Project overview
The Geoffrey Gardiner Foundation initiated a community development program, which is being piloted in South Gippsland during 2011–2013. This project will evaluate the impact of the pilot project on rural community capacity building and identify the key attributes of success to inform the development and implementation process in further small dairy communities.
The objectives of this project are:
- Clearly define the outcomes sought by the Gardiner Foundation from the South Gippsland pilot project.
- Evaluate the impact of the pilot project against these outcomes.
- Identify the key lessons for further development and delivery of the Strengthening Small Dairy Communities initiative.
- Assess the effectiveness of the capacity building approach for several case study communities within the Lower Tarwin Valley.
- Document the impact on the local dairy industry.
This project will provide:
- Clear recommendations for replication of community strengthening projects.
- Identification of required conditions for further investment for the Gardiner Foundation.
Progress to date
The Strengthening Small Dairy Communities pilot project has been underway in the Lower Tarwin Valley since January 2011, with activity ramping up from July 2011. Stage 1 of the evaluation documented the evaluation of the establishment of this pilot project, and Stage 2 reviewed the implementation phase. Both project stakeholders and community members were interviewed during February-March 2013, with a 17 interviews completed. Interview transcripts were analysed to determine how the project was understood, engagement with the dairy industry, and strengths/ weaknesses to date, amongst other things.
Results show that it is well supported by the South Gippsland Shire Council and the grant process has been effective, with a number of community priorities identified and funded. Some areas for improvement were also acknowledged, and the ‘real-time’ evaluation of the pilot project has allowed the project team to respond by adapting project design and delivery.
A synthesis workshop with stakeholders and investors identified the key achievements, challenges and critical success factors from the project overall and these are being developed into resources, tools and engagement events for other regions and communities in August-September, 2014. A final report, journal paper and conference poster are planned for October.
Project Duration
To be completed October 2014
Research Group Leader/Key contact
A/Prof. Ruth Nettle (previous researcher: Anne Crawford); Jeanette White
Contact details
A/Prof. Ruth Nettle
T: 03 8344 4581
E: ranettle@unimelb.edu.au
Partnership details
The Geoffrey Gardiner Foundation