Ruth Gilbert

Senior Community Development Officer

What inspired you to work with Community First Development?

I really appreciate our approach and the values of Community First Development. We have such a flexible, positive, and culturally respectful way of supporting communities to achieve the goals that they have identified, all projects are community driven and owned. 

What is a recent project you’ve been involved in?

I have been working on several complex but complementary projects with a south coast community that have been really rewarding and will have many long-term positive impacts. These projects have included a number of our talented volunteers with skills including architecture, town planning, property law, a community housing plan, and governance training. 

What is most rewarding about your work as a Community Development Officer?

There are many rewarding aspects to the role. Being able to spend time with communities and work with them on projects is so great. It’s a privilege to assist with things that make a difference. I can’t emphasise enough how awesome our community members are. I also really value the expertise and generous gift of time and knowledge from our volunteers. I have met some incredible people in this role. And knowing that there are many people who support our work, want to make a real difference for Aboriginal people and who value our approach to community development is humbling and reinforces for me that there is much good in the world.

What have you learnt from working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?

How amazingly resilient, strong and determined our people are. Despite facing often heavy challenges, the commitment to improving the lives of our community is always there as well as the humour and generosity of spirit.