Community Wealth Building in South Australia

Written by: Meaghan Burkett

This article was originally posted in: https://www.ethicalfields.com/2023/05/26/community-wealth-building-in-south-australia/

Every locality across Australia can generate a strong, prosperous, equitable and resilient local economy that places the control and benefits of their local economy into the hands of local people. To realise this vision, Ethical Fields is undertaking the Community Wealth Building Australia Tour. We are visiting cities, towns and regions across Australia to raise awareness about the transformative potential of community wealth building and learn from local communities already on the journey.

During December – February 2023, we met with the wonderful folk of South Australia. Here are some of the highlights.

More than a Community Craft Shop

In many places across South Australia you will encounter a community craft shop. These shops will commonly stock hand-made and crafted items including quilts, cushions, bags, jewelry, soap, aprons, chopping boards, soft toys, art work, wooden toys and pot plants plus more! Two of my favourites were Karoonda Community Craft Shop and the Eyre Crafts Community Craft Shop.

Whilst they are undeniably quant and cute – they are so much more than this! They promote and support place and people, inclusiveness, democratic participation, local ownership, prosperity and reinvestment. They enable local people to activate their local economy through locally owned enterprises, local supply chains and spending, local assets, local workforces and financial flows. They are a model that should and could be scaled and replicated in local places everywhere.

Buy from the bush, innovation, girl power and hard work

Half way across Australia in a great town called Kimba I came across an inspiring community wealth building enterprise called Workshop 26. I loved learning about their story:

“Workshop26 is a melting pot of makers, micro-businesses, and all-round good people. A not-for-profit enterprise, Workshop26 aims to bring people together, and creates a market place and meeting place; a place for small businesses to grow, for people to learn, and for visitors to get a real taste of our wonderful little community. Workshop26 is the brain-child of five dynamic women; farmers, makers, business owners, and even a publican; a delicious blend of ideas, inspirations and styles. Times can be hard on rural main streets; this group of savvy women know that diversification and tapping into the?#buyfromthebush?movement is the key to keeping dollars local, businesses open and families in town. Cooked up around a kitchen table over a few bottles of champagne, Workshop26 represents innovation,?#girlpower?and a healthy dose of hard work.”