Meet Port Hedland’s Local Doers: Patrycja Rosinska from Portside Town Team

We like to bang on about how great (or rather, OK!) Perth is – but our greatness doesn’t just happen out of nowhere!

With a mission to create thriving, connected and empowered communities, Town Team Movement is all about “doers”.

We’re partnering up with Town Team Movement so we can shine a light on some of the people who help make our communities so unique, and just a few of the excellent initiatives they’re working on.

This week, we’re featuring Patrycja Rosinska, one of the brains behind Portside Town Team, one of the Pilbara’s local Town Teams.

I know you’re a specialist in community and place development. Can you elaborate on where your enthusiasm for community development originated?

We all desire to live in happy and engaged communities where we feel connected and welcomed. Sometimes this isn’t naturally occurring, or it requires initiatives with a bit of a spark to improve things. That’s where I come in. I consider myself a change enabler in community development, focusing on what can be done to make things better. It’s about understanding why people complain or feel like nothing is happening, and realising that we can change it by being these change makers. My motivation also stems from a personal desire to live in a better place.

Do you have any anecdotes or stories about what sparked your decision to become a change maker?

There are many moments, but one significant one was in Europe when I was a young student working multiple jobs. We felt there wasn’t enough happening in our streets, and our multicultural community wasn’t adequately represented. So, we organised a large multicultural street party. At 20 years old, I was closing a main street in Warsaw and bringing together migrants to represent their cultures. We had multicultural parades and villages, building understanding and bridges between cultures while celebrating our amazing city.

You seem to see many opportunities in spaces and places. How do you define a place, and what makes a place engaging and active in your opinion?

It’s interesting to observe how people interact with public spaces like cafes. A good place is where people genuinely connect, engage, and spend time. In our town centres and local streets, if local businesses thrive and people spend time there—having coffee, working, bringing their children and dogs—that’s a sign something was done right. If people just come to buy something and leave, something is missing. Sometimes high traffic and speeds can make a place less inviting and safe. Every space has potential to become great, but it needs to be developed with local people and tailored to their needs.

What steps or approaches do you take when you see a place with potential that needs activation?

It depends on whether I know the people who own the place or see some opportunities available. I always have ideas to enliven a place. For instance, starting with a simple initiative like writing on the pavement with chalk “Have a beautiful day.” If a place is uninviting, small efforts can inspire others to continue the trend. It’s also about knowing the stakeholders and starting conversations to identify opportunities for improvement. The aim is not to do it for them but to assist and make them aware of the support available from local government and organisations like Town Team Movement. There are always opportunities to do something, and building relationships, understanding the place, and understanding the people are crucial.

How do you differentiate between the placemaking approach and more conventional approaches to community activation?

Placemaking can sound like a big word, but it’s simply about making great places for people with people. It involves taking people on a journey to create public open spaces, with collaboration as the key. Improving internal collaboration within local government, state government agencies, and external collaboration with the community’s input is essential, allowing for culture, experience, and ideas to flourish in the projects.

Can you mention examples of when you’ve successfully supported local communities?

For example, the Town Team I started in Port Hedland addressed the need to bridge the gap between businesses, organisations, and local government. We realised it was in our common interest to improve our place for our businesses, families, and communities. Addressing community complaints and involving them in the process is crucial. Our organisation aims to inspire, empower, and support the community’s capabilities, showing them that things can be done at no cost or low cost. We organised Mother’s Day markets to showcase regional creatives and connect them with customers, promoting local shopping. We also organised Christmas Twilight Festivals, one of the largest in the Pilbara, ensuring regional communities don’t feel disadvantaged due to their location.

Support comes through placemaking education courses and working directly with communities and local governments. It’s also important to support local doers who drive projects but may need inspiration and support.

The Town Team Movement model is brilliant because it’s open and inclusive. You don’t have to be incorporated; it can be a group of residents or local businesses wanting to improve their local place. This flexibility allows for more community involvement and action. 

You’ve spent considerable time in regional WA, specifically around the Pilbara. What are your observations on the socio-economic benefits of having an engaged community?

The Pilbara is a transient place, with people coming for job contracts and often staying permanently. The sense of community is strong, and there’s a need for more permanent residents to strengthen it. Providing accommodating public spaces where people can gather after work or school is crucial. This helps people feel at home and encourages them to stay longer, benefiting local economies and community well-being.

For instance, I started the 49th town team in Port Hedland. We organised Mother’s Day markets to showcase regional creatives and connect them with customers, promoting local shopping. We also organised Christmas Twilight Festivals, one of the largest in the Pilbara, ensuring regional communities don’t feel disadvantaged due to their location.

What are some of the most prominent challenges people involved in community activation face?

Trust is a major challenge, especially building relationships with various agencies like local government. Bureaucracy can be a significant hurdle. Establishing good relationships can alleviate some of the bureaucratic challenges. Our “Book of Doing” is a collection of actions undertaken by various town teams, demonstrating that community-led initiatives can have positive outcomes. This helps build confidence in local projects.

Where do you see the Town Team Movement in a few years?

The opportunities are endless. One of our co-founders mentioned that they hope one day we won’t be needed because places will be so great and connected. However, as an organisation, we are evolving organically, and it’s encouraging to see our online resources being downloaded worldwide, including in South America and Canada.

Can you share something that has made you particularly proud during your journey with Town Team Movement?

There are many proud moments, from making a difference to inspiring others and improving places. For example, seeing the Town Team I helped establish in Port Hedland still thriving and the projects we initiated still making an impact is incredibly rewarding. What makes me happy is seeing so many others doing amazing things out of love for their communities and a desire to make a difference. It’s fulfilling to wake up each day knowing you’re doing something right. Working with Town Team Movement feels more like a passion than a job, and I find daily inspiration in it.

Want to get involved and become a doer in your own community? Head to the Town Team Movement website to learn more.

Photography and interview by Ophélie Barbeau, edited by Perth is OK!