Town Team Movement joined up with Follow the Dream (Polly Farmer Foundation); Spinifex Hill Studios; the Town of Port Hedland; the RAC; Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation; Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation; Youth Involvement Council and Volunteering WA to work with local First Nations peoples to create an iterative, collaborative process to co-create a makeover of Wise Terrace in South Hedland, Western Australia.
Town Team Movement joined up with Follow the Dream (Polly Farmer Foundation); Spinifex Hill Studios; the Town of Port Hedland; the RAC; Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation; Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation; Youth Involvement Council and Volunteering WA to work with local First Nations peoples to create an iterative, collaborative process to co-create a makeover of Wise Terrace in South Hedland, Western Australia.
The result was the Youth Changemaking Program which has become a guide for First Nations student community engagement and volunteering. Town Team Movement and the project team facilitated the ideation, co-design, and co-creation sessions to educate and support young people to design and create the public space improvements along Wise Terrace. This approach connected and mobilised groups of young people to contribute to the project and provided a platform and opportunities to showcase their work and contributions. See what happened in the video below.
Outcomes
Upon finishing the project, the student participants said they had a stronger sense of belonging and connection with public space and civic action, a deeper connection with their peers and a sense of achievement and pride in completing the task to such a high standard. Throughout the process, the young people also learned about leadership, teamwork and the benefits of volunteering and creating an even place for their community.
Tips
- Bringing First Nations culture into the public realm is critically important
- Use a strengths-based approach – build on strengths and opportunities rather than trying to fix problems
- Build authentic relationships
- Go with the ideas and energy – do not go in with preconceived or predetermined outcomes in mind
- Make allowance for resources to visit, spend time, build genuine connections and relationships in the community
- Build the capacity by developing the skills and confidence in young people to be leaders
Some of the feedback
‘This project has inspired me as it made me get out and do something and make the community come together.’ Student, South Hedland
“The project has definitely inspired me to try new things because me personally, I’m not quite a social person so this project has encouraged me to go out and try new things.” Student, South Hedland.
‘It was authentic collaboration, the students were truly involved, their voice was heard, and they were part of the project from the very beginning to end and still are – most see their work every day when they walk through’ – Jessica Albers, Follow the Dream