COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
The Community Action Network (CAN) is a new initiative designed to bring together communities across the Goulburn Murray region to collaboratively address local challenges and embrace opportunities for growth. The program is built around two key components:
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Resilience Practitioner Training — a foundational learning opportunity that equips participants with tools to build community resilience, navigate complexity, and lead local action with confidence.
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Community Insight Sessions — locally hosted workshops where community members come together to identify needs, share knowledge, and co-design potential initiatives for positive change.
This work will lead into our 2025 Regional Mobilisation Summit to be held in October 2025. Information on 2024 summit and report can be found here - GMCL | Regional Mobilisation Summit.
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This initiative highlights the strength of collective action and the value of community engagement. Participants of the Community Action Network can connect with like-minded individuals, develop practical solutions, and contribute to meaningful progress in their local areas. Driven by the energy and insights of its members, each hub supports the creation of impactful projects that meet real needs and enhance the region's overall well-being.​​​​​
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Fig.1 A snapshot of the Community Action Network (CAN Hub) journey — highlighting key milestones throughout the year, including CAN Hub Part 1 - Communities of Practice Training, CAN Hub Part 2 - Community Insight Session,, Advocacy Tour and Regional Mobilisation Summit.
RESILIENCE CANOPY PRACTITIONER TRAINING
This marks the next stage following the Fairley Leadership Program’s place-based exploration — equipping locals with the tools, knowledge, and networks to turn regional insights into grassroots resilience initiatives. Community-minded individuals across the Goulburn Murray region are invited to take part in this hands-on training, designed to help build stronger, more connected, and future-ready communities.
As living costs rise, extreme weather events intensify, and social isolation grows, building community resilience has never been more critical. Nearly half of Australians live in areas with low-to-moderate climate resilience (BHNRC, 2020), facing growing social and economic challenges.
Through this partnership with The Resilience Canopy, the Resilience Canopy Practitioner Training Program will be delivered in the Goulburn Murray region. It empowers everyday community members with the skills, knowledge, and connections to drive local resilience initiatives — from improving access to health services and protecting biodiversity, to enhancing emergency response and local energy security.
TRAINING - CAMPASPE
23rd July - 5th August 2025
Bendigo Tafe, Echuca Campus
TRAINING - GREATER SHEPPARTON
31st July - 12th August 2025
Mooroopna Education & Activity Centre
INSIGHT SESSIONS
The Insight Sessions are dynamic, community-led workshops held across the Goulburn Murray region, building on the Resilience Practitioner Training. These sessions bring together diverse local voices to identify key challenges, surface ideas, and shape practical, place-based solutions. By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and shared ownership, each session supports the design of initiatives that reflect real community needs — laying the groundwork for collective action at the upcoming Regional Mobilisation Summit.
Tell us
WHAT YOU RECKON!
We would love to hear from you! In partnership with Make a Change Australia, we have put together this questionnaire and it is for anyone who cares about their local town, community or region – whether you’re involved in projects already, or just have ideas to share. By answering these questions, you’ll help to:
• Shape future support & opportunities in the region
• Inform what GMCL focuses on next, based on real community priorities
• Spark new conversations, connections & ways to get involved