“Government funding will become increasingly restricted, as needs grow and out-pace resources. We need out of the box thinking when it comes to generating capital to solve community problems”.
– Bree Katsamangos, Mid Coast Community Connector program
When I recently caught up with Bree Katsamangos, Convenor of Mid Coast 4 Kids and a driving force behind the Mid Coast Community Connector program, 18 months into their journey, the progress was impressive. What began as a pilot initiative to address professional workforce challenges in the Mid Coast NSW region has evolved into a sustainable service that’s making a tangible difference in the community. With her extensive background in community development and social impact work, Bree brings valuable insights into how regional communities can take control of their professional workforce challenges.
Having brought the Community Connector Program to Australia from Canada after discovering it during my 2019 Churchill Fellowship, and having supported the Mid Coast team during their crucial establishment phase, I’ve been genuinely delighted to see them flourish as the third successfully established “Community Connector Program” in Australia. The Mid Coast Community Connector program has not merely survived—it has flourished. Their remarkable 18-month transformation from pilot initiative to sustainable service offers invaluable lessons in community-led innovation that I’m eager to share with rural communities across Australia facing similar workforce dilemma.
The Mid Coast Local Government Area is located on the mid-north coast NSW, approximately 300 kilometers north of Sydney. With a population of around 95,000 residents distributed across numerous towns and villages, the region includes key centres such as Taree, Forster-Tuncurry, and Gloucester. Classified as a large regional coastal service centre (MMM3-5) under the Modified Monash Model), the region faces typical rural professional workforce challenges despite its natural attractions and relative proximity to major centres. With an aging demographic and the ongoing challenge of attracting younger professionals to the area, the region exemplifies the workforce retention issues faced by many rural Australian communities.
Beyond Proof of Concept: Toward A Viable Fee-for-Service Model
The Mid Coast Community Connector program has successfully transitioned from its initial investment phase to a viable fee-for-service model. As Bree explains, “We’re holding our own in terms of the fee-for-service model. The service is continuing and we’re making enough to keep the wheels turning.”
This sustainability milestone is particularly significant given the program’s commitment to community-led solutions. “I really want to push for sustainability via a fee-for-service model so we maintain maximum control in addressing community needs,” Bree emphasised. “Government funding will become increasingly restricted, as needs grow and out-pace resources. We need out of the box thinking when it comes to generating capital to solve community problems”.
Making a Measurable Impact: 100 Professionals and Counting
The program recently celebrated a remarkable milestone as Bree proudly shared:
“In a little over 18 months we have settled 100 new professionals and 255 people including their families in the Mid Coast. Allied health professionals, nurses, GP’s, engineers, senior managers, manufacturing staff and more.”
The impact on the healthcare workforce has been particularly significant:
- 37 nurses and their families settled from the UK in just over 8 months
- All newcomers permanently housed, with 6 nurses having already purchased properties
- Mental health professionals, speech therapists, occupational therapists all joining the local workforce
- General practitioners and their families becoming part of the community
- Support for various medical specialists relocating to the region
The economic impact has been substantial. As Bree noted, the local health district have saved money, limiting the need for costly short-term accommodation and streamlining the settlement process for new healthcare workers.
Beyond the financial benefits, the program has maintained a perfect record in retention: “Of all the people we have placed so far, nobody has departed and positive word of mouth about the Community Connector program is strong amongst professionals who have used the service,” Bree proudly shared.
Innovative Solutions to Regional Challenges
The program has demonstrated remarkable creativity in overcoming typical regional barriers:
- Housing Solutions: Despite initial concerns about housing availability, the Community Connector developed strong relationships with local real estate agents who provided priority access to suitable accommodation.
- Childcare Solutions: When childcare emerged as a critical barrier for healthcare workers, particularly those on shift work, the Community Connector forged a relationship with a new childcare centre developer.
- Healthcare Partnerships: The program established a partnership with the Primary Health Network, referring community-based Mid Coast GPs and medical professionals to the Community Connector service. This created a new revenue stream while removing hesitancy from medical practices about covering the costs.
Key Lessons from 18 Months of Operation
The Mid Coast experience has yielded valuable insights for communities considering similar initiatives:
- Value Your Service: After initially providing discounted services, the program now stands firm on its pricing: “We offer exceptional value in our pricing model and we stand by that. Our objective is to remain viable but also accessible so the maximum number of professionals and businesses can benefit over the long term. It’s a fine balance to maintain.”
- International Placements Require Special Consideration: We have learned that international arrivals require approximately three times more work than domestic relocations. ”Where previously we have experimented with bulk discounts (for our settlement and connection service), our experience with international arrivals tells us this is not viable, they’re labour intensive, with a greater number of systems and barriers to navigate.” Bree explained.
- The Right Community Connector Is Critical: Kate Dunn, a local with lots of warmth, amazing critical thinking skills and deep community connections was appointed as the Mid Coast’s Community Connector. Kate maintains a five-star rating from clients. “We could have recruited poorly and had a totally different experience.”
- Governance Requires Commitment: Despite turnover in their governance committee, the program has maintained core organisational support. Bree’s advice: “When you’re putting together a governance group ensure each member derives some benefit from participation. Also, individualise roles and share the responsibilities amongst the respective members. This is how you generate long-term commitment and sustainability”.
- Building Relationships Takes Time: Developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders is an ongoing process, especially when there’s staff turnover in partner organisations. “Turnover in staff is inevitable, this is why organisational buy-in is critical to on-going sustainability. When there is organisational buy-in, less time is needed to cultivate new relationships and build trust. You can leverage the trust and authorising relationship you have already built”.
A Community-Led Solution to a Systemic Problem
What makes the Mid Coast Community Connector program so powerful is its origin as a true community-led initiative to address professional workforce shortages. As Bree describes it:
“We designed and invested in our own Community Connection service. A small number of local allied health providers, community services, our business chambers and local government, all took a risk, putting their money where their mouth is to fund a trial that would give ‘proof of concept’, before developing a fee-for-service model.”
The approach embodies collaborative community action at its best: “With a common purpose, we came together in new ways, taking ownership of the problem, to leverage our assets in a new way to address a systemic challenge.”
Looking to the Future: Expanding the Model
The Mid Coast Community Connector program isn’t standing still. They’re exploring several avenues for growth and sustainability:
- Diversifying Revenue Streams: They’re investigating potential “attraction fees” for connecting professionals with local employers.
- Grant Opportunities: The program has applied for funding to help recruit and settle 120 home care support workers in the region, which would allow them to expand to multiple community connectors with different focus areas.
- Business Community Engagement: They’re planning to sponsor a local business chamber networking event to raise awareness among the local business community, while continuing to build networks across more diverse industry groups
- Service Expansion: Exploring opportunities to monetise additional services, such as childcare service connections, with transparent cost-recovery pricing.
Is a Community Connector Right for Your Region?
The Mid Coast experience demonstrates that while setting up a Community Connector program requires significant groundwork and typically takes about two years to fully establish, the benefits to regional professional workforce sustainability are substantial.
As Bree reflects: “We’re past proof of concept now. We have established that in the Mid Coast, this works. We hope other communities can lean into our example to demonstrate effectiveness, but be prepared for your own community journey in “proof of concept”, we have to bring our communities along with us on the journey.”
For communities considering this approach, the Mid Coast model offers a roadmap to success—demonstrating that with the right governance structure, community connector, and commitment to sustainability, regional communities can take control of their professional workforce challenges.
As Bree reflects on their achievements: “And the result is so bloody satisfying! ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ Margaret Mead.”
She particularly acknowledges their Community Connector: Kate Dunn, as the ‘secret sauce’!
A Growing Movement
The success of the Mid Coast Community Connector program is part of a broader movement addressing professional workforce shortages in rural and regional Australia. With five Community Connector Program sites now well established across Australia and more in development, this model has proven its effectiveness in tackling the complex challenge of attracting and retaining skilled professionals to regional areas.
The most exciting part though of the Mid Coast’s accomplishments is that they transcend just the impressive numbers—they are changing lives, improving healthcare access, and revitalising their community. Their work has helped strengthen the blueprint for other rural communities to benefit from.
Working alongside the governance group during the establishment phase, I was always impressed by how local businesses and industry leaders tackled the hard preparatory work, addressed the funding challenges, and then made the fabulous appointment of Kate Dunn as their ‘Community Connector’. Their determination to solve their community’s skilled professional workforce challenges is truly inspiring.
This is how meaningful, community-led, place-based sustainable change happens.
If the Mid Coast’s Community Connector story resonates with your rural community’s workforce challenges, consider joining our next Kickstart your Community Connector program with Dr Cosgrave or the DIY model. Or contact me today to learn more about implementing the Community Connector model in your community.
Dr. Cath Cosgrave
