Wasleys shows community spirit

On October 18, the Wasleys Institute will be a hive of activity as the inaugural 'Showcasing Wasleys' event kicks off.

To be held from 3pm to 7pm, the initiative encourages local businesses and tradespeople to show off their wares and skills.

Wasleys Community Group secretary and operator of the town's post office Dawn Richter said the project was created to build community spirit and lift the local economy.

"We've had lots of new people move into town with the new building estate, and we have people come in all the time asking me if there's an electrician or a plumber or something around in the town," Dawn said.

"I thought we needed to organise some way of letting people in the community know about the skills that they have."

She said new residents often assumed they would need to head to a larger regional centre to find tradespeople, but this was not the case.

"If someone needs a plumber or an electrician, or they're looking to get something built, they'll go outside of Wasleys, not realising that we have those skills in our own town and in our own community.

"If we all work together and promote and support each other, then our local people will thrive and our community as a whole will thrive - that's the plan.

"People don't necessarily have to use the local people, but at least if they know they're out there, they can ring them and get a quote. If it works out, it's a win-win for everyone in the community."

The event has attracted a diverse range of exhibitors, with a landscaper, electrician, general handyman and the local deli joining people skilled at crafts and flower arranging. A business offering septic servicing has also signed up.

In addition to the 16 stallholders on-board, Dawn is hopeful that a plumber, paver, nail beautician and cake decorator will join the line-up.

"Hopefully it will have a two-fold effect where it doesn't just create a bit of business for people - hopefully other people in the community will come out and just mingle a bit as well," she said.

* Full report in Stock Journal, October 9, 2014 issue.