Community Catchups are informal local gatherings where people can socialise, talk about current issues and public decisions, discuss how democracy can be made stronger, and explore how local people can stay connected, informed and heard between elections.

The Lawnton group has already been meeting regularly at Lawnton Dining for several years Now that VoteWrap is under development, we are ready to welcome more people and grow the local community network.

Date:	Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Time:	6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Frequency:	Every second Tuesday
Venue:	Lawnton Dining
Address:	820 Gympie Road, Lawnton

No booking or membership is required. Drop in to say Hi or stay for the evening.

Open Lawnton Dining in Google Maps

Come along for refreshments, conversation, and discussion about democracy, current political events, VoteWrap, and how local people can stay connected, informed and heard between elections.

You do not need political experience, and there is no pressure to speak or commit to anything. You are welcome to listen, ask questions, meet the group, and see whether this is something you would like to be part of.

Community Catchups are intended to be social, practical and democratic.

A catchup may include:

• refreshments and informal conversation;
• discussion of current political events;
• updates on the VoteWrap web app;
• discussion of active bills before Parliament;
• planning for local outreach and future activities;
• simple group exercises to help us practise clear communication;
• time for people to get to know one another.

The exact format can change as the group grows.

The purpose is not to rush people into voting or pressure anyone to take a position. The purpose is to help the community learn how to listen, communicate clearly, understand issues, and move gradually toward community consensus.

Community Catchups are also a place to discuss the progress of VoteWrap and plan local outreach.

This may include:

• how the VoteWrap web app is developing;
• what the local group needs next;
• how to invite more residents;
• future letterboxing;
• welcoming new people;
• speaking with people who want to know more before they attend;
• preparing for larger community activities.

The aim is to grow carefully and respectfully.

For more details see our Community Engagement Plan.

One of the core activities of Vote4Democracy will be helping local communities discuss the bills that come before our federal Parliament.

At this early stage, we can begin by talking about active bills without formally voting on them.

This gives people time to understand the issues, hear different points of view, ask questions, and practise respectful democratic discussion before the full VoteWrap process is introduced.

A catchup might include a 20-minute discussion of one bill, followed by a short break for social conversation. On some evenings, we may discuss one bill. On other evenings, we may discuss two or three.

The format will stay flexible.

As the group grows, one possible activity is a simple communication exercise based on the game sometimes called “whispers” or “telephone”.

In that game, a message is passed from person to person and then compared with the original message at the end. It can be a useful way to show how easily meaning can change as information moves through a group.

This activity may become useful once the group reaches around ten people.

It will not be imposed. It can be introduced as an idea, and the group can democratically decide whether it wants to include it.

Over time, we may build a simple web app to record the results of each communication exercise so we can see whether our ability to communicate clearly is improving.

As the group becomes larger, we will begin working toward a Policy Party Night.

A Policy Party Night would be a more developed community event where people come together socially and democratically to discuss real issues, understand different positions, and help the community move toward clearer collective understanding.

This may become practical once the group reaches around twenty people.

Community Catchups are the training ground. They help us build trust, practise communication, discuss bills, and prepare for stronger democratic participation between elections.

The next step is simple.

Come along to a Community Catchup, meet the group, and see whether this is something you would like to be part of.

If you are interested but unsure, you are welcome to contact us first and speak with someone from the group.