Community Power in Action
We brought the theme “Regenerosity” to life as we came together to imagine what’s next for Flinders and the Furneaux Group of Islands. Over three inspiring days filled with conversation, collaboration and creativity, the forum celebrated the strength of community and the possibilities we can unlock when we work together.
Wednesday at the Flinders Arts & Entertainment Centre began with a moving Welcome to Country from Jade Boyes, connecting us to the island’s history and spirit. Mayor Rachel Summers followed with an engaging Council Mythbusting 101, clearing the air on common misconceptions and giving us a candid insight into local government. The Furneaux Collective then stepped forward to share their vision and purpose, setting the tone for a future shaped by connection and care.
The day’s first Island Vision sessions showcased the talent and diversity within our community. Jane Hutchinson (Tasmania Parks & Wildlife), Jo Youl (On Island Time), Cass Pullin (Furneaux Distillery), Magdalena Steffens (FIBI), Libby McMahon(Flinders Island Food Network) and Carol Cox (My Island Journey) offered ideas and stories that sparked both curiosity and optimism. Between sessions, people took time to connect, reflect and share their own insights. In the afternoon, Brand Tasmaniadelivered a lively workshop on the power of place-based storytelling, showing how our unique island identity can strengthen what we do. We finished the day in the Rose Garden Room with the GinWag Gathering, sharing Cate Cooks Pizza, Furneaux Distillery Gin and plenty of laughter.
Thursday brought another round of inspiring Island Vision talks from Bron Stubbs and Ann Rae (WRAPS), Tom Walker (Sticking with Wool), Jane Giblin (Two Corners Studios / Norn), Holly Barnewall (Flinders Island District High School), Jacqui Cooper and Jamie West (2 Thumbs Up) and Teri Young (Flinders Island Dairy). Mick Attard from the City of Launceston shared practical lessons and inspiration from successful community recycling programs, proving the impact of collaboration between councils and communities.
Dianne Dredge invited participants into Conversations That Matter, exploring Flinders Island's future through collaborative scenario building. This flowed into our Join the Dots panel, where voices “from away” and our Mayor Rachel came together to connect the themes and ideas raised across the two days. After some thoughtful closing reflections, we headed to the Sports and RSL Club for a warm and welcoming community dinner that kept the conversations going late into the night.
Friday gave participants the freedom to choose between two hands-on workshops. One group joined Dianne Dredge for an Introduction to the Regenerative Business Development Program, designed specifically for the Furneaux Islands and focused on helping enterprises grow in ways that strengthen community and environment as well as the bottom line. The other group joined Dr Magdalena Steffens for Protecting the Future of Our Water Supply, a field-based workshop at Henderson Dam that combined on-the-ground observation with practical conversations about sustainability and long-term security.
By the time the forum wrapped, it was clear that Regenerosity had done its work, bringing people together, sparking fresh ideas and reminding us of the creativity, heart and resilience that make this island special.
Thank you to every speaker, volunteer and participant for your energy, ideas and generosity of spirit. With this shared momentum, we are building a future that is vibrant, connected and proudly Flinders Island.
