#AtoZChallenge C for Community

The Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is an annual challenge put out to bloggers to publish a post from A-Z every day in April, except for Sundays. April 1 is A, and so on throughout the month. The theme I have chosen for 2018 is The Story Of Me

I grew up in Shepparton, a large rural city, in North Central Victoria, Australia.  Always, I longed to feel part of the community there, but never did have that sense of community in Shepparton. I’m not sure why exactly. Perhaps it was because I married young, and was quickly caught up with raising children and running a busy successful business.

When I moved to Bendigo, I was immediately embraced by the cycling community. This involvement continued for about seven years, until I moved to Axedale, just 20k from Bendigo. Axedale is a small community with a big heart. I was immediately welcomed, and at last found myself feeling an inclusive part of this community.

Each month I attended the meeting of the local community group – Axedale Our Town Our Future. I really didn’t contribute that much, as mistakenly, I felt that being a newbie to the area, I should just sit quietly and observe. Once again, I was loving the community feeling, and the opportunity to become involved. I was also slowly getting to know the locals.

All this quiet observing, with very little input or involvement came abruptly to an end, when in September 2017, I was elected to the position of President of Axedale Our Town Our Future.

Since then, I’ve been on a huge learning curve. I had never been on a committee or even attended a community meeting, until moving to Axedale. Slowly, I am learning what it is to be an effective community leader and trying my best to head the organisation in the best way possible. And life has become very busy.

So far, I have loved my time as President, and have really enjoyed meeting so many locals, who I would never otherwise have met. I never in my wildest dreams would have dreamed of taking on a position like this. I was always the shy one who didn’t say boo to anyone. I still struggle with any public speaking that I need to do, and avoid it when I can.

But I’m looking at this as an opportunity for self improvement and contribution. It’s never too late to start. I’m the proof.

Please visit again to see my story unfold. 

                 Jennifer