Parkes Shire Council is proud to announce it has been awarded a NSW Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government to deliver the Gugaa: Connect the Dots Project - a bold and inclusive initiative designed to foster stronger, more resilient, and more cohesive communities across the Shire.
The grant of $59,596, which is part of a state-wide program aimed at preventing social division and hate-based incidents, will support Council's efforts to build connection and belonging within and between local communities.
Parkes Shire, home to over 14,000 residents, is a diverse and evolving community with a growing immigrant population and many transient workers in mining and transport. In the face of global tensions and rising divisive politics, the Gugaa: Connect the Dots Project offers a proactive and hopeful response.
Named after the Wiradjuri word for goanna - Gugaa, the overarching totem of the Wiradjuri Nation - the project will create permanent and mobile 'Red Dots' in public spaces across the Shire, incorporating the Owl totem in Peak Hill. These dots, marked with QR codes, will connect residents to resources, mentors, and community networks, offering a safe and welcoming space for anyone wondering "How do I connect? Where can I belong?"
The initiative also includes the launch of a "Living Library" program, where residents - both long-standing and newly arrived - can share their lived experiences as "books" to be "borrowed," helping to break down prejudice and build empathy.
Tracy Dawson, Project Manager at Parkes Shire Council, said the grant would be transformative for the community:
"This funding allows us to create real, lasting change. The Gugaa: Connect the Dots Project is about people. It's about helping new residents feel they belong, and giving our existing community the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together. We're building a stronger Parkes by embracing our differences and celebrating what unites us."
Through partnerships with Wiradjuri elders, local organisations, volunteers, and businesses, the project will fast-track integration and provide practical support in areas such as social connection and volunteering.
Parkes Shire Council invites all residents to participate in upcoming workshops and events as the Gugaa: Connect the Dots Project rolls out from early next year.
The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the NSW Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government.
Caption:
"Named after Gugaa – the Wiradjuri word for goanna – this project will place QR-coded 'Red Dots' in public spaces across the Shire to connect people to resources, mentors, and networks.
