Connecting with Neighbours
Staying Connected
Prior to setting up our chat groups in 2020, communication was almost exclusively by word of mouth, or a very occasional email, if you were included on someone’s personal list. Setting up our groups after the fires has given us a massive advantage. We would never have achieved what we have without it.
In Upper Yango, we set up two groups. One group is solely for landholder information, that is best described as business. Belonging to this group is pretty much the only thing we ask of landholders in our valley. The second group is a community chat group. Its described as social. This is where people can exchange recipes, catch up on gossip or have a joke. This group is very much optional, because we recognise that some people prefer not to be disturbed by conversations that are not relevant to them. Having two groups allows the business and social posts to be kept separate.
In emergencies, or when there is something that impacts everyone, such as a power outage, getting the information to everyone quickly and easily, is a great help. Even something as simple as a truck making a delivery, can pose a minor delay or danger on a narrow private road. Having a way to let the neighbours know, is both helpful and polite. Just meeting your legal obligations to inform your neighbours of a proposed pile burn, is made that much easier when you have a Chat Group.
ww.upperyango.au
This website is another example of community communication. In this instance, its very much a one way conversation. A very important conversation that is all about sharing knowledge. Helping others to find their way in a new and often daunting landscape of natural disasters and personal struggle. How a group of close neighbours can make a genuine difference.
We hope you find the lessons we learnt helpful in finding your own path to a more secure and safer future.
Many people belong to a variety of messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, connecting people, groups and neighbourhoods in the virtual world. Having a neighbourhood chat group in the bush is an easy way to manage local affairs, ask for advice of help, manage community responsibilities and inform neighbours.