Pingelly & UWA to Partner

In 2009, a link was formed between the town of Pingelly and the University of Western Australia when UWA acquired the Ridgefield Future Farm. While the focus of the Future Farm is based on agricultural science, resource economics, engineering, ecology and architecture an interest beyond the farm gate has been generated at UWA 

Social Work students of UWA’s Master’s program undertook a study of the Pingelly community to gain an insight on community connectedness. Partnering with the Pingelly Community Resource Centre (CRC) Network, Pingelly Shire, Pingelly Aboriginal Progress Association and the UWA Future Farm, the students focused on four questions to help build an understanding of community interconnection and community spirit that are seen as integral pillars to the strength of a community.

On 19 May, the students presented their findings to the Pingelly community. The study revealed a genuine sense of care and respect amongst residents, a welcoming and all embracing community and an interconnection between the partner organisations that demonstrated community connectedness a real asset that actually enriches and sustains a community long into the future.

Ms Lee Steel, Manager Pingelly CRC, was excited to be part of this project and to work with UWA and said “This is a fantastic connection we have with UWA and for them to be part of our students’ education. It’s a two way street to an education, there is so much to be gained and learned from our rural communities and so much our communities can gain from our students”. 

A booklet “UWA Snapshot of a Connected Community” has been produced, providing an overview of the student’s findings.