‘Each one, teach one’ at Memorial Hall
Published on 01 November 2024
On a Friday in September, the Event Organiser Symposium hosted at the Memorial Hall attracted 28 attendees representing most major and minor events in this region. In the room were people with specialist skills and experience in logistics, festival promotion, gig organisation, law and regulation pertaining to events, audio and lighting production, PR & advertising, grant writing and crisis management.
Our facilitators, Linda Tilman and Cathy Treasure from the Australian Centre for Regional Events did a great job in presenting pertinent information on all aspects of event management and organisational sustainability in ways that could be digested by everyone in the room, no matter their level of expertise.
Commenting on the calibre of workers in the room, Linda stated that the group discussion had been one of the most informed and productive she had ever experienced in a regional setting. That Bellingen Shire overachieves in the events space, comes as little surprise to those of us who operate in it, though it’s nice to be reminded of that by an outsider!
As a result of the gathering, a local events industry database was launched. In it, events professionals share details of resources and proficiencies they are willing to share with others. To gain access and add your information to the database, please email Memorial.Hall@bellingen.nsw.gov.au.
The Saturday and Sunday following the symposium focussed on providing free training for community members with an interest in learning about the venue’s new audio and lighting equipment. Funded by a Music Australia grant, it attracted 40 attendees each day. These sessions were greeted by a thirsty appetite for learning.
Ultimately, a collegial approach to continuing such learning materialised within the group. By the end of the weekend, attendees were requesting access to the venue during ‘dark’ hours so they could continue practising their new skills in small groups.
Beyond the skills enrichment itself, what emerges from group activities such as these, is a broadening of community connection with the Memorial Hall, an asset that, after all, only comes alive with community input. It’s gratifying to observe that the learning and knowledge sharing mantra ‘Each one, teach one’, is very much alive! To get involved in the Hall, either via our ‘Friends of…’ volunteer team, or to enquire about any aspect of Hall operations, please email Memorial.Hall@bellingen.nsw.gov.au.
