Approximately 150 people, locals and visitors alike, attended the first day of the convention, followed by 130 the next day. Though discussions focused primarily on local issues, the outcomes and suggested actions were such they could be applied anywhere. 

“I came home inspired and it continues .. [It has] been a long time since I felt this energised,  working with people who see past the barriers is so refreshing and rewarding,” a guest from Coonabarabran wrote later.

Though some might wonder if the message was preaching to the converted, the Change Agency’s James Whelan said people who had never been involved in events such as this were in attendance, with many of them meeting each other for the first time.

“There was no shouting, just listening. It has been a long time coming, and there was nothing negative about it. It’s uncommon for a community to empower themselves, and  it takes a lot of hard work and energy to get it going,” James said.

There was a universal feeling from those attending that Gloucester shifted gear during the sessions.

“I saw and felt it shifting from despair to optimism. Gloucester is so full of small and active groups, it realised it can be in charge of its future. The focus shifted from ‘what we don’t have’ to ‘what we do have’. It went from reacting to envisioning,” James said.

Organiser Kerry Hartigan said highlights included sessions by Cheryl Kernot on how councils, businesses and organisations can create economic growth, Amanda Cahill from the Centre for Social Change, Uniting Church’s Reverend Tom Stuart who discussed rediscovering spirituality to meet future challenges, and Gary McDouall who created a vision for a regenerative future.

Small group discussions involved topics such as cooperatives and a space for creative projects; a cafe and commercial kitchen at the Tucker Patch, which could diversify into holding community events not solely focused around gardening; an emphasis on tree-change weekends; supporting refugees to move to Gloucester; establishing a post-secondary educational institution; a community foundation to fund community projects and an ecumenical social cooperative space. 

James said the biggest action group meeting looked at what a community renewable energy project might look like. He added that economics and culture were the driving forces behind each discussion.

“The key information to be sharing is next steps and contact details,” James said.

While the wait begins to find out what those next steps might be, Kerry Hartigan sent a thank you to all the schools and CWA for their support in holding the convention.