Meet the Wheatbelt’s Local Doers: Vanessa and Caroline from Narembeen 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 Vanessa and Caroline, two of the brains behind Narembeen Town Team, one of the Wheatbelt’s local Town Teams.

Let’s start with brief introductions from each of you.

Vanessa: I’m originally from Germany but have lived in Narembeen for a decade. I have experience in event management and community development, and I’m passionate about nurturing our tight-knit community.

Caroline: I’m from Perth originally but found my home here in Narembeen through marriage. I’ve been here for 17 years now. I work on regional development and governance. I got interested in the Town Team Movement because it offers a flexible way to make positive changes.

What made you start the Narembeen Town Team, and what were the initial challenges?

Vanessa: Our team is made up of people with different skills, from consulting to event planning. We’re friends, but more importantly, we’re action-oriented. This mix of skills and friendship has helped us succeed.

Caroline: I’ve worked with Town Teams in other areas before. In Narembeen, we saw that volunteer burnout and personal issues were holding back community projects. Starting the Town Team brought new energy to our community work.

How do you get more people involved and trust in your projects?

Caroline: We stick to the Town Team’s principles: being democratic, inclusive, and fun. We actively invite people to join us and try to make it enjoyable. We keep things informal and relaxed.

Vanessa: Sharing our completed projects on social media gets people interested and involved. We’re open to anyone who wants to volunteer, not just our core group. Trust is essential, so we focus on clear communication and reliability.

Is good communication crucial in your relationship with the local government?

Vanessa: Definitely. We’ve built trust over the years by working together on successful projects. We show our commitment through open communication and being reliable.

Caroline: We take on projects that others might avoid, which shows our dedication. For example, fixing up neglected storefronts showed that we’re committed to improving our town.

How do you balance town team work with your personal life?

Caroline: As a parent, I see community involvement as a way to set a good example for my kids. It also helps me stay informed for my consulting work.

What’s the difference between community development in rural areas like Narembeen compared to metro areas?

Vanessa: In rural areas, we focus more on informal community development. We build on the closeness that already exists in our small community.

How would you describe the relationship between the local government, community, and your Town Team?

Vanessa: It’s all about trust and communication. We work together with the council and the community to make progress, even when we don’t always agree.

Caroline: Everyone has a role to play in making our community better. Without working together, we won’t make much progress. It’s all about working together for the long-term good.

What are your plans for the Narembeen Town Team in the next five years?

Caroline: We want to keep things stable and keep up the momentum we’ve built. We’ll take on new projects as they come up, without feeling pressure to grow too fast.

Caroline: Our approach is flexible and focused on the community, not on making money. We’re all about grassroots efforts and making our community better for everyone.

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

Interview by Ophélie Barbeau, edited by Perth is OK!