Medowie is being transformed this week thanks to the help of volunteers from all sectors of the community.
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David Engwich and his Creative Communities team is leading Medowie's 7-Day Makeover but it is the hands-on work of residents, business owners, their staff and students that has been instrumental in seeing the improvements come to life.
Among the helpers this week has been 13 student leaders and four staff members from Medowie Christian School.
The group spent the best part of their day on Tuesday sanding and preparing aluminum leaves for an instalment that, once finished, will stand at the entrance of Medowie.
"It was a wonderful display of servant leadership. The students and staff members were proud to be contributing to a project that will benefit the entire community," school principal Simon Herd said.
"By participating in the Medowie Makeover, our students were supporting one of our school's core values, enriching community.
"This project provided our students with the opportunity to experience real leadership that is both authentic and engaged in developing community."
Better connectivity, more seating, clearer signage and a brighter community atmosphere is what is hoped to be achieved for the Medowie town centre through the 7-Day Makeover, which has been in action since Saturday, May 8. The transformational part of the makeover is due to wrap up on Friday, May 14.
Many in the makeover leadership group have expressed a desire to reinvigorate the town centre, provide easier access and a more socially acceptable environment where groups of people can gather and socialise.
Kim Oakhill, creator of Medowie Mumpreneurs, said that she had a vision of an "incredible gateway" inspired by the larger than life sign erected at the Gan Gan Road entrance produced during the Anna Bay makeover.
A 'welcome to Medowie' sign was also high on the list for councillor Chris Doohan, along with a connectivity that has been lacking in the town centre.
Year 12 students from Medowie Christian School who helped with the makeover on Tuesday said they enjoyed being part of the community project.
"I enjoyed the opportunity of being able to serve our local community, as I love being able to serve in all circumstances. The Medowie makeover was a great experience to share with the leadership team as it was a way of engaging and building new relationships, along with seeing the vision for our Medowie community," Emily Daniell said.
This was echoed by Poppy Verhaar who said: "It was nice to see how many people got involved in the process. It's such a small community but a tight knit community and everyone wants to have a positive change. It was hard work, it was a bit tedious sanding the leaves, but it was enjoyable."
Elijah Walter added: "As a leadership group, our greatest priority is to uphold the core values of the school. One of these core values is 'enriching community', this means that service in the form of the Medowie Makeover is the perfect chance to represent our school well."
The Medowie Community Centre is the coordination point for the makeover.
Anyone is welcome to roll up their sleeves and help with works but must first register then check in at the hall off Lions Parks before digging in.
A launch party to view the complete works will be held on Saturday, May 15 from 9.30am to 10.30am, starting from the community hall. Register to attend the free launch party here.
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