Midsumma is over for another year and already community maestros are rubbing their collective heads together in an orgy of congratulations and. ‘Oh, where did we go wrong’, condolences. I take my pink bonnet off to the organisers and participants in the 1st Asia Pacific Out Games. Sports are really not my thing (surprise, surprise) so I can’t speak from first hand experience but by all accounts the whole affair went off swimmingly.

So much so that it seemed there was little community love left in the melting pot for other Midsumma registered events – namely Mass Debate (Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby), Luna Antics (Gay and Lesbian Switchboard), Masquarade Ball (The ALSO Foundation). All three were cancelled.

Theories bandied about have included excessive ticket prices, patron purchasing habits (why buy a ticket today when you can get one on the night) and that old stalwart, the ‘community’ care factor.
It’s this later explanation that I find most disturbing. If you can’t show a little community love during festival celebrations, when can you? Are we witnessing community fatigue on a grand scale. Perhaps the vast majority are tired of giving and crave a little return for their generosity. That very debate has been raging both inside and outside of JOY Melbourne for years. JOY has made an art of going to the community with cap in hand and alarm bells ringing. Dissenters argue with little to show for such fundraising campaigns. The appointment of new management seems to have brought about a cultural shift at the station with a move toward grass roots community activity.

The community care factor (or lack there of) is a worrying development in our scene. Case in point. At one event I witnessed an appalling lack of compassion for a disabled man in a crowded theatre. Daunted at the prospect of climbing the stairs this man, assisted by a walking stick wandered back and forth looking for a spare seat. The vast majority of the audience either looked on with disinterest or continued pre show chat with friends. The only people to come to the rescue were two middle-aged women in the second row. The community care factor of this Midsumma event? Very, very poor. I’ve seen more compassion in the MCG rat pack during the half time beer swill (don’t ask).
If this incident is indicative of community attitudes in the future, Goddess help us. Remember, we don’t have to like each other, or even get along to lend a helping hand.

But an equal portion of blame for lack of support at this years big-ticket Midsumma community events must rest with organisers. There are no pats on the back for failing to capture the imagination of your constituents and booking grand, oversized venues certainly does not guarantee a full house. Producing/managing large events takes a lot of skill and just a little luck. You would do well to analyse events of the Asia Pacific Out Games and the marketing strategy employed.   
Meanwhile, lets not give up on community and community building. Here are a few thoughts on the notion of ‘community’ – compliments of the City of Greater Geelong.

What is community?
A group of people with some common identity and connection which may be based on:
Geographic location: street, neighbourhood, town, state etc
Cultural identify ethnicity, race, age, belief system
Activity: workplace, hobbies, recreation. social group, service user, education, religion, politics etc
Special Interest: housing, gaming, gender, disability, sexuality and neighbourhood houses etc.

What is Community Development?
Bringing people together to contribute to and take part in their community. Community Development emphasises self and collective empowerment, mutual support, shared community pride and the development of neighbourhood capacities for problem solving. It unites the efforts of people to bring about change, develop projects and participate in local activities. This happens through the promotion of collective action to bring a community's preferences to the attention of political decision-makers and service providers.
 
A Strong Community …
A strong vibrant community is one that has and supports social networks, creates economic advantage, shares common values, allows for and encourages cultural and social expression, cares for its people and strives for personal, complimentary and civic participation.