The Noosa Biosphere Social Sector Board, one of the six volunteer community boards within the Noosa Biosphere, has created an opportunity for people to openly express their views in a forum without judgement, structure or hierarchy.

One of the innovative ideas from indigenous board member Suzanne Thompson was the creation of a Yarning Circle, recently implemented at local community events such as the Cooran Markets and Noosa Biosphere Day.

“I suppose for me, Yarning Circles takes me back to being a young girl and remembering seeing my mother and father, aunties and uncles and lots of older people when they would sit around and organise something for the family or the community, and everyone would have a chance to speak.

“Not one person would lead the way, everyone would have an equal voice and would share ideas on celebrations in the community,” Suzanne recalls.

Suzanne has taken this concept forward into her consulting career with government when organising community gatherings for indigenous groups.

Suzanne believes that when groups gather for a ‘meeting’ or a ‘forum’, people often turning up with agendas and a feeling this is an opportunity to air grievances.

When people are invited for a ‘Yarn Up’ and or to share a meal, Suzanne feels people are more likely to come to the table with positive stories as well as their aspirations.

Alongside the Yarning Circle project at community events, the Social Board also created the ‘I wish’ project.

Community members were invited to record their wishes on a piece of paper, which were then pegged up around a marquee.

These ‘wishes’ were then recorded through photographs and kept for posterity.

The third community engagement project, researched by Henrietta Macalister from the Social Board, was the making of a labyrinth for people to enjoy at community events.

“A labyrinth is like a maze, although there is only one way in and out and for that reason it is a really good way to do what is called a walking meditation,” explains Henrietta.

“Meditation is often about emptying your mind but this is called a mindful meditation because you have to concentrate on which way you are walking so you don’t cross the lines.

“There is evidence to suggest that this is a relaxing and stress relieving exercise which improves your problem solving and creative ability.”

Painted on a 6m x 6m artist canvas, the labyrinth is transportable and weather permitting can accompany the Social Sector board whenever they join in community events.

After holding successful outings at various community events in 2010, the Social Sector board are planning to take these three projects back into the community in 2011 at the Booin Gari Festival, Floating Land, World Environment Day, Festival of Water and the Noosa Biosphere Day.

See you there!