Getting help with Tidy Towns

Although there is a very strong level of competition amongst communities entering Tidy Towns, there is also a strong sense of "mateship". The communities that do best in the competition are those that share their ideas and invite others to come to their communities. These communities know the benefits of gaining the experience of others in how to engage the community and work effectively.

There are other opportunities to share ideas. Regional awards ceremonies are coupled with bus tours of the host town. This gives an opportunity for everyone to get together to share lessons and experience from their towns and see how another community may have approached a similar challenge. Where distance prevents communities from visiting each other, an e-mail or phone network may help to share ideas.

Advice should also be sought from the regional offices of the Department of Environment and Conservation or the State office of Keep Australia Beautiful for technical expertise, contacts or as a sounding board for new project ideas. You might wish to ask for the contact details of a competing community near you or one of last year's regional or State winners. These communities are proud of their achievements and will probably be happy to share their knowledge and experience.

Department of Environment and Conservation Regional Coordinators