The ChangeFest Learning Network is a regular opportunity for all of us across the ChangeFest Movement to share practice and learn, to connect and build, and to take a deep breath and reflect. It will provide us all with the space to listen and hear from each other in ways that will help us in our own work for community-led system change – whether it be in communities, government, large for purpose organisations and businesses.

This session is the very first event of the Learning Network and is one of three monthly lunchtime sessions in 2024 being held on the third Tuesday of the month (online). Each event will be free and provide opportunity to explore a story of community led change – and an opportunity to connect with each other across the ChangeFest Movement. These first sessions will build on the stories and insights we heard from CF24.

17 September – Western Downs Futures

The Narrative: changing the story of catalytic events to mobilise a collaborative effort.  

Stories bring us together. They shape our society, norms and rules. The stories we hold about our communities rationalise the way that power is held in community and give us insight into the dominant perspectives or ideas that bring people together or pull them apart. When Renee came to the Western Downs, the dominant story about the region was a story of disadvantage. Floods, Fires, Emergencies, “…Lack of this, We need that…” It was a story that was shared all the time when Western Downs began their place-based journey. But the community said that “to make change for our towns, we must change our story.”

In our very first Learning Network event, Renee will share how Western Downs Futures are taking back their narrative to mobilise this work.

About Renee

Renee King is a dynamic community builder with a deep-rooted passion for remote and regional Australia, inspired by her unique upbringing in the lush jungles of Papua New Guinea. Renee channels her expertise in community development to spearhead the Western Downs Futures, a community-led and government-enabled place-based collective impact initiative.