About Kojonup Working

History

The Kojonup community started planning the project in 1998. Farm work was seasonal and mostly done on contract. Seasonal work was casual with a long off-season. The local Shire Council wanted to help farm workers settle in the district by finding them full time work. To do this the project was expanded to facilitate employment and training opportunities in all local industries. Some community development projects were created and further opportunities to create employment, enterprise and learning were identified. In 1999, Kojonup received funding from the Western Australian Department of Training to develop a Community Employment Project. Over the next two years, a sustainable system was developed to assist workers, farmers and local businesses with employment. A voluntary committee and working group oversees the project and monitors employment needs.

As support grew, the group decided to start planning for the future. The Great Southern Area Consultative Committee, The Shire of Kojonup and the then Department of Training funded a futurist to help the community with a future scenario plan. The 2003 - 2005 Development Plan was a result of extensive community consultation, our community values, the pilot project History and our future vision. The plan included a core employment and career guidance mechanism and 6 project areas with employment potential. The Rio Tinto WA Future Fund was approached and agreed to fund the development of the plan that would lead to a sustainable mechanism.

During 2005 Kojonup Working received assistance from Lotterywest to establish a Community Learning Resource Area at the local Country Women's Association Branch rooms. The WA Department of Education and Training assisted us to develop Youth Mentoring and Rural Career Development procedures suited to rural and remote communities.

Kojonup Working's core, local employment, learning and enterprise activities are now embedded in the community. With the support of the Shire Council, Local Business and volunteers Kojonup Working can be sustained and the range of workshops offered at the Community Learning Resource Area will be expanded during 2006 to include business and enterprise training. By the end of 2006 Kojonup Working will operate as a collaborative partnership with The Kojonup Shire Council, the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund, and First Steps Planning and Development to assist other rural and remote communities through the "Working Communities Program". A Community Group Development and Rural and Remote Community Issues Research Consultancy was added to the range of services.

Our Vision

Kojonup will be an economically prosperous and socially vibrant community, welcoming people to settle in Kojonup. A range of employment, enterprise and learning activities that reflect the community values will be nurtured.

Our Values

Community Empowerment

Kojonup Working core activities and projects are be community managed and undertaken by community members. Projects will be designed with a core mechanism that is not reliant on external control and has a realistic community volunteer component. Kojonup’s history as a strong community that gets on with the job will be nurtured. The volunteer hours and contributions of community members will continue and be recognised and celebrated.

Enabling Leadership

Kojonup Working is managed by a working team with consensus decision making that enables members to identify opportunities and resources, develop actions and monitor progress. This coordinated approach is promoted to Working Communities.

Partnerships and Networks

Kojonup Working will make use of existing resources and services by forming collaborative partnerships and networks with rural districts, groups and organisations with similar community based values. Partnerships and networks make communities more effective and efficient and community groups working together will be stronger, giving funding leverage.

Project Driven

Kojonup Working and the activities supported will arise from needs in the community and be project driven not a response to funding. Community engagement followed by regular community consultation will occur to ensure projects meet community expectations. Ideas and stories will be proposed before resources are considered.

Mentored Learning

Ongoing learning and skill development that includes a range of age groups and cultures will be included in each project area. Mentoring and small group activities that meet the needs of small rural communities will be encouraged.

Quadruple Bottom Line

Kojonup Working ensures each project area has outcomes that take into account a quadruple bottom line – economic, social, creative and environmental.