WHYLD Project Ideas Survey

1. Free Camping Zones in the Yarra Valley

Description: Designate certain areas within the Yarra Valley as free, low-impact camping zones to support low-income traveller’s, backpackers, or locals wanting a nature escape.

Implementation : Partner with local councils, Parks Victoria, and private landowners to identify safe, environmentally appropriate spaces for short-term camping. Prioritize locations near public toilets, water access, and walking trails, while protecting sensitive ecological zones.

2. Community Connections for People with Disabilities

Description:  A local group that creates regular inclusive social, creative, and outdoor events for people with disabilities, their families, and allies.

Implementation : Start by reaching out to local disability support providers, carers, families, and people with lived experience to co-design the group. Ensure the leadership includes people with disabilities wherever possible.

3. WHYLD Community Auto Care Initiative

Description: The Community Auto Care Initiative is a grassroots project aimed at empowering residents with basic car maintenance knowledge and services.

Implementation: Involve local volunteers, mechanics, vocational students, or retirees with automotive knowledge.

4. WHYLD Community Repair Café

Description: A monthly meetup where locals bring broken items—bikes, appliances, clothes—and volunteers help repair them.

Implementation: Partner with local tradies, handy folk, and sewing enthusiasts. Host it at a community hall or school. Promote through social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth. Offer tea, coffee, and conversation to create a warm vibe.

5. WHYLD Community Skill Swap

Description: A time-banking or skills exchange network—people trade skills like gardening, tutoring, tech help, etc.

Implementation: Use a Facebook group or simple online platform. Host monthly meetups for people to connect in person. Keep it informal and community-led.

6. WHYLD Community Garden Network

Description: Create or link up community gardens across towns to promote food security and sustainability.

Implementation: Start small—perhaps one garden in a park or unused space. Seek council support for land use, gather volunteers, and apply for small grants. Encourage schools and retirement homes to get involved.

7. Local Storytelling Nights

Description: Host regular evenings where locals share stories, poetry, or music around a fire or at a local venue.

Implementation: Team up with a local winery or café with event space. Have themed nights (e.g. “Tales from the Valley”). Promote intergenerational sharing to bring young and older people together.

8. Nature & River Clean-Up Days

Description: Organise quarterly clean-ups along the Yarra River, trails, and public spaces.

Implementation: Coordinate dates, provide gloves/bags, and get community groups or schools involved. Add a BBQ or picnic after to celebrate the work. Document the cleanup with photos to inspire others.

9. Bushfire Readiness Workshops

Description: Help residents prepare for bushfire season with expert-led sessions.

Implementation: Collaborate with the CFA or local fire authorities. Include practical tips, emergency kits, evacuation planning. Offer sessions in different towns to make them accessible.

10. WHYLD Community Tool Library

Description: A shared resource where locals can borrow tools for gardening, home repair, etc.

Implementation: Partner with the local council or men’s sheds. Collect donated tools, set up a simple borrowing system. Volunteers could manage sign-outs and returns.

11. Seasonal Food & Artisan Festival

Description: Celebrate local produce and crafts with pop-up stalls, workshops, and tastings.

Implementation: Use a central park or oval. Feature local growers, brewers, bakers, and creators. Involve music and family-friendly activities. Could be a quarterly event or tie into existing festivals.

12. Youth Art & Mural Project

Description: Empower local youth to design and paint murals on community buildings or fences.

Implementation: Engage schools and youth groups. Work with professional artists as mentors. Choose themes like “Future of Yarra” or “Voices of the Valley.” Launch with an unveiling celebration.

13. Neighbourhood Sharing Hubs

Description: Create physical or online hubs where people can share items like camping gear, baby equipment, games, or kitchen appliances.

Implementation: Use a community center or school as the drop-off/pick-up site. Set up a simple inventory system. Encourage a “give what you can, take what you need” mindset. Could be expanded to include a swap day each season.

14. Bushwalking & Wellbeing Trails

Description: Mark and map out local bushwalks with info signs that highlight mental health tips, indigenous culture, or flora/fauna.

Implementation: Work with Parks Victoria or Landcare. Use signage, QR codes, or a printable guide. Include mindfulness prompts or guided audio meditations created by locals.

15. WHYLD Community Cooking Nights

Description: Host regular community dinners where people learn to cook simple meals together using local, seasonal produce.

Implementation: Use a hall or school kitchen. Invite guest cooks (maybe local chefs or grandmas!). Could be donation-based, or participants bring an ingredient to share. Recipes can be compiled into a local cookbook.

16. Wildlife Habitat Corridors

Description: Help restore and connect green spaces to allow safe passage for native wildlife.

Implementation: Identify key areas (with council or environmental groups). Plant indigenous trees and shrubs. Engage local landowners and schools to help. Include monitoring of wildlife return over time.

17. WHYLD Community Wellbeing Week

Description: A weeklong series of events focused on health—yoga in the park, art therapy, bush bathing, mental health talks.

Implementation: Partner with local practitioners and health services. Use public spaces to keep it low-cost. End the week with a celebratory fair or gathering.

18. Local History Walks & App

Description: Create guided walking trails with stories, photos, and facts about Yarra Valley history, possibly through a mobile app.

Implementation: Work with historical societies and elders. Include stories from Indigenous and settler perspectives. QR codes at sites can link to audio stories or interviews.

19. Tiny Homes Community for Emergency Housing

Description: Start a project to build a small village of tiny homes as a temporary solution for locals facing housing insecurity.

Implementation: Partner with council, NGOs, or landowners. Use volunteer labor and donated materials. Residents could help build their own homes and transition into longer-term housing.

20. Sustainable Living Expo

Description: A one-day event showcasing eco-friendly products, workshops, and local initiatives (e.g. composting, solar, natural building).

Implementation: Involve local businesses, permaculture experts, and community groups. Offer short talks, demos, and free resources. Great for connecting like-minded folks.

21. Intergenerational Mentoring Program

Description: Match older residents with young people for mutual mentoring—life skills, tech help, gardening, etc.

Implementation: Run it through schools or community centers. Host a “meet your match” event. Include training to make the experience enriching for both age groups.

22. Creative Recovery Toolkit

Description: Develop a program of arts-based healing for communities recovering from fires, floods, or trauma.

Implementation: Hire local artists and therapists to run sessions—painting, drumming, storytelling. Offer a mix of group and individual opportunities. Could lead to a community exhibition or book.

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