I was asked recently to speak at an event on the importance, or perhaps more accurately, the power of community.

And the more I reflected on what I wanted to say, the more I realised just how crucial community is in the radically shifting times we are living through.

The world is changing fast.

Technology is evolving at breakneck speed, the way we work and connect looks nothing like it did a decade ago, and many of us are still trying to find our place amidst it all.

In times like these, it’s easy to feel untethered, like we’re each just trying to figure things out on our own.

But we were never meant to do life alone.

Community isn’t just about the people who live near us or the clubs we belong to, it’s the quiet, steady heartbeat of human connection.

It’s woven from small, everyday gestures that remind us we’re part of something bigger.

A neighbour who notices you’re away and brings in your bins.

Someone who holds the lift when you’re running late.

A colleague who makes you a coffee without being asked.

These moments might seem insignificant, but they are the building blocks of belonging.

They tell us that we matter, that we’re seen, and that someone is looking out for us.

And belonging, at its core, is one of the most powerful feelings we can offer another human being.

But community doesn’t thrive on kindness alone.

It also depends on empathy and acceptance.

In a world that often encourages division, the ability to truly see and value people who think differently from us is more important than ever.

Acceptance doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything.

It means we allow space for difference without letting it divide us.

It means recognising that behind every opinion is a story, and behind every story is a person just trying to make sense of the world in their own way.

When we meet others with curiosity instead of judgement, when we seek to understand rather than to win an argument, we strengthen the very fabric of our communities.

Diversity of thought, background and perspective isn’t a weakness.

It’s what makes a community resilient.

Encouragement is another vital thread.

Too often, we underestimate the power of a kind word or a simple acknowledgement of someone’s efforts.

In a culture that can be quick to criticise, choosing to lift someone up is an act of quiet rebellion and one that can make all the difference.

A few genuine words can spark hope, reignite purpose, or remind someone why their contribution matters.

Communities don’t happen by accident.

They’re built intentionally through small, consistent actions, through patience and generosity, through our willingness to keep showing up for one another.

As the world around us continues to evolve, our greatest strength will always lie in each other.

In kindness.

In empathy. In our shared humanity.

After all, we only have each other.

Southern Riverina News Google News Panels

Thursday, 19th August 2027

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