“I think that was the big starter wasn’t it, as to why we would do it for free, wasn’t it? Just to give a day without money worries, and we have lunch, and free ice cream, and a raffle with amazing prices, face painting, and a petting zoo”.
Nurturing a new community idea to life can feel like stepping into the unknown – exciting and a little intimidating!
You might find yourself saying things like:
- Where do I even begin?
- I really don’t want to do it by myself, it’s too much!
- What if something goes wrong?
- How can I get people to help me?
- What if it flops and no one turns up?
These are all totally normal thoughts to have, trust us. In fact, these thoughts are often subtle reminders for us that we care and that we might need to lean into connection and collaboration. They remind us that community ideas are meant to be shared – not just as a finished product, but throughout the journey of bringing them to life! These little doubts nudge us to seek out friends, neighbors, and even new acquaintances who might bring their own gifts and ideas to the table. They’re a cue to open up, ask for help, and trust that others want to be part of something meaningful too.
We’d love to introduce you to Penny and Lindsay, two passionate community members and close friends living in Allara in the Far Northern Suburbs of Perth. Having met through a shared interest in community life, they began to dream of organising a big Christmas Party on the green for local families – something joyful, festive, accessible and importantly, free. Here’s a look at their journey to hosting an event for 500+ locals.
Drawing upon the many insights from their story, we’ve put together some community-building tips that might get you thinking about what’s possible for your own community project!
What does your community need?
One of the most powerful parts of Penny and Lindsay’s journey was their attention to what mattered in people’s lives. Through being closely connected with local families through food distribution, various social gatherings, and through their own experiences of the rising cost of living, they could see a unique need for free local experiences for the whole family, with as few barriers to inclusion as possible.
“I think what [also] made us want to do this and make it a free event was the fact that with the food distribution that I run, I’ve seen an increase in families that need a bit of extra help…”
“…Just to give a day without money worries”
Their idea aligned with the real needs of the people around them, and their invitation was both uplifting and relevant.
How can you dream big but stay flexible?
When Penny and Lindsay envisioned the Christmas party, they didn’t necessarily have all the answers mapped out. They dreamed big, imagining a celebration that would make everyone in the neighborhood feel welcomed, but had to stay open to possibilities and figure things out as they went. As unexpected needs or ideas came up, they adapted their approach, shaping the event in real-time to reflect the community’s interests and energy.
“We knew it had to be free so we had to find money, applying for grants – Lee, amazing [Befriend’s Community Builder], Lee, helped us with that”.
“We knew okay, this is going to be heaps fun but without more helping hands on the day, setting everything up and, you know, cooking the barbecues, we still can’t make it happen because there are only two of us! It took a few Facebook posts, and in the end a couple of weeks before Christmas, we finally got what we thought was enough people for the day.”
What are your strengths and what do you need support in?
One of the practical steps in any community project is allocating tasks, defining roles and focusing on what you’re naturally skilled or experienced in. Penny and Lindsay recognised each other’s strengths and divided responsibilities in a way that allowed each of them to shine.
This clarity made planning smoother, reduced overwhelm and helped avoid burnout. Roles don’t need to be rigid, but having a sense of “who can do what” creates a flow, allowing each person to focus on tasks that feel natural and manageable.
Who might be in your network of support?
Rarely in life can we achieve great things in isolation. It takes a village. Penny and Lindsay needed help with grants, support from local business, volunteers to run the BBQ, donations from the community and so much more. Feel confident that if you care about something in your community, chances are, others will care about it too and are often more than happy and willing to contribute.
“We were bringing in husbands, friends, neighbors… my sister-in-law came from Cannington and she was the elf! You draw [help] from where you can”.
And asking for help isn’t just practical; it builds connections and invites others to become part of something meaningful. When people feel involved, they’re more invested in the project’s success – and in Penny and Lindsay’s case, this collective teamwork strengthened the whole neighbourhood’s spirit of unity.
“[Lindsay] got $500 worth of gifts donated [from local businesses], so that then we could give those gifts back to the community. And then the community would want to gift back so we had a Christmas Hamper and everyone bought something to put in that hamper, which we then took to women’s refuge and donated. So it was like that Circle of Life where we gave, they gave, we gave and then back to people who needed it.”
How can you embrace all the “what ifs”?
Even with all their planning, successes and excitement, Penny and Lindsay still faced some very relatable, universal worries – what if it flops? What if no one comes? These concerns are natural when you’re trying something new and meaningful.
To manage this, they focused on the process and their purpose, rather than the outcome.
Approaching your project with a lighthearted attitude can make it less about perfection and more about connection. When we soften our expectations, it’s easier to focus on the joy of creating something new rather than getting bogged down by the “what ifs.”
“We thought if we have 150, 200 people we’ll be happy with that. 300… amazing! In the end 536 sausages went out and how many free ice creams for kids? 420… well, there you go! Lots of happy kids. It’s really hard to know if it’s a first event what it’s going to do, it could be a flop.”
What’s your purpose and how can you keep it front and centre?
Lastly, Penny and Lindsay’s story reminds us of the importance of having a clear sense of purpose and values. When challenges came up, their purpose guided them forward. They weren’t just organising a party – they were bringing neighbors together in a way that aligned with their values of inclusivity, joy, accessibility and belonging.
Keeping your values front and center may give your work a deeper meaning and helped you see the bigger picture, even on the most hectic days.
“When I was little… the Navy used to put on a Christmas party every year and in those days… it was more about spending time with whomever your family was at that time. We got dressed up, and we got things like fairy floss, an orange, a Ferris wheel, we’re in the helicopter, we went out on the [Navy] ship… it was just an amazing full-on day. Mum always told me we could afford to go because it cost nothing… so I suppose I’ve carried that memory of Christmas or Community with me.”
Bringing Your Own Community Idea to Life
Penny and Lindsay’s story shows that creating something meaningful in your community is an adventure in connection, courage, and creativity. By focusing on your passions, embracing teamwork and friendship, asking for help wherever you can, listening deeply to what your community needs, and being open to where it takes you, you, too, can bring your vision to life! You might be surprised by the impact you can have.
This is our ‘bread and butter’, as they say, so if you have an idea to make a difference in your community, then reach out to our Community Building Team for a chat! We have 14 years of experience bringing people together for all kinds of experiences, and we would be delighted to support you in making that community contribution. We believe in you (and so do Penny and Lindsay!)