Making sense of uncertainty together: understanding our world, building our communities

Banyule Loves...Community Resilience!

Join us for community sense-making conversations as we explore how to connect, nurture, and organise local community

This no-cost workshop is part of the Banyule Loves...Workshop Series.

We are living through a period of profound environmental, social, and political change. How do we make sense of what is happening without becoming overwhelmed? And what can we do together, close to home? Join Banyule's Environment Team and Jean Renouf, co-author of Unspeakable, for an interactive conversation and workshop. We will explore the challenges of our times, listen to one another, map the strengths and connections already present in our communities, and consider practical ways to strengthen local relationships and collective action. No specialist knowledge required.

Participants can expect to:

• leave feeling heard

• have a clearer understanding of our climate challenges

• form new connections

• have a better appreciation of local assets and one realistic action or pathway to explore

• take home Jean's My Disaster Plan (optional)
  

About the facilitator

This workshop is facilitated by Dr Jean Renouf, founder and CEO of Safer Future. Jean is a recognised resilience, preparedness and disruption specialist based in Lismore, NSW, with a rare combination of frontline emergency experience, organisational resilience expertise, and systems-thinking scholarship. He has played active leadership roles through multiple disasters, including the 2022 Lismore floods and the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, work for which he received the Australian National Emergency Medal and an NSW Premier Citation.

Lunch will be provided, so please note dietary requirements during registration.

General notes: 

• This event is for adults 18+. Please contact us if you would like to bring your child.

• Contact lisa.conley@banyule.vic.gov.au with questions.

• We will be indoors for the duration of this workshop.

• Please bring your personal water bottle and coffee cup. We have limited dishware.

• If you're unwell on the day, please stay home to protect others.

Accessibility notes:

We will be sitting inside. The room is on the ground floor in Bellfield Community Hub.

This venue includes accessibility accommodations such as:

• 2 accessible parking spaces, which are 3m x 4.5m in size.

• There is plenty of parking available after hours. 

• Toilets that are accessible to people with wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

• Tactile features for vision impairment (front door and toilets).

Travel considerations:

• If car park is full there is street parking on Daphne Crescent 

• Corner of Perkins Ave and Oriel Rd, Bellfield.

• Bus services: 250, 251, 350 and 549. 

• Bellfield entrance is approximately 200m from the bus stop. 

• Closest train station: Heidelberg Station. Studley Rd, Heidelberg.
  Bellfield entrance is approximately 2 km from the station.

The Banyule Loves...Workshop Series explores the lost art of sustainable, climate-resilient living. The series celebrates the things about Banyule which our community loves- from gardening to connecting to Country to saving money on our energy bills. These workshops will upskill community members while connecting participants to like-minded neighbours. Attendees are entered in a drawing for a prize for participating in each workshop, with the drawing held at the annual wrap-up celebration and showcase event in November. Each attendee will receive a certification of completion for the workshops they attend. 


This workshop takes place during Garrawang Kangaroo-apple Season (December). In this period we have it fast changing thundery weather, long days, and short nights. This season sees more active Djulin (Goannas) and Kadak (Snakes) so watch the paths you tread, especially if near water. Garrong (Black Wattle) is flowering; its bark is high in tannins and when collected and boiled can be used to tan animal skins and turn them into leather. (Wurran) Sugar gliders feed off its sap while nectar feeders love its flowers. Overall Garrawang is a lovely time of year with lots of growth and change.


Banyule City Council is proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as traditional custodians of the land and we pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the region's history.

Our community is made up of diverse cultures, beliefs, abilities, bodies, sexualities, ages and genders. We are committed to access, equity, participation and rights for everyone: principles which empower, foster harmony and increase the wellbeing of an inclusive community.