Celebrating local people creating positive change

Residents helping strengthen Launceston's Northern Suburbs were recently recognised at the Community Champions Annual Celebration, celebrating local leadership, community pride and resident-led action across Rocherlea, Mayfield, Newnham, Mowbray, Invermay, Ravenswood and Waverley.

Community Champions is a place-based, community-led network delivered by local residents and community services organisations.

Supported by the Tasmanian Community Fund, the initiative helps residents build skills, form partnerships and turn local ideas into real action in the communities they call home.

City Mission Operations Manager Community Development Ray Green said the celebration recognised the people who often work quietly and consistently to make their neighbourhoods stronger.

"Community Champions is built on a simple but powerful idea: local people know their communities best," he said.

"This celebration is about recognising the residents, groups and organisations who step forward, bring people together and help make good things happen across the Northern Suburbs."

Tasmanian Community Fund Chairperson Kym Goodes said the project was a great example of a community-led initiative that recognised those responding directly to what was needed in their community.

"The Community Champions program recognises Northern Suburbs people who are taking action and building pride in what is a fantastic and connected community," she said.

"We want to recognise that, along with the Community Champions receiving awards, there are many people across the Northern Suburbs giving their time and energy to so many important projects, groups and organisations that are making a difference at a very local level.

"This is the kind of program that helps us support connected, resilient and thriving Tasmanian communities."

The celebration featured community stories, recognition awards, music, connection and a shared lunch, shining a spotlight on the strength, pride and leadership already present across the Northern Suburbs.

At the heart of Community Champions is the Community Action Network, a growing group of residents, neighbourhood houses, schools, service providers and local businesses working together to identify community priorities, support local initiatives and celebrate the achievements of their communities.