Changemaker Career and Craft Hub
Dickson, CanberraThanks to everyone who attended and contributed to these events.
What was it about?
The Changemaker Career and Craft Hub offered a series of purpose-focused pop-up activations for adults and children, in Dickson Village. It was inspired by the Dickson Place Plan and secured a grant from the City Renewal Authority, ACT Government.
The key aims were:
- To provide interesting and motivational activations that encouraged community, people to learn something and potentially consider how they can be a changemaker; either through starting a business, changing jobs or volunteering. (The target audience through marketing messages was adults, particularly parents and others on a career break or looking for a change in their work.)
- To find, share stories of and draw together local changemakers with the community to spark conversations, connections and potentially action. This was delivered through the workshops and media and online coverage. I targeted local business owners as much as possible to showcase Dickson locals and spark potential connections.
- Create a child-friendly and family welcoming space and demonstrate how popup activities can be beneficial for bringing families in to an area, to stop and enjoy/relax, and help to create ‘a village’.
- Promote the concept of for-purpose craft, where people could contribute a small part towards a bigger project, making Brave Bots to give to kids in hospital.
Some of the highlights
- Over 150 people were recorded as visiting the Workshop and Craft and Catch-up Zones. There were also many observers and people who ‘stood by and watched’ and soaked up the scene.
- The key themes around why they were interested in attending were:
- Connecting with others
- Local events
- Sustainability / environment / climate change
- Art and craft
- Career change
- Starting a new business
- Generally interested in the topic / hearing from locals / looking for inspiration.
“My observations during my Dickson Village tour, and Karina’s awesome session, were that our activities were drawing attention and curiosity from locals as we moved around the various spaces. Perhaps locals are not used to seeing people gather like this in the public space, but I think it is a good indication that they welcome opportunities to engage with their community and village in different ways, outside of typical commercial activities. I noticed many people silently observing us, maybe a bit nervous to join, but otherwise happy to see The Village being activated in new ways, and the value in hosting the community to come together to learn, play, and connect.”
— Tim Mahlberg
When were the events?
- Fri 13 Nov, 10am-12:30pm
- Fri 20 Nov, 10am-12:30pm
- Sat 28 Nov, 10am-12:30pm
- Fri 4 Dec, 10am-12:30pm
What was the format?
A hub with two zones.
1: The Workshop Zone
Each morning will run slightly differently, depending on the workshop facilitators and activities. But what’s on generally: one or two workshops (30-60min) with a fantabulous local changemaker (or three!) or a career coach. YOU’LL NEED TO BOOK.
2: The Craft and Catch-up Zone (open 10:00am to 12:30pm)
Drop in for family-welcoming craft and other activities, coffee and mingling with others. SPACE LIMITED but tickets are NOT required.
What else did people say?
“I thought, felt or learned… Canberra is improving out of sight. I enjoyed… The passion of the people involved and a genuine desire to make the community better. The next step I plan to take is… Volunteer.”
“I thought, felt or learned… I felt comfortable showing with everyone and learned to try & embrace uncertainty more. I enjoyed… Being outside & walking around Dickson while thinking about the bigger picture. The next step I plan to take is… Write list of values & find out why important.”
“I thought, felt or learned… Inspired, connected, thought provoking. I enjoyed… Learning of local initiatives, passions and visions. The next step I plan to take is… Reconnect with people and become more involved.”
Workshops
Fri 13 Nov: Reimagining how we work
Fri 20 Nov: Be the change
Then join Lisa Tozer and Lydia Teychenne as they explore the nuts and bolts of starting on a completely new career path. Lisa Tozer combines her psychology and sales expertise to help her clients overcome stage fright and the stress of putting themselves out there in front of a potential employer or potential business contacts. Here is a fantastic opportunity to pick the brain of one of Canberra’s most dynamic career coaches.
Sat 28 Nov: Sustainability, food, life
You’ll meet: Emma Mason, Co-owner of Source Bulk Foods (Dickson) and Leadership Coach; Mark Howden, Director, Climate Change Institute at Australian National University; Nicola Lambert, Founder & Director at Create and Sow Community Art Interventions; Lyn Stephens, Founding Member of the Women’s Climate Congress.
Fri 4 Dec: Changing: Business, culture, us
Media coverage and our stories
Read the feature (page 09-20) in the dual-lingual CBR Life magazine
A series of blog posts
Listen to this short radio snippet on Mix106.3 FM
Keep in touch
Post by the Canberra Innovation Network about the Changemaker Hub
Contributors to our workshops
These wonderful people will also be contributing their stories, expertise and ideas. (Full biographies available here.)
Bronwen Jones
Architect & Urbanist, Design and Place Strategy at City Renewal Authority
Tim Mahlberg
Intrapreneur, Educator, Innovator and Catalyst
Karina Dugard
Leadership Coach, Career Strategist and Facilitator
Megan Gilmour
Social innovator, Co-Founder and CEO of Robots4Good, Missing School and Art of Agency
Lisa Tozer
Interview Coach for Candidates, Trainer for Interview Panelists and Owner of The Interview Coach
Nicola Lambert
Founder & Director at Create and Sow Community Art Interventions
Mark Howden
Director, Climate Change Institute at Australian National University
Emma Mason
Co-owner of Source Bulk Foods (Dickson) and Leadership Coach
Emma is also the Founder of Life. Done by Design, where she combines her extensive experience as a corporate educator in both private and public organisations with her love of teaching and passion for personal development. With a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology), Graduate Certificate in Education (Adult) and Masters In Knowledge Management, Emma has a love of lifelong learning.
Irene Lemon
Ideas-Maker, Innovator, Creative Social Enterprise Accelerator and Development Manager for The Mill House Ventures Ltd
Lyn Stephens
Founding Member of the Women's Climate Congress
David Jacquier
Founder of Game Candy and Treasurer with TROVE Canberra Cooperative
Bec Taylor
Founder of Bec Taylor School of Music
Simon Felgate
Operations Manager for Vinnies (Canberra Goulburn)
Angel Zhang
Co-owner of Super Bao restaurant and Advertising Executive
Jhay Mann
Place Manager for Dickson (with City Renewal Authority), Business Owner
Wendy Moore
Artist, Social Changemaker, Teacher
Dr Phil Dooley
Science Writer, Videomaker, Presenter and Science Communication Trainer
He is also a writer, videomaker, trainer, under the banner Phil Up On Science. He has written for Cosmos, New Scientist and the American Physical Society, and been selected for the Anthology of Best Australian Science Writing three times.
The team behind the event
Claire Harris
Event Producer, Communication-Marketing Strategist
Lydia Teychenné
Event consultant
Julia Boyd
Marketer and Communicator
Lucy Ridge
Writer and Event Support
Teagan Smith
Event Logistics and Marketing Support, Director of Mentor Your Way
COVID-19 protocols
Participant and community safety are a priority for this event. While ACT Government health requirements may change, as of 5 October, to meet them:
- All participants will be required to pre-book for the workshop sessions (no walk-ins will be allowed, sorry)
- Seating will be limited in the Craft and Catch-up Zone.
- There will be hand sanitising stations available and participants are required to sanitise their hands before craft can begin.
- All craft items/tools will be regularly cleaned and sanitised, as well as at the end of every day.
- On the day, please keep 1.5 metres of physical distance between yourself and others, and if you are feeling unwell, stay home.
Visit https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/ for all the latest health advice.