Tag: Reactivate Latrobe Valley

I missed posting last Sunday.

I spent the day at ReActivate Latrobe Valley‘s event: Get Cheffed and was straight to bed at the end. The event was fun. We had around 500 local food lovers come through our market and 100 spectators for the main event. The marquee was full of supporters who by pledging to our crowdfunding had made the Chef off and Chef up a reality. So many people contributed to the day and donated their time or cash or goods. It is overwhelming sometimes how generous people are.

My parents had their 53rd wedding anniversary this week. I got married on the same day as them, 30 years ago, but did not go the distance, despite choosing what I thought would be an auspicious day. I only lasted around 5 years married. Enough time to have two amazing children, so no regrets.

Jane had her final day at Serving the Valley on Friday. She worked tirelessly right up until the last second following up opportunities for participants and sharing news on social media. We will miss Jane’s dedication to Serving the Valley, but fortunately we work together on other projects and are friends. Jane has volunteered at The VRI and Traralgon Neighbourhood House from the start. I am happy for her that she has a more rewarding job and I believe she will make a greater contribution where she is going and that she may be able to improve opportunities for more people. Jane is one of the kindest people I know. We had a great party on Friday night!

Lots of other stuff has happened and I’m left tonight feeling very grateful for all the wonderful people we have on our teams. People who step up to help out and support in lots of ways. Brilliant people who roll up their sleeves and get stuff done, and make it fun.

Car Parks

February 4, 2018

johblogs

astrology reflection self care No Comments

Last Sunday seems like a month ago! A great and full week. My daughter started a new job that she loves – I love it when good things happen for my loved ones.

I went for float #3 and I have to say it just gets better. I had a massage as well, so I’ve been extremely relaxed!

I joined the 5th birthday celebrations of the amazing Paper Dolls last night and it was laughter, fun and good company. The Paper Dolls are are an empowering dance ensemble who practice in Morwell and perform all over Gippsland. ReActivate HQ space was transformed. Here’s a pic of the delightful Poppy Playdate training us to applaud at the appropriate moment.

This is my favourite clip from 2014 #GetSunflowered season. We’ve been getting heaps of enquiries about the sunflowers – fingers crossed for next season.

This week the carpark reality set in. The posters promised 90 new carparks but the loss of trees is a sad side effect. Here is a before and after. Fortunately it looks like the plane trees will remain, but our courtyard will be less protected and need more watering.

This is what it used to be like:

This is now:

I have to wonder about carparks. I use them so before I complain, maybe it’s time to walk more.

It reminds me of the pop up park in Tarwin St. The loss of four carparks seemed enough for it’s removal.

I still love this great social media (satire) comment made by Alt_Art co-director Steph (who also started a new job this week-well done!):

This weeks local news:

http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/5203007/tarwin-street-institution-gone-with-closure-of-tanias-deli/

Things that make you go mmmmmm

The eclipse brought many changes and most of them were happy ones for me. The challenging ones have now transformed me and will bring the goods in the long run. The Leo eclipse was in my 8th house can you tell?

My favourite TED talk for this emotional eclipse week was:

The gift and power of emotional courage

Making space

January 21, 2018

johblogs

community reflection work No Comments

Since I’ve come back from my summer break, I’ve been working with Youth Space Latrobe who are on an important mission to co-design a new space for young people in Latrobe Valley. If you know a young person who has great ideas and would like to participate – please share this with them. It’s a huge opportunity and responsibility.

I had the opportunity to share our process of making The VRI space with them.

It was satisfying to remember and talk about the important background work we did with Rosalea Monacella, Craig Douglas, the amazing team from ReActivate Latrobe Valley and our community. I speak to Rose very often since they’ve moved overseas, but still miss having her around. We did so much together- winter and spring festivals, #getsunflowered, 50 Mile Farmers market and especially for me The VRI. We met with countless community groups, businesses and stakeholders.

It’s good to reflect. I’m so busy moving on to the next project or program that I don’t look back on all that’s been done.

I showed the clip that was produced after our consultation.

I found our initial design concept presentation for The VRI which we were calling LV Community Shed or VRI Hall at the time, before we got our branding from The View From Here. It’s tattered from sharing (as shown in photo). So many conversations and meetings around that big pile of paper.

Two Weeks

Car Parks

Making space

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