Living in Harmony Community Grants 1999

New South Wales

missJUDGE: A Community Youth Project 1999/2000

$42,000 Awarded

This project, now completed, aimed to:

recognise and identify local issues (of dis-harmony) and find locally relevant solutions by involving people working together for the common goal of promoting harmony
improve social harmony in Marrickville and set an example of how to live in harmony, particularly targeting youth, law enforcement agencies, school groups and elderly groups
promote the principles of tolerance, equality, fairness and friendship via the process and presentation of missJudge (later called I miss Marrickville)
broaden the young participants’ empowerment processes by increasing self knowledge and their knowledge on local issues, and providing a better grasp on self-resolution processes
promote and celebrate respect, goodwill and an understanding of each others’ values and differences

The project’s strategies included:

identifying local issues and develop relevant solutions by developing an advisory committee and through community consultations
seeking participants for the project through existing networks and through advertising
developing a framework of peer support structures
providing role play opportunities, diversional activities and conflict resolution skills via drama, music and writing workshops
producing a performance piece on relevant issues for local and regional showings
holding a community forum/debate to discuss the issues raised in the performance

The project:

developed in a way that gave Marrickville youth the opportunity to explore issues of conflict and disharmony within their own communities and the wider community in a safe environment
held exploratory consultations with a wide range of organisations including police, youth groups, youth interagency, schools, art agencies such as PACT, and SIDETRACK, elderly groups (who are wary of young people in public places) and diverse ethnic communities in the area
challenged myths and barriers by highlighting the positive aspects of the local area and the pride of the young people living in Marrickville, through a theatrical performance developed by the young people on the project
recruited participants via community radio, fliers and publications such as Radio Skid Row Info News and Pacific Islander Multicultural Youth day
employed arts workers to conduct script development workshops, encourage team building, produce play, run rehearsals

The project:

held 4 performances of the play, I miss Marrickville at the Sidetrack Community Theatre, Marrickville, on 23-25 November 2000 see www.ar.com.au/~iwcs for details
held post-performance discussions and evaluations with the participants
produced: