Where does this pop up?
As part of its 2024 pilot, Rural Pride Australia came to the GoulburnValley, on Yorta Yorta country, on Friday 8th November 2024. A national mapping workshop was held at TheChurch @ Maude, Shepparton. Our thanks to owners Uniting Vic-Tas for their support.
The workshop was attended by 13 locals from across the Goulburn Valley. The workshop included representatives from GVPride, Diversity Project, Uniting Vic-Tas, Greater Shepparton City Council, as well as other representatives from local government, schools, youth work, community groups and services, members of GV Pride’s executive, sexual health, research, diversity and inclusion, local lived experience with a disability.
When we asked what they love about living inthe Goulburn Valley, participant answers included:
· our Pride Cow;
· it’s where my friends and chosen family are; it’s a place to call home;
· because of Out in the Open Festival, the GV Pride Hub, the Diversity (youth) project and Council’s work;
· it’s a diverse area, with diverse cultures, the diversity of Shepparton;
· we’re not in an echo chamber or a bubble of views;
· even if there’s diverse views, it’s not coming from a place of hate, and it’s more about understanding;
· it’s the beautiful accumulation of 50 years of LGBTIQA+ work: 30 years of the Diversity Project at Uniting, and 20 years with GV Pride;
· Pride cow and (inclusive) rainbow flagpole are an absolute highlight;
· everyone says hello to you;
· love that I know my neighbours and how the community wraps around you when you need it; and,
· the beautiful spots like the lake, the trees, the birds.
When we asked why it important for them to attend, participant answers included:
· for our own mental health – coming together;
· most of our knowledge comes through sharing;
· here to learn and to better understand the needs of the community;
· managing diversity portfolios at the local Council and feel a responsibility to advocate about LGBTIQA+ inclusion to Council;
· on my own journey and here to learn;
· it’s so important to come together to share experiences and successes, and to work towards greater (local) equity, and to take this to other communities;
· because I come to this project passionate about digital access to LGBTIQA+ resources and joy, and pathways to report when you’re not going well; and,
· “You shouldn’t have to move to the big smoke to thrive”.
Early in this demonstration project, we’re road-testing a local LGBTIQA+ inclusion score, by assigning scores for each level of the rating system, combining for a potential score of 100. We’re mindful that this score might not be helpful or welcomed for some communities. For this workshop, the potential score ranges from 35 to 55/100.
53% of participants felt better about living in regional, rural and remote as an LGBTIQA+ person or ally as a result of this national mapping workshop. 38% of participants felt the same as before, whilst one participant (12%), unfortunately, felt worse.
· “Because we are so far behind”;
· “Lots of work is being done, lots more to do”;
· “I believe I’m in the right place; I have found my people which is harder in metro areas”;
· “I’ve learnt that there’s a lot happening in the space, although more work needs to be done to raise awareness and educate”;
· “The Pride Cow and Out in the Open Festival this weekend”;
· “Having lived in several places, this workshop was eye-opening in that we have not always found our community. However we have certainly landed somewhere that’s doing better than most”;
· “The GV Pride Cow – we can do this!”;
· “It’s a reminder that we are not in this alone and every workshop brings new connections”;
· “There were some great signs of hope and also some stark realities”; and,
· “Because I know there are so many strong advocates in our corner working hard to keep this progressing.”
This national demonstration project is mapping three communities in every state and territory, road-testing five community factors identified by LGBTIQA+ people in regional, rural and remote areas: visibility, safety, inclusion, diversity & intersectionality, and community cohesion. We’re also trialling a five-level rating scale designed to be used by local LGBTIQA+ people (not outsiders), from No Evidence Yet through to Living the RRR LGBTIQA+ Dream. After small group discussions, the group agreed on a draft set of ratings.
Finally, we got lots of positive feedback for coming to the Goulburn Valley to do this mapping exercise, including:
· “Gratitude. Thank you”;
· “I learnt so much, as an ally – and it was overall a great, informative session”;
· “I’m excited to see where this grows to and goes to”;
· “I would love this work to be shared with the new [Commissioner] to enable local leader roundtables with mainstream service CEOs”;
· “Great facilitation! You hold a very warm and inclusive space. I felt engaged, willing and able to contribute for the entire time! Thank you!”;
· “Just thank you, you genuinely wonderful human <3”; and,
· “I always feel inspired and able to continue my work in the space after learning from Daniel!”
RuralPride Australia shared a report back to community for feedback, and committed to publishing these pilot community results on our website.
We'll check in with theHuon Valley from periodically to see what is the same, what’s changed and whatelse can be added to what we’ve collected. We’ll also update locals on what we’ve found in other communities too!