Grand designs, grim reality : political representation, competition and equity in regional Victoria
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This work brings new understanding to the subtle ways in which the ability of one rural community to change is curtailed by self-reinforcement of an ideology not entirely of their own making. In a political environment where economic returns and population growth appear to be the true indicators of value and success, the struggle of some rural communities to change a long term and seemingly intractable trajectory of decline is well documented. The historical importance of rural communities as a place where food and fibre are grown has been challenged by market forces, climatic conditions and the relative growth of cities and service-based industries over the last three decades. To people in rural areas experiencing population stasis or decline, the situation appears to be a competition that is not being won at a local level. This thesis employs critical ethnography to understand a layered investigation of the ideological paradigms internalised by leaders in this community in a place-based setting to explore how this influences political advocacy and action. The work focusses on the Wimmera Southern Mallee region in Victoria, Australia with a particular emphasis on the city of Horsham as the major regional centre. The purpose of this work is to understand how ideology and behaviours are used to reinforce a system of power that is dominated by prestige leadership. The work also considers how external political and ideological influences may further reinforce on to leaders in the region a set of values and expectations which negatively impact on action and outcomes. The findings of this work have implications for rural community engagement, regional development, place-based initiatives and regional advocacy.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This work brings new understanding to the subtle ways in which the ability of one rural community to change is curtailed by self-reinforcement of an ideology not entirely of their own making. In a political environment where economic returns and population growth appear to be the true indicators of value and success, the struggle of some rural communities to change a long term and seemingly intractable trajectory of decline is well documented. The historical importance of rural communities as a place where food and fibre are grown has been challenged by market forces, climatic conditions and the relative growth of cities and service-based industries over the last three decades. To people in rural areas experiencing population stasis or decline, the situation appears to be a competition that is not being won at a local level. This thesis employs critical ethnography to understand a layered investigation of the ideological paradigms internalised by leaders in this community in a place-based setting to explore how this influences political advocacy and action. The work focusses on the Wimmera Southern Mallee region in Victoria, Australia with a particular emphasis on the city of Horsham as the major regional centre. The purpose of this work is to understand how ideology and behaviours are used to reinforce a system of power that is dominated by prestige leadership. The work also considers how external political and ideological influences may further reinforce on to leaders in the region a set of values and expectations which negatively impact on action and outcomes. The findings of this work have implications for rural community engagement, regional development, place-based initiatives and regional advocacy.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Understanding and addressing digital disadvantage in Wimmera Southern Mallee :Research report
- Tischler, Catherine, McDonald, Kelsey, Reeves, Keir
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine , McDonald, Kelsey , Reeves, Keir
- Date: 2022
- Type: Report , Technical report
- Full Text:
- Description: The Understanding and addressing digital disadvantage in Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored the challenges Wimmera Southern Mallee residents, focusing on low-income individuals and families, small/micro businesses and migrant groups have in accessing and effectively engaging with digital technology to help guide future regional actions. The project team interviewed 31 people from across five Local Government areas in the Wimmera Southern Mallee (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Northern Grampians, Horsham Rural City and Yarriambiack) who have low engagement with digital technology and/or limited internet access, as well as a representative sample of those who work to support those with low digital literacy. Ethnographic research was undertaken to understand the factors that impact on digital engagement and accessibility across the three key demographic groups in the study area. The research investigated people’s access to hardware (e.g. computers, phones and tablets) as well as networks (internet plans and connections – broadband, satellite, mobile etc.). Understanding the challenges in engaging with and interpreting digital technology will help inform future advocacy and policy responses for this region. The research will also facilitate better targeting of information and support to Wimmera Mallee residents to actively improve uptake, access, and engagement. This is important, as the region has been identified as having the lowest digital literacy of any area in Victoria (Australian Digital Inclusion Index 2020).
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine , McDonald, Kelsey , Reeves, Keir
- Date: 2022
- Type: Report , Technical report
- Full Text:
- Description: The Understanding and addressing digital disadvantage in Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored the challenges Wimmera Southern Mallee residents, focusing on low-income individuals and families, small/micro businesses and migrant groups have in accessing and effectively engaging with digital technology to help guide future regional actions. The project team interviewed 31 people from across five Local Government areas in the Wimmera Southern Mallee (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Northern Grampians, Horsham Rural City and Yarriambiack) who have low engagement with digital technology and/or limited internet access, as well as a representative sample of those who work to support those with low digital literacy. Ethnographic research was undertaken to understand the factors that impact on digital engagement and accessibility across the three key demographic groups in the study area. The research investigated people’s access to hardware (e.g. computers, phones and tablets) as well as networks (internet plans and connections – broadband, satellite, mobile etc.). Understanding the challenges in engaging with and interpreting digital technology will help inform future advocacy and policy responses for this region. The research will also facilitate better targeting of information and support to Wimmera Mallee residents to actively improve uptake, access, and engagement. This is important, as the region has been identified as having the lowest digital literacy of any area in Victoria (Australian Digital Inclusion Index 2020).
Unlocking aspiration, outcomes and equity by unpacking childcare issues in the Wimmera Southern Mallee
- Tischler, Catherine, McDonald, Kelsey, Reeves, Keir
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine , McDonald, Kelsey , Reeves, Keir
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Technical report , Research report
- Full Text:
- Description: The Unlocking Aspiration, Outcomes and Equity by unpacking childcare issues in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored issues in childcare provision and access across four rural local government areas (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Northern Grampians) within the Wimmera Southern Mallee. The intent of this work was to inform the ByFive Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) Early Years initiative (ByFive), a place-based community collaboration. ByFive was initiated by the WSM regional partnership in 2018, after the community nominated early childhood as their highest priority. The Victorian Government provides funding to ByFive to work together to redesign and improve early years’ service delivery within the WSM. Through this work the ByFive collaboration seeks to overcome disadvantage and inform whole of government system change to address a range of issues impacting the social, health and developmental outcomes of children by the age of five in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region.
- Authors: Tischler, Catherine , McDonald, Kelsey , Reeves, Keir
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Technical report , Research report
- Full Text:
- Description: The Unlocking Aspiration, Outcomes and Equity by unpacking childcare issues in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored issues in childcare provision and access across four rural local government areas (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Northern Grampians) within the Wimmera Southern Mallee. The intent of this work was to inform the ByFive Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) Early Years initiative (ByFive), a place-based community collaboration. ByFive was initiated by the WSM regional partnership in 2018, after the community nominated early childhood as their highest priority. The Victorian Government provides funding to ByFive to work together to redesign and improve early years’ service delivery within the WSM. Through this work the ByFive collaboration seeks to overcome disadvantage and inform whole of government system change to address a range of issues impacting the social, health and developmental outcomes of children by the age of five in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region.
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