Despite a lack of services, two NSW districts demonstrate community spirit and strong social cohesion according to recent research findings.

 

Members of the Narromine and Warren communities recently participated in a capacity assessment research project to finetune the development and future success of the region.

 

The project was initiated by Dr Julaine Allan from the Centre for Inland Health at Charles Sturt University (CSU) and facilitated by Mrs Helen Russ, a former community development worker in the area.

 

“We want to thank the people of Narromine and Warren for participating in and contributing to this Community Capacity Assessment,” Dr Allan said. “The process was embraced with enthusiasm and energy, which is indicative of the nature and resilience of the people who live and work in rural Australia and their commitment to sustainable rural communities.”

 

“The Narromine and Warren communities show vision and leadership by adopting this rigorous process,” said Dr Allan. “It is important for the communities to recognise that they are at a significant part in the development of their towns.”

 

Funded by a CSU competitive grant, the Assessment has found that these rural communities, like so many others, are to some extent struggling due to a mixture of social, political and environmental impacts.  However, perhaps due to the unique structure of their communities, the people of Narromine and Warren face some fairly significant challenges in the near future. 

 

“Due to poor data, few links between sectors and a lack of community access to decision-makers at state and Commonwealth levels, there has been little to no planning process in these towns,” Dr Allan says. “The Community Capacity Assessment tool attempts to remedy this.”

 

Narromine and Warren have been significantly affected by the ongoing drought and other structural issues affecting rural communities in Australia, particularly lack of resources.  The difficulties experienced by this capacity suggest a contraction of the local economy and inadequate levels of support from all three tiers of government.  However, the community of Narromine is fortunate to have sufficient levels of the facilities it requires, adequate mass within its programs and services and, above all, sound social capital and exceptional community spirit.

 

Warren has strong community spirit and this is supported by community networks, relationships, organisations and services that are almost as strong.  This reflects a community with strong social cohesion, which is one of the most significant indicators of a community that is functioning effectively at a social level. 

 

“Practical problems facing Narromine include a profound lack of resourcing, which must be addressed urgently,” said Dr Allan.  “In addition, the community would benefit significantly from improvements in leadership, perhaps through leadership training, as well as increased sensitivity to the complexities of inclusion and cultural awareness.

 

“Similarly, Warren must address this community ‘resources gap’ as a matter of urgency.  In the same way that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, Warren’s sectors cannot be any stronger than their weakest capacity, which in this case is resources, both physical/financial, and human. Specific areas of concern include the management of human resources.  The people of Warren are strong supporters of their community, but have reached a point where there are insufficient people willing and/or available to do the work that needs to be done.”