What’s in your HEART?
Community members aged from 18 onwards are invited to register interest in participating in one of seven focus groups to assist the Margaret River HEART with future planning.
Small sized group discussions consisting of about ten to 12 people will explore the community’s views about the venue, types of events people would like to attend and how they would like to see the venue provide maximum value to the region.
Margaret River HEART General Manager Nicky Hansen said the team particularly wants to hear from people who have never engaged with the venue before.
“We’d love to know what types of things we could offer that would entice a newcomer to visit the building and get involved”, she said.
“We also want to explore any barriers there might be for some folk to attend certain types of events.
“This is an opportunity to provoke discussion about the place of performing arts in our region, what experiences it offers the community and how that improves the liveability of our region.
“Participants will have the opportunity to express how they are feeling coming out of COVID-19 restrictions and how comfortable they are to gather in crowds and interact with people in a cinema or theatre environment.
“They might also offer some insight into what constitutes a good venue for the region besides just staging live performance.
“There’s been many studies that show regular attendance and engagement with theatre promotes flourishing and meaningful social interaction, psychological stimulation and positive emotions.”
The 90-minute focus groups are being funded and led by independent researcher Sam Lynch from Circuit West.
Mr Lynch will be talking to families with children in primary school or younger, young people aged between 18 – 30 and residents of Cowaramup and Augusta.
Catering will be provided on the day and all participants will receive a $40 local shopping voucher.
The HEART will also be asking the entire Margaret River Region for their thoughts in research to follow.
If you would like to get involved and share your opinion, please visit www.margaretriverheart.com.au/registrations to register your interest in participating. Please complete the survey in full.
The following community focus groups will be held:
- Parents with children in primary school or younger:
Margaret River Recreation Centre –Tuesday 25 August 2020 between 10.30am – 12pm (creche service included).
Margaret River Recreation Centre – Thursday 27 August 2020 between 11am – 12.30pm (creche service included).
- Young people aged between 18 – 30 years old:
Margaret River HEART – STUDIO Theatre – Wednesday 26th August between 6.30pm – 8.00pm.
Margaret River HEART – STUDIO Theatre – Thursday 27th August between 6.30pm – 8.00pm.
- Augusta residents:
Shire of Augusta Council Chambers – Tuesday 25 August 2020 between 2.00pm – 3.30pm.
- Cowaramup residents:
Duggan Pavilion Cowaramup – Tuesday 25 August 2020 between 6.30pm – 8.00pm.