Celebrating the launch of the Third Place community table at Black Spur Nursery Cafe in Healesville were (left to right) cafe proprietors Julie Rowe and Wayne Farrow, Evelyn MP Heather McTaggart and chair of the Third Place project, Gabriela Byrne.By Dion Teasdale
AN INITIATIVE aimed at strengthening community spirit and combating social isolation was launched in Healesville earlier this month.
Known as the Third Place project, the initiative aims to provide places for people to meet and share games, refreshment and conversation in a relaxed, safe environment.
In Healesville the project has involved the introduction of a “community table” at the Black Spur Nursery Cafe on Maroondah Highway.
The table has been reserved for community members seeking social interaction and an informal place for people to meet and discuss current issues.
Chair of the Third Place project, Gabriela Byrne, said the initiative was about offering recreational alternatives to gambling venues and addressing alienation in communities.
“The Third Place aims to bridge the gap between place and people and to rebuild and strengthen our community spirit,” she said.
“The idea is based on the concept that the first place is home, the second place is work, and that there are not enough third places for people to connect outside of these.”
Ms Byrne said the project appealed to businesses with a social consciousness to open their doors to the community and become a Third Place.
“There needs to be more places where people can connect and communicate and having a community table like the one at the Black Spur Nursery Cafe,” she said.
Black Spur Nursery Cafe proprietors Wayne Farrow and Julia Rowe said they were delighted to be part of the project, which has been instigated by Chrysalis Insight, a not-for-profit organisation.
“We would like people in our community to experience our cafe as a place that encourages social interaction, supports communication and is inclusive, tolerant and safe,” Ms Rowe said.
The community table at the Black Spur Nursery Cafe was officially launched on Friday, 18 November in front of a crowd of 30 supporters.
“Every month there will be forums, trivia nights and informal discussions arranged for community members from all walks of life to attend,” Ms Byrne said.
For more information about the Third Place project contact Gabriela Byrne on 0414 844 387.
