost destroyed my plans, my time constraints, money constraints, and in the end, the unpredictable circumstance of being robbed. Leaving in a hurry prevented me also from tying up loose ends, and creating possible links so that this project could be repeated again by members of the community in true Community Development style (as opposed to being just a production). I also had no time to make up a survey or evaluate whether my project was looked upon favourably. I realised that after all the planning I had done, by the very nature of community work, I needed to hold my agenda’s lightly.
After a week of recovering and licking my wounds I received an email from my brother. (Appendix A) Stating how the continuation of KulchaKonnect was in the process of negotiation. Gianne was also explaining to me how she would do things differently the next time she did this. I was starting to see things unfold on their own accord. This finally did bring closure and understanding to the whole project. I understand now what Dick was referring to when he said Action research is a process by which change and understanding can be pursued at the one time. In this process, as I experienced we often don't have the time to be deliberate about what we are doing. The "theories" we draw on are intuitive theories. In review and planning our theories can be made explicit. In other words, action is informed by intuitive theories. Critical review and planning are informed by conscious theories and assumptions. These theories are derived deliberately from recent experience, and used to plan the next experience. (Dick, 1997). Freire backed up this argument stating that inquiry and praxis (practice), are essential human characteristics. He states that knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through the restless, impatient continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world and with each other. (Freire, 1997). It’s these words from Dick and Freire that gave me comfort in the end.
Appendix A
Hi Vanessa,
Just sending you some feedback on the Kulcha Konnect Dance Workshops which were held at the Mooroobool Community Centre on the 8th and 10th April.
The Cairns-based members of Kulcha Konnect (Tamara Pearson and Shelly Bingarap) have indicated that they are interested in continuing to host similar events on a regular basis, perhaps monthly.
I have spoken to Saga (the Manager of the Mooroobool Community Centre) about the prospects of this and she has indicated that she is willing to make the Hall available (fee exempt) for such future Community Development Projects.
I have gotten feedback from many Mooroobool Housing residents and they have indicated that their support for such future events.
I have also spoken with Lorraine Armour from Probation and Parole (Queensland Corrective Services) and she has indicated that although they mainly deal with adult offenders, they also have set up joint projects for juvenile offenders with the Cairns Regional Council such as involving young Graffiti Artists doing Murals on designated Council property such as skate ramps.
Lorraine has indicated that her department would be interested in helping promote future dance projects of a similar nature to the Kulcha Konnect Dance Workshops held in Mooroobool.
She also suggested we link up with the Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) in Manunda, because they are also involved with many Community Development Projects particularly involving Youth.
Many Regards,
Reggie Van Der Werff
Kulcha Konnect Team Member
References
Crime Prevention Through Social Support: Legislative Council Standing Committee on Law and Justice (1998, October 26). Retrieved April 23, 2010, from http://www.crc.nsw.gov.au/publications/documents/speeches/documents/prevention
Department of Sustainability and Environment: A model for engagement-IAP2 Spectrum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2010, from
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/wcmn203.nsf/LinkView/FD9BEDEC51850213CA25706700054ECFA385F9180FF7023FCA25707C0006DE06
Dick, B. (1997) Action learning and action research. Retrieved April 14, 2010, from http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arp/actlearn.html
Gilchrist, A. (2000). Comlexity and the well-connected community.
Community Development Journal, 35(3), 264-275.
Freire, P. (1997). the Banking Concept of Education. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York: Continuum
Healy, K. (2006). Community Education. In A. O’Hara & Z. Weber, Skills for Human Services: Working with Individuals, Groups and Communities, (pp. 259-266). Melbourne: Oxford University Press
Hope, A. & Timmel, S. (1995). Training for Transformations: A Handbook for Community Workers (Key Principles of Freire). London: Intermediate Technologies Publication,
Ife, J., & Tesoriero . F. (2006). Community Development: Community-Based Alternatives in a Global Age (ch 10 231-255 Pearson Education Australia: Frenchs Forest.
Leigh, A. (2006). Trust, Inequality and Ethnic Heterogeneity. The Economic Record, 82(258) 268-280
Pasenae, J. (interview, March 22, 2010)
Peterman, W., (2004), Advocacy vs. collaboration: Comparing inclusionary community planning models. Community Development Journal, 39(3), 266-276.
Queensland Council of Social Services. (2009). QCOSS Social Policy and Advocacy Forum 2009, Cairns Forum Report, Cairns, QLD:
Sampson, R., & Groves, B. (1989). Community Structure and Crime: Testing Social-Disorganization Theory. American Journal of Sociology, 94(4) 774-802
Shevellar, L. (lecture 2, March 10, 2010)
Tamas, A., & Ontario, A. (2000). System Theory in Community Development. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from,
http://www.tamas.com/samples/source-docs/System_Theory_in_CD.pdf
Wheatley, M. (1999). Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
Wood, R. (1969). Martin Buber’s Ontology: An Analysis of I AND THOUGH, Evanston, USA: Northwestern University Press
Hello To All Community Builders Out There!
My name is Vanessa Van der Werff and I am a Masters in Social Work Student here at UQ in Brisbane. As part of my course from "Community Engagement, Participation and Governance" I am required as my piece of assessment to: propose, plan and implement a Community Project of my choosing. I have chosen to travel back to my home town of Cairns to Implement this project. Following are my thoughts, proposals and plans of my project.
My project will be implemented in Mooroobool, a suburb in Cairns. The community structure and bonds are not as strong as they could be. There is strong potential to create stronger bonds and build on the strengths of cultural diversity. By using the different experiences, skills and resources of the community and its members, together they can transform the community to a more supportive, constructive, sustainable environment.
Change Agenda
My agenda is to aid, support and facilitate certain community members to use dance, expression and festival activities to build connections throughout their communities. It is starting with 3 weeks preparation from now till the 9th of June, then ending with a Multicultural Gathering oganised by the group members. This Multicultural Gathering/Festival will be on Saturday 10th April. Each cultural dance team can teach different members of other dance teams and community members and spectators their style of dance. The team has expressed their interest in also facilitating a collaborative creative workshop which includes contemporary body movements and participants own choreography. A celebrity guest (Last season's finalist of TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" - Gianne Abbott, will come on board for the day to facilitate with these creative workshops, learn different cultural dance styles from members of the community, and hang out with the kids. All of these activities will be show cased at the end of the day, with performances and handing out of certificates of participation (optional - perhaps just for the young participants).
My name is Vanessa Van der Werff and I am a Masters in Social Work Student here at UQ in Brisbane. As part of my course from "Community Engagement, Participation and Governance" I am required as my piece of assessment to: propose, plan and implement a Community Project of my choosing. I have chosen to travel back to my home town of Cairns to Implement this project. Following are my thoughts, proposals and plans of my project.
My project will be implemented in Mooroobool, a suburb in Cairns. The community structure and bonds are not as strong as they could be. There is strong potential to create stronger bonds and build on the strengths of cultural diversity. By using the different experiences, skills and resources of the community and its members, together they can transform the community to a more supportive, constructive, sustainable environment.
Change Agenda
My agenda is to aid, support and facilitate certain community members to use dance, expression and festival activities to build connections throughout their communities. It is starting with 3 weeks preparation from now till the 9th of June, then ending with a Multicultural Gathering oganised by the group members. This Multicultural Gathering/Festival will be on Saturday 10th April. Each cultural dance team can teach different members of other dance teams and community members and spectators their style of dance. The team has expressed their interest in also facilitating a collaborative creative workshop which includes contemporary body movements and participants own choreography. A celebrity guest (Last season's finalist of TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" - Gianne Abbott, will come on board for the day to facilitate with these creative workshops, learn different cultural dance styles from members of the community, and hang out with the kids. All of these activities will be show cased at the end of the day, with performances and handing out of certificates of participation (optional - perhaps just for the young participants).
Here is the Flyer I made for the project. With the help of Simon (Thanks Simon)
