Changing Australia: Jimmy Murphy and creating connected communities

In this episode of Radio National Breakfast's 'Changing Australia,' host Melissa Clark speaks with Jimmy Murphy, co-founder of the Town Team Movement in Western Australia. Murphy shares how a grassroots initiative sparked by a two-month street festival in Leaderville evolved into a nationwide movement empowering ordinary people, businesses, and local councils to co-create vibrant, connected communities. Drawing on the philosophy of 'old school citizenship,' Murphy emphasizes that community building isn't solely the responsibility of government or institutions but a shared duty of all citizens. He outlines the Town Team model—informal, volunteer-driven groups that collaborate with councils on projects ranging from street art and festivals to community gardens and safety improvements—while addressing challenges like time scarcity and funding. The movement supports these efforts through grants, education, peer networks, and practical resources, helping communities build trust and momentum over time. Success stories like the women-led initiative in Narrabeam, which transformed isolation into connection through a community cafe, a cubby house, and a mural, illustrate the profound impact of small, sustained actions. The episode underscores that meaningful community change begins not with grand plans, but with simple, local acts of participation and care.