Michele Speck’s Story
Woodburn Community, NSW
Michele Speck returned to Evans Head in Sept 2022. Looking to take action and meet passionate and like minded peers, Michele attended OzGREEN’s Community Mentor training as part of the Resilient Communities Program. Here, she experienced OzGREEN’s award winning community engagement process and unlocked her passion for Youth Voice and Food Security. Michele has further expanded her skills and knowledge at six other OzGREEN events - four Resilient Communities Preparedness Days (which she also volunteered to promote and support on the day), the 2023 Thrive Festival, and an Online Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Course.
Michele has become a connector in her community. She joined Woodburn Hub, Wardell Core, Chamber of Commerce Woodburn, completed Grass Tree Fellowship with Conservation Volunteers Associate and has connected with many local organisations, community groups and local people.
“I am standing on a community garden space that came about because I went to a mentorship program with OzGREEN. That was about seven months agao and in this seven months, OzGREEN has stood with me. The best thing is they’ve given me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and create a space that is going to be really healing for the Woodburn community.
OzGreen has changed my life. To see how people can come together with different opinions and take action.
Thank you OzGreen - I just want to share them with the world because of what they do in the community. Bringing people together. Sustainability. River health. It is the most amazing organisation I have ever come across and I have lived 57 years on this Earth and travelled alot and never have I come across people like this.”
Michele is currently working on two projects to change the world.
Project One : Woodburn Community Garden
Michele has commenced work on a project to establish a community garden in Woodburn. She has engaged the local community, held two community meetings, activated 15 local residents to join the group, met with council to discuss and locate a site.
Council has allocated a 254m2 site next to the Boxing Hall and Post Office and Michele has secured funding via Cate McQuillen. She plans to create an incorporated community association to oversee management of the garden.
Project Two : Bulk Food Store in New Italy
Michele’s passion for food resilience combined with a lifelong dream of wanting to open her own shop, saw a new project bubble to the surface. Michele’s experience owning businesses and her new connections in her community, especially those at the Chamber of Commerce, helped pave the way for her a second new endeavor. Michele will open a bulk food store at New Italy in June 2023, bringing health and affordable food to the region.
