Help Build a Safer, More Harmonious Melbourne Through Gatherings

What if Melbourne could become a city where we all feel we belong, are loved and supported, and know we can make a difference in another person’s life? What if that culture could grow through thousands of locally created gatherings without government or any organisation controlling what people create? New York’s distributed World Cup welcome and the low-barrier social activities hosted during Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign demonstrate something important. When ordinary people receive a clear invitation, simple resources and freedom to create experiences natural to them, participation can spread remarkably quickly. These initiatives served different purposes, but their gathering methods suggest a longer-term possibility for community flourishing. Land of Welcome is beginning at a human scale in Fitzroy, developing ways to strengthen belonging, love, support and contribution within relationships and communities already present in our lives. There is no fixed program to promote, and the people you involve are not recruitment targets. Applicants may become Land of Welcome members; their friends, families and communities are not expected to join. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The immediate purpose is to help people feel more vividly known, valued, loved, supported and able to contribute. Some relationships may deepen; others may already offer extraordinary closeness. Either way, simple questions and gatherings can honour what is present while helping something people love, do well or hope to create continue, deepen or grow. Land of Welcome uses relational, asset-based approaches. We recognise what people already possess and support them as contributors, offering light structures and questions without predetermining their priorities or solutions. WHAT YOU COULD DO Depending upon your interests and confidence, you might: • organise a relaxed gathering for friends or family; • invite people to sing together, enthusiastically and possibly out of tune; • help neighbours explore a street party; • discover what brings people joy or what they would love to contribute; • support a friend’s idea or learn from something they already do successfully; • test one of our resources and help improve it; or • develop another possibility inspired by the people involved. These actions can be small, inexpensive and enjoyable. You could organise something meaningful within your first month, begin alongside other members or contribute behind the scenes. The aim is to discover what excites and energises you, then contribute in a way that fits who you are. WHAT SUCCESS MEANS Success means people feel recognised, their contributions are honoured and something they value continues, deepens or grows; not that anyone joins Land of Welcome. Our resources explore belonging, joy, cultural conversations, mutual mentoring, shared leadership, recognition and helping ideas succeed. We share them gradually according to what excites each member. One question, conversation or gathering may be enough to begin. Try something, notice what happens, learn together and decide whether it is worth continuing. We call this Felt First Learning. THE FITZROY CONNECTION Land of Welcome has held monthly friendship picnics with culturally diverse mothers and children at Atherton Gardens since August 2016. New members may join, build relationships and, if they wish, share an activity or help another member’s idea succeed. Attendance is coordinated so mothers and children remain at the heart of these relaxed gatherings. WHERE COULD THIS LEAD? We can explore how locally created experiences might become part of something larger without losing their ease, joy or human connection. If early experiences prove valuable and partnerships develop, what we learn could, over five to ten years, contribute to a broader Melbourne flourishing model; perhaps brought to wider attention through an established major event. This is a long-term possibility, not a predetermined project. The work begins with people, relationships and possibilities already present. WHO MIGHT ENJOY THIS? You do not need to be highly outgoing, an experienced organiser or ready to lead immediately. Different personalities, abilities and confidence levels can contribute. Experienced applicants can also help shape the organisation. We begin with a personal conversation to explore whether the opportunity feels right for you. You do not need to know precisely what you want to do. Land of Welcome is a small, self-funded not-for-profit working towards a society where everyone feels they belong, are loved and supported, and can make a difference in another person’s life. If you would enjoy helping people flourish while building a generous, joyful and deeply human organisation, we would love to meet you.