AXEDALE residents gathered to talk business, community and how their town could thrive at the inaugural Axedale & Districts Community Senate on Sunday.
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Organiser Yvonne Wrigglesworth said the Senate was a platform for local groups to discuss their ideas and identify a whole-of-town strategy to further Axedale's community spirit.
"We are astounded by the response," Ms Wrigglesworth said. "It's more than a meeting, it's a chance to meet your neighbours and various community groups.
"We thought there was more we could do together."
The Senate was organised by the Axedale Our Town - Our Future committee, which was formed with the intention of developing a three-year plan for the town.
Ms Wrigglesworth said that the Senate involved 40 people representing sporting groups, small businesses and volunteer organisations gathering for three hours to discuss ideas.
One idea involved initiating an annual ukulele festival, while another person suggested the town hosted an outback trail run.
Attendees also decided they would consult one another when scheduling events, to ensure there were no clashes, and also identified small businesses the town was in need of.
Bendigo Bank national community strenghtening manager Chris DeAraugo facilitated the Senate and session topics included "Exploring Axedale's opportunities", "Small businesses and Axedale" and "The collaborating community".
"In my experience, good things happen each time good people get together, discussing good things," Mr DeAraugo said.
Ms Wrigglesworth said she was pleased with how the day unfolded.
"It warms my heart to see people have given up their Sunday to put their hand up and say they want to be part of developing Axedale's potential," she said.
"I want to make the town I'm raising my family in (to become) the very best it can be."
Axedale is a small town about 20 kilometres east of Bendigo.