(And I’m sure I’ve missed people out. If so I’m SO sorry – please message me so I can rectify it.)

We made the paper too.

Warwick Collective’s new cultural hub takes shape

Daily News

“FITZROY St has been a hive of activity over the past week, now the Warwick Collective has begun to renovate its new community space.

The micro community aims to use the new shop front (previously Oh So Natural) as a cultural hub for Warwick residents.

Collective president Elizabeth Ure said along with food, music and movie nights, fashion upcycling gatherings and repair cafes would be held on alternate weeks.

Currently the group is asking local artisans interested in selling their wares in the space to get in contact with the collective.

“We need artists and crafters with some connection to the local area to create this space we built on several community meetings,” Ms Ure said.

Ms Ure expected the shop front to be open early next month.

Since the group’s conception at the beginning of this year the collective membership has continued to grow daily.

“Everyone here has different interests but a common characteristic when it comes to sharing, being involved and volunteering,” vice-president Julia Keogh said.

Check them out on Facebook to find out more about the Collective’s new space, how to become a member or to sell stock.”

]]> http://warwickcollectiveinc.com.au/we-have-the-keys/feed/ 0 http://warwickcollectiveinc.com.au/community-shop-planning/ http://warwickcollectiveinc.com.au/community-shop-planning/#comments Fri, 16 May 2014 18:29:56 +0000 http://warwickcollectiveinc.com.au/?p=697

I was thinking we do a grand plan and work on it over a long period of time, bit by bit?

We could have an outdoor cafe and stage area. Fairy lights (of course). Some raised beds, pergola….

Thing is, Duane needs photos of what we like before he can start. So, can everyone please start posting photos so we can get started on the design stage soon? We don’t have our block yet, but it won’t be far off.

So, if your a gardener or not, how do you want to use the space? Kids play equipment? A little kids maze? Aquaponics? Let’s brainstorm a bit!

Some FB Ideas

Katharine Jones: A mud kitchen for the kids! Pics later when I can get on Pinterest

April Hubert Wright: aquaponics need someone there to check and feed fish twice a day so may not be the best, plus it’s quite expensive to put together. People can just come check out my system currently being installed.

April Hubert Wright: Would love a kiddie section – including a smelly (in a good way) plant section, sand / mud pit, a protected seedling area … will post some pictures too

Yvette Giannake: You might want to consider including a community wood-fired pizza/bread oven http://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/…/rive…/wood-fired-oven

Jo Cuskelly: That’s so fantastic what a good guy Duane is!!!! Def fairy lights

We’ve nearly finalised the proposal we’re planning to send out to artisans who might want to sell in the shop – including how the shop will be run, weekly fees (instead of commission), the selection criteria, commitment period etc.

Thing is, I’m already getting people emailing me and wanting to apply.

I think we’re going to have pretty tough competition for places, so if you’re interest, I’d recommend messaging me as soon as you can. We’ll only have one or two of each type of artisan in the shop, so register early to get the best chance of being accepted.

Food, upcycled, handmade, art, craft, books, sculptures, jewellery, alpaca wool, clothing – as long as it’s predominantly locally produced. Some places will also be available to artisans outside the area on a short term basis.

Can’t wait to hear from you all!

At the meeting on Wednesday night, we needed commitment from you guys to say, yes – I’ll work in the garden, yes – I’ll help choose a plot and yes – I’ll help cost what we need for our grant application.

And people did say YES! So this means, we can go ahead and lease our land and start this crazy adventure!

So, what are the land options you ask?

1. Guide Park – Wallace St, behind the Guide Hut next to the Condamine

2. Willi St – Next to the Warwick Artist Group and opposite Rainbow FM

3. Victoria Park – opposite the hospital (up in the corner of Locke & William Streets)

We have a comparison sheet, listing pros and cons of each site. Let me know if you want a copy. I’ll forward you the pdf.

A) SO we need a team to help select the plot which included talking to businesses and people near each park to inform them of our plans, ask how we can work in with them and to request letters of support. We have to submit a proposal to SDRC demonstrating that we have community support for us leasing the particular park, so letters of support and proof of community consultation will be critical. As will proving that we won’t let it go all feral – for this we need a list of potential volunteers.

B) Hence, we need a list of people who will be willing to help with the garden. Maybe with the design, building of structures, donating money or tools, planting, watering, putting on workshops, attending workshops, selling worm farms etc. If you want to get involved, message me!

C) Lastly, we need a list of tools and other things we’ll need to get the garden off the ground. Jackie Robertson has offered to write up a grant application for the Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund, but she needs a costed list.

The good news is that quite a number of people but their names down for all of these, but we really need more. More young people who are interested in learning, more retirees who have years of experience, more families who want to help create a beautiful, family friendly environment, more of everybody!!!

We also had The Enchanted Garden offer to donate some plants, which is fantabulous! Maybe some people can buy some heritage seeds from at our next meeting and donate them too?

* If you want to put your name down for anything to do with the garden, just message me or come to our catch up meeting at 2pm on Tuesday at The Cherry Tree. 

PS Photo is of the Northey Street Cafe. Wouldn’t that be so cool!?!?!

Our shop and community space will be buzzing on the weekends with demonstrations, workshops, live music or DJ’s, fresh produce, and food!

But also once a month (Friday nights when it’s warm, Sunday when it’s cooler) we’ll have our street parties/mini-festivals with markets, buskers, even more food, and whatever anyone else wants to do! It’s all up to us.

Get involved by messaging me or coming to our next catch up next Tuesday at The Cherry Tree – 2pm-3pm!

We announced very exciting news at the meeting about our ugly produce brand “The Ugly Cucumber”. Not only will the shop be selling ugly fruit and vegetables, but we’ll be starting our own line of jams, chutneys, fermented foods, sauces etc, all made from local ugly produce!

Jackie Robertson from Frog & Swallow Gourmet Preserves and Ricky & April from Fermaculture Fermented Food have all incredibly kindly offered to make these for us in their commercial kitchens.

The produce will be purchased from local farmers, buying the produce that is usually thrown away which is good for farmers and good for everyone!

The rest of us can help by collecting jars with 63mm openings (re-using, yay!) and with the labels soaked off. We also need a list of names of people who can be contacted who might be able to help out with preparing the produce (cutting, washing) etc like little working bees, so if you can spare an hour here or there, please message me.

If you can help in any other way or if you’re an interested farmer, please message me or come to the catch up meeting next Tuesday at 2pm at The Cherry Tree.

Talk about a crazy popular idea!!!

Nearly everyone wants to be a part of the Community Space & Shop project, which is brilliant!!

1 – Local Artisans – Just in case you missed it, we are wanting to lease the old Oh So Natural shop and make it our community-run shop and space. The shop will showcase local art, craft, food and ugly produce, with artisans paying a weekly flat rate. This way, we know we can cover the rent. Artisans can display their own goods and are welcome to volunteer in the shop to reduce their fee.

So, we need artisans who want to be in shop. We already have some applications, but if you want to be a part of it, message me asap because we don’t want too many double ups. There is a selection process, but don’t miss out. Once we have enough artisans on board, we’ll rent the building!

2 – Shop Assistants – we need people who will volunteer to work in the shop. Under 16’s welcome, they’ll just need an adult with them. When you volunteer your time, you’ll receive discounts on workshops. Ah, which leads to the question, who wants to put on a workshop, or who wants to learn a particular skills? Message me your ideas. We already have a long list of wants and offers for this, but we need a space. In fact, the Community Space will be supported by the Community Shop so we can host these workshops. Some groups also want to use the space on a regular basis. Again, groups can pay or volunteer their time to look after the shop.

3 – Renovations – we need people to volunteer to renovate the shop. Experience, or no experience, we need everyone’s help! Plus, any donations of furniture will be very, very welcome! Don’t forget the little outdoor area too. A kitchen garden?

4 – Food – we’ll be selling drinks (organic tea and coffee??) and healthy snacks. More fundraising to support expenses like electricity and wi-fi. Can you help?

We want the shop to be always changing, and for us to always be trying new ideas. Canvas & Canape nights, artists in residence, lots of music! – whatever you want to do, we’ll try it!!

Message me to go on the list. We need commitment so we can lease the building.

Please also come to our catch up meeting at 2pm on Tuesday at The Cherry Tree. Quite a few people couldn’t come last Wednesday night when we discussed all this, so come along to talk about your ideas and how you want to fit in.

An enormous thank you to NK Electrical for donating the incorporation fee! You guys are awesome!

Next hurdle, insurance!

We need your input! Join us on Wednesday 26th March at The Cherry Tree at 6pm-7:30pm for food + brainstorming!!

With the Warwick Collective days away from being officially incorporated, it’s time for some fun stuff to start happening!

What will our first venture be? Perhaps a combined community space and homemade/ugly fruit shop? Or maybe we focus on some member-run workshops? Or maybe you have an idea for Warwick Collective’s first big project? (The Community Garden, which is hugely popular, is in the works already with a plot search underway!)

Fundraising ideas? We need to raise money for insurance (around $2000/yr) which will be used for the garden, community space & shop as well as seed money for our first project. Maybe we could all contribute to a cookbook? Or put on an event of some kind? We need an idea and a group to manage it.

The get together! Due to popular demand, this get together will have food! So it’s $10 entry per adult and includes finger food such as antipasto and tempura vegetables. Kids are encouraged to participate in the meeting but because they can be little birds when it comes to dinner just pay what you think they will eat! (Drinks are extra, or water for free of course!)

Important Details. So the get together is at The Cherry Tree again on Wednesday 26th March, from 6pm with the meeting starting at 6:30pm. Everyone is invited however in future it will be members only. But don’t worry, you can sign up and pay on the night to become a member! Adults are $25/yr with kids able to participate as non-members. Read about becoming a member of Warwick Collective.

Please RSVP by Monday 24th March by replying to this email or emailing events@warwickcollectiveinc.com.au.

Kind regards,
Leah, Jackie, Julia and Elizabeth.