LOCAL community groups gained a better grip on skilled marketing and communications in the current world at the inaugural Australian Gift of Communication on Friday, October 11.

Eight community groups across the region attended the event in Wodonga where they workshopped their communications needs with a local communications professional.

Among the groups were Yackandandah Community Association and Beechworth Biennale.

YCA member Helen McGowan said with the help of their skilled professional Kellie Davies, the group were able to develop specific messaging and processes to promote their work they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do.

“Kellie was a respectful colleague helping us to transition through our messy aspirations which had impeded us,” she said.

“The workshop was a fresh, informal and yet highly productive way to learn.

“Our skilled communications professional led us gently through an interrogation of our aims and aspirations, whilst affirming and encouraging us.”

Beechworth Biennale creative director Nina Machielse Hunt said the workshop helped the organisation develop a general user- friendly marketing plan against the calendar more than a year out from their marquee event in 2025.

“Working with a purpose was fantastic and really allowed the specific focus on the area of communications we needed greater confidence and more support with,” she said.

Other community groups represented at the workshop included Albury Wodonga U3A, NESAY, Lions Club of Wodonga, Wangaratta Artists Society, the Alexandra Community Hub and Alpine Valleys Community Leadership.

The workshop was a support initiative of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Asia Pacific and the Border North East Communicators Network.