A creative idea from a dedicated member of our community has become a new HBNC initiative that’s quickly gaining momentum and bringing locals together.

When Homa Honarmand attended a community consultation day as part of HBNC’s strategic planning process for 2023-2026, she had a simple suggestion – to see HBNC and other community organisations out in the community more often.

Homa shared with HBNC CEO, Tanya Stevenson, that she felt many community members would benefit from information and advice being brought to their neighbourhoods in a fun and engaging way.

This idea grew into HBNC’s Meet The Neighbours community outreach events.

HBNC will be hosting neighbourhood park events across the region, bringing a trailer full of games and activities to a playground near you.

The events will be held in both well-known parks and those that are less used. They will be a chance for HBNC to connect with the community and showcase its services and resources.

HBNC CEO, Tanya Stevenson, said it was wonderful to see Homa’s idea blossom into something with so much potential for the community.

Homa Honarmand with Community Access Program team members, Narelle Duroux, David Sutherland and Anita Taylor - winners of this month's Giraffe Award for innovative ideas and continuous improvement.

“This is exactly what we want to see happen when we engage with the community and gather feedback. Every community idea has value, and I’m grateful to Homa for sharing her idea as it has grown into something truly valuable for our region,” Tanya said.

Tanya said the Meet The Neighbours events would inject much-needed positivity across the region.

“We want to create an environment of fun, laughter, and wholesome activities,” said Tanya Stevenson, CEO at HBNC.

“We want to let people on the Fraser Coast know that we are here for them.”

Homa’s contribution was honoured recently as she was included as one of the winners of the latest the Giraffe (for sticking neck out) Award for Continuous Improvement. Homa won the award alongside the Community Access Program (CAP) team, who run and host the Meet The Neighbours events with the new trailer full of outdoor games.

View the full schedule of Meet The Neighbours events here: https://www.hbnc.com.au/meet-the-neighbours-community-outreach-events

Got the next big idea for our community?

If you have an innovative idea for our community, why not join our next Pitch Night? You will have the opportunity to present your idea to a panel of judges, with up to $100,000 of funding available, thanks to major sponsor, Bendigo Bank.