Community Stories – Central West Queensland Community Builders
Working alongside the Central West Queensland Community Builders, Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S and community connector Sarah Ferriday, is nothing short of motivational.
This dedicated cohort of community leaders reinforces our shared vision for a more resilient and thriving Central West Queensland.
Their innovative thinking, tireless determination, and unwavering spirit in the face of challenges is propelling us all forward on a journey of progress and positive change.
It is a privilege to witness so many moments where ideas are transformed into possibilities and where collaboration becomes the catalyst for transformation.
Thank you to our Central West Queensland Community Builders.
From Jen Curnow-Trotter – Community Programs Manager
Click the photo to view their profile
Dale Bignell
What town do you reside: Isisford (Capital of Gods Country)
What do you love about your town: The community, history of the area. Friendliness of the people. The Barcoo River runs past the town. The fishing that goes with the river and camping
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program? The community comes on board. We have our 150 year celebration next year and hopefully more of the community come on board i.e. draw in/attract new volunteer
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town? Looking after our senior citizens (40/100/Over 60). Aged care. Having no policeman in town. Housing – attracting more people to live in town. Keeping our businesses going. Getting them to work together. Small group of people to make events happen
What do you want people to know about your town? We are an open and friendly town; we have great tourist attractions. 5 museums, 3 wange yellow belly fish, the large one has put Isisford on the map. 3 huge events held over the year – Isisford Sheep and Wool show, Isisford Fishing competition, Isisford Races. Sir Wally Roe school sports, our Fossil and Museum cafe
What other towns inspire you and why? Lilydale – Tassie, Darall Village that was on its knees, through loss of industry. Community rallied by attracting tourist. Winton – seem to have a very strong community, to make events happen. Strong driving force
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional. 4th generation Isisford Ite, 3rd Generartion Bignell. To serve on council. Long ago I played touch footy against Wally Lewis. I am a big into recycling – Containers for Change
Carolyn Franzmann
What town do you reside: Clermont
What do you love about your town: Sense of belonging, feeling of peace and being grounded
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program? I would like the community to appreciate how amazing the place is; I would like visitor’s reactions to know what areas we can improve so their experience is amazing
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town? Accessing services – everything from medical to car servicing à we always have to travel to larger centres
What do you want people to know about your town? How relaxed and charming it is, how friendly the people are, it’s historic relevance
What other towns inspire you and why? Hughenden – it embraces it’s history – dinosaur wheelie bins; its industries – windmill structures in the main street, it takes risks – Lake, 7 day free camping
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional. I’m a rugby league tragic – I’ve followed the sport my whole life, been involved in committees, written for the now defunct rugby league week, and the QRL website, and was one of the inaugural Women in League finalists flown to Sydney by the NRL for the presentation. The winner came from Moura
Jaimie Lee Prow
What town do you reside:
What do you love about your town:
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program?
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town?
What do you want people to know about your town?
What other towns inspire you and why?
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional.
Jane
What town do you reside:
What do you love about your town:
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program?
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town?
What do you want people to know about your town?
What other towns inspire you and why?
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional.
jocelyn
What town do you reside:
What do you love about your town:
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program?
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town?
What do you want people to know about your town?
What other towns inspire you and why?
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional.
Juliee Blackall
What town do you reside:
What do you love about your town:
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program?
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town?
What do you want people to know about your town?
What other towns inspire you and why?
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional.
Kimble Thomas
What town do you reside: Ilfracombe
What do you love about your town: Machinery Mile, The Wellshot community events (ANZAC Day). The historical value
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program? A stronger sense of belonging – Identify as being from Ilfracombe – not Longreach. Take ownership of our town
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town? Having to go elsewhere for all services – basic needs
What do you want people to know about your town? The historical value of where why and how the township developed. The train line – station – machinery mile
What other towns inspire you and why? The nice modern dress shops in Blackall. Gardens and development of Miles
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional. I grew up in Papua New Guinea. Went to Boarding school from grade 3. Love being creative – gardening home life, and all the simple things in life
Mia Fletcher
What town do you reside: Clermont
What do you love about your town: I love the community. The people. The history of the town and how its been preserved. The town has a lot of character, it feels like a cute country town
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program? For myself its personal growth. Gaining the additional knowledge on how I can improve our town, how we really put Clermont on the map. Understanding what we do well, our assets/uniqueness that we can build on and what new ideas we can bring to town and how to sell that/get the community on board
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town? Lack of resources, turnover of people because of mine – hard to get community members to invest/commit
What do you want people to know about your town? LThe history of the town – what its been through/recovered from. The people – how welcoming it is. That it is worth stopping.
What other towns inspire you and why? Boonah. Town entrance well kept, lots of flowers/clean/maintained – plays on the cute, cottage feel
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional. I’m quite a creative person – Love art and drawing and always try and incorporate that into my professional roles particularly for events
Sandra Warren
What town do you reside: Ilfracombe
What do you love about your town: The common in front of my door step. Safety! The whole town looking out for each other
What would you like to see happen for you and your community at the completion of the program? Working with other small communities to support each other and put us on the map. Creating a family friendly space. Potentially a novelty festival?
What’s your biggest challenge living in a small town? Distance!
What do you want people to know about your town? How easy it is to spend a day/two and explore. How much we have to offer
What other towns inspire you and why? Barcy – painted shop fronts. Winton – Festivals. Aramacl Bercy – Sculpture trail
Tell us something unique about you that people may not know, either personal or professional. Was on family duel when I was 14