The Valley Centre’s vision is to build sustainable resilient communities to secure a cohesive, empowered, creative future where communities are thriving, self-sufficient and able to respond to challenges we face. We approach this by focusing on the key elements of our Model, including education, community, sustainable technologies, wellbeing, youth, nature and connection. We believe that all communities need to have a balanced approached between all these elements to thrive.

This creative, dynamic and ever evolving process, shows how we can live in an integrated, inspirational way, supporting and regenerating the systems upon which we depend.

Since 1992, The Valley Centre has action researched and developed the outward focused programs and projects, coupled with the building of a showcase, both of which are critical contributions to social and ecological change.

Our ultimate vision is to build an EcoWonderland Training and Research Centre, just outside Sydney

A showcase for what’s possible.

Where young people are invited to think about their vision the future.

Where Elders come and share their knowledge and wisdom.

Implementing sustainable technology, innovative business models and community practices.

Here’s an artists impression…

What is the foundation of our work?

Our Model

Here is our Model, which highlights the key elements of our project development. During our action research process, we discovered these 7 areas were fundamental to sustainable resilient community building. We can apply this model in the process of rebuilding communities, as well as to existing suburbs and towns that are inspired to live in a more integrated, ecological and proactive way.

Integration: what this shows us is that we need to be able to think, work and collaborate in a holistic way. We cannot create communities without a sense of connection, focus on our young people, integration with sustainable tech, encouraging wellbeing and creativity. It ensures that we are designing and building a future that encompasses many different elements of life.

Non-prescriptive: the beautiful thing about this model is that is entirely “non-proscriptive”. It allows locations, cultures, diverse communities to choose how to express connection, utilise sustainable technology that is appropriate to the ecosystems and climate of the landscape. It shows us that we need to be constantly educating ourselves, to learn and grow, it doesn’t, say how that is going to be done – that’s for the community to decide.