Within communities, people hold different views of the world developed from their own experiences.
Study Circles provide a forum where these differences can be respected and learnt from to work towards a common goal.
Members of a Study Circle become familiar with how to work in this democratically responsible manner.
The Centre has published a Study Circle’s kit that will assist groups to:
“It was a very good method of each individual learning to understand how groups work and it had very sound foundations.”
(Study group member, Sandy Point, 1999)
Copies of the Study Circle Kit are available for sale for a printed copy or free for a download copy, through our Publications page.
Recognising innovative, sustainable and socially just co-operative community culture. Not a competition – a recognition.
Which Awards?
Not the Order of Australia, Australian of the Year, Logies, Arias or even Citizen of the Year- but ‘The OTHER Awards.’ The Awards that celebrate the work of local community groups who work creatively, tirelessly, co-operatively and ingeniously for the good of the community.
Why have ‘The Other Awards’?
There are many levels of recognition of achievement in Australia. Some of these are initiated by Federal, State or local government while others come from sporting clubs, schools, universities, workplaces, etc. They honour all sorts of excellence from the arts and entertainment through to charity work. Most awards honour outstanding people who have made a difference in their industry, workplace or community.
But before ‘The Other Awards’ there wasn’t any community initiated awards that recognise and acknowledge the work of their own local community groups and the amazing accomplishments they achieve from year to year.
More information on ‘The Other Awards’ is available here (PDF 1.3 Mb)
Facilitator: Michelle Theobald There are 6 women in the Orbost Study Circle. ‘Women on the Move’ – they are a diverse group with common – and varied – interests. Sharing stories about other communities led them to reflect on great Orbost projects such as the Exhibition Centre, the Rainforest Centre, the Mosaic Pathway, Forest Park […]
Facilitator: Fiona York The Goongerah Study Circle proved a good mix of interests across the nine members. Common themes identified by the group included education, employment and housing. Although anticipated ‘outcomes’ did not occur immediately, most felt the experience to be valuable – learning facilitation skills, the need for ground rules and recapping – they […]
Buchan facilitator: Paul Harper 2 Study Circles were drawn from the Buchan district. The first group involved 16 people – all with ‘under 5s’. Lack of childcare delayed the start of this group and became an immediate focus. Initially there was frustration, even anger over the urgent need to improve family services in the district. […]
Facilitator: Kate Cartwright The Boolarra Study Circle provided a way to nurture local knowledge. Mutual love for our beautiful rural environment, and the safety and health of our family were core values connecting this group of individual, thoughtful women into a mutually supportive network. In this safe, comfortable environment we learned to value each other’s […]