Community Mapping templates
The following diagram shows the eight different, but interlinked components of a community explored during the community mapping process.
Questions to guide discussion around the eight components of a local community (a downloadable template integating the following questions is included below. Go to Community Information template.)
1. People
• Which word best describes the population: Mainly people of retirement age? Mainly young parents? Mainly middle aged? A large number of young people?
• Are there groups of residents who have lived in the region for less than six months?
• Is your impression that there are a lot of people who have lived in the area for more than 30 years?
• Is there any basis for describing your community as 'multicultural'?
2. Opportunities
• Where would you go to find leaders in the community?
• What strategies do you use to attract volunteer support for events?
• Are there groups in the community you could invite you could invite to talk about events and what they might like for Australia Day? How would you find this information?
3. Spaces and locations
• What geographic resources are special or unique to your community?
• Where do community groups meet for social interaction, picnics etc.?
• What spaces are popular with communities/community groups?
• What features other than shopping provisions or accommodation are attractions of your community?
4. Groups
• What are the main sporting and recreation groups in the community?
• What un-official social groups exist?
• Is there a 'green'/environment/sustainability group?
• What are the main arts-related groups in the community?
• What are the self-identified groups (e.g. gay and lesbian, established families here over generations, alternative life style groups)?
• Have new groups developed in the community as a result of government initiatives or humanitarian initiatives?
5. Cultural identity
• Are communities within your local government area known for something unique or characteristic of the area?
• Does the community have sense of unity? What is this based on (e.g. best vanilla slices in region, high proportion of successful sports people, soldier settlement area, historic settlement, architectural richness, low cost housing, and attraction to retirees)?
• How do you 'sell' your community to others?
6. Community services
• Where would you go to find or contact community-based services provided through local government?
• Are there ways that community members get help and support other than through local, sate or federal government processes?
• Do you have a community centre? What are its main uses?
• How long since you contacted an Australia Day Organiser to come to a committee meeting or to provide you with suggestions or information?
7. Sources of information for Australia Day organisers
• What is the main source of information and ideas for Australia Day celebrations?
• What have you tried in the last few years to enrich Australia Day celebrations?
• What research has the local council completed in the recent past that could be helpful?
• Do you know names and contact details of events specialists in your local council?
8. Employment and industry
• What industries are the biggest employers (e.g. manufacturing, shops and retail, tourism and hospitality, education, mining, farming)?
It is vital that you record the patterns and information you have collected. Community Mapping is a means of improvement, rather than an end in itself.
The following template contains the same community components and questions as above, however, it also has an additional column on the right for noting patterns and issues or problems. This information would form the basis for event planning.
It's a good idea to use Evaluation and reporting tool for ideas, suggestions and guidelines that will help with this part of the Community Mapping process.
Related tools
Evaluation and reporting
Attracting and engaging young people
Inclusive events
URLs
Australian Bureau of Statistics
http://www.abs.gov.au
