Communities of Focus Learning Snapshot - Mission Australia’s Communities of Focus initiative aims to create positive social change through a place-based community-led approach. This summary outlines our lessons so far.

This Yidinji, Malanbarra Yidinji and Gulgibarra Yidinji clans, the custodians of the Cairns South region, the Whadjuk Noongar clans the custodians of enables continuous and iterative reflection the Maddington region; as well as the Ngoonooru Wajarri and the on progress and allows processes to be Yugunga-Nya people, the custodians of the lands around Meekatharra. [...] The traditional owners of the lands around Meekatharra are the Ngoonooru Wajarri to the west (part of the Wajarri Yamatji people) and the Yugunga-Nya people to the east Meekatharra has a population of just over 700 people, of which approximately half are Aboriginal. [...] This ensured that the experience of community was not linked to an individual and that Mission Australia was able to leverage diverse relationships between staff and community to build engagement and recognising that the final decision to begin a Community of Focus sat with community. [...] The local structures required to drive change need to adapt and evolve The organising structure and role of agencies, stakeholders and community is likely to vary depending on the stage of an initiative. [...] The backbone provides a key role in coordination and maintaining momentum The critical role of the local team and the support from the National team are pivotal for ensuring overall coordination and rallying local members of the initiative, especially during challenging times or when there is a dip in energy and momentum.