Re-Igniting Communities in regional Victoria

6 August 2003

An extraordinary statewide arts program that explores local stories and issues through dance, song and theatre, has just been launched in north-west Victoria (Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Kerang and surrounding areas).

The program, Re-Igniting Community North West, was launched by Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Gavin Jennings, on Sunday, 27 July, 2003 at the Mildura Arts Centre.

Re-Igniting Community North West is coordinated by The Torch Project and supported by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. The program uses art and performance to explore social issues such as violence, youth poverty, Indigenous issues and reconciliation in regional communities to help develop stronger, more active communities.

It does this by travelling to regional Victoria and inviting local people - Indigenous, non-indigenous and people from other cultures - to explore issues confronting their community, in a series of workshops that culminate in theatre performances.

"There's been tremendous enthusiasm and energy," says Director, Stephen Payne.

"The idea behind Re-Igniting Community North West is to allow people to express, through the arts, issues that exist in communities but for many reasons aren't aired. Further, we encourage groups to continue doing something about these issues."

The Torch Project aims to empower communities to act on difficult issues that often end up in the 'too-hard basket' and establishes steering committees, links up local community groups and encourages other community development projects, to ensure these issues continue to be aired.

More than 3000 people across regional Victoria have so far participated in Re-Igniting Community. There have been 30 performances in 11 cities and towns, seen by more than 5000 people.

Re-Igniting Community North West is supported by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria. It is funded by VicHealth, Besen Family Foundation, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria and Arts Victoria.

Download the fact sheet as a PDF (109KB)

Read the media release