‘Dialogue To Change’ Action Outcomes From Hobsons Bay Study Circles

The City of Hobsons Bay in Victoria’s inner north-west has hosted a series of Community Wide Study Circles that will be used to inform the Council’s Employment, Education and Lifelong Learning Plan.

The 3 week round of circles was followed by an Action Forum where all the study circle groups came together to work on their action outcomes:

• Community Noticeboards in shopping centres
• Awareness campaign of local learning opportunities
• More research into local employment needs
• Create a learning network to explore joint funding opportunities

The Participants’ Perspective

The most rewarding was the positive environment in which they could explore their local issues, widening their knowledge of the community and sharing and learning from each other’s opinions and experiences.

Comments included:
“Excellent process”
“This is a great process”
“Positive and informative”
“Do not let this initiative pass”
“Each week my understanding increased”
“Nice to meet friends I hadn’t met before”
“Continue study circles for the community”
“All sessions have been great and the process is new and refreshing”

An Outsider’s Perspective

Patricia Hale, Leisure and Strategic Planning, City of Whittlesea, says:

“When a colleague suggested I check out Facilitator Training for ‘Study Circles’ I thought he was talking about an international student support program; not that that wasn’t a great thing to do – but it wasn’t what I was after at the time. I trusted him and got onto the Pigs Will Fly website and found out more.

I liked what I saw; signed up for facilitator Training and that got me hooked. I just had to see how this worked in ‘real life’. I was lucky that one of the rostered facilitators for the Community Wide Study Circle Pilot project was away, so I got a gig as a recorder for one session and then I smooched my way into coming along for the final session and Action Forum where it all comes together in a plan.

What did I learn that made me glad I came? I learnt that spending the time to explore big issues is respectful and rewarding for all. I learnt that everybody can have their voice heard and find common ground. I learnt that diversity brings richness and satisfaction to the process and the outcomes. I learnt that there is a lot of planning and preparation behind what appears like an easy and simple technique. I also learnt that I want to know more.

For more info visit www.studycircles.net.au