This will be a participatory 1 hour, bring your lunch and a cuppa conversation session.

In this one hour session we will start the conversation of “what Queer Community Building is”. This participatory session offers a glimpse into how we can collectively build stronger, more resilient Queer communities by leveraging our unique strengths, talents, and experiences. Rather than focusing on needs and deficits, we’ll explore ways of mobilising local wisdom and assets to address complex, generational challenges. While exploring opportunities for our communities to create conditions of for being trauma informed and discover pathways to future learning.

ANYONE wanting to explore and gain further understanding of Queer Community Building

Individual community members and change makers
Queer social connection and social groups
Business leaders and social entrepreneurs
Pride/event organisers
LGBTQIA+ not for profit organistions
Political Advisors and Policy Officers

Your hosts for this event are:

Lee Griffiths - I have a passion for community and always have, this is why I do the work I do, facilitating ABDC training, workshops and strategic planning. I have spent the last 14 years working in local government and the not for profit sector creating the conditions for government and organisations to walk along side community to strengthen outcomes across Australia and the UK.

From my grassroots roots voluntary work to my previous leadership positions, the golden thread has always build on recognising the strengths, assets and opportunities communities already have to bring about the change they want.

Steph Bitter is a young and enthusiastic individual, passionate about supporting people to realise and express the most authentic version of themselves. With a background as a writer, performing musician and songwriter, they studied a Diploma of Community Services to align their passion for rights and social justice with a love of connecting with people. Steph blends Asset-Based Community Development, Participatory Community Development, and Person-Centred practices to support individuals and communities to find belonging and create authentic meaning in their lives.

Dee Brooks - Through her down-to-earth style, Dee Brooks brings people together in dynamic ways to realise and engage the full potential of their networks and communities. Dee is an Intentional Nomad who has traveled and worked in over 20 countries. Based on two decades of grassroots work, her work has inspired people at hundreds of events and workshops worldwide where she offers community engagement and development training and also provides professional co-design, facilitation and keynote addresses for conferences, forums and events.

Tathra Street - Tathra is an accomplished facilitator, passionate about the power of group wisdom. She skillfully cultivates collective intelligence to lead groups to their own answers. Everything from strategic planning to business development and finding creative solutions to complex problems. Tathra has been the co-chair of the Community Reference Group of the Victorian Pride Centre for the past 5 years. She has been out longer than Ellen and is a proud queer community member.