Community connections only make us stronger across Hobart

GOOD COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ONLY MAKE US STRONGER ACROSS HOBART, PEOPLE ARE BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS, LEARNING NEW SKILLS AND FINDING A SENSE OF BELONGING EDWIN – JOHNSTONE

Hobart has always been a city built on community. It’s something visitors notice quickly. Walk through Salamanca on a Saturday morning, attend a local event or spend time at one of our many festivals and you’ll feel the strong sense of community that exists here.

That sense of connection is one of the things that makes our city special. But strong communities don’t happen by accident. They are created every day by people who give their time, their energy and their care to the community around them.

Across Hobart there are many organisations quietly doing this work. Volunteer groups, local charities and sporting clubs all create places where people can meet, contribute and feel they belong. They are the social glue of our city.

These groups bring together people from different backgrounds, ages and life experiences. They provide support when people are struggling and create opportunities for celebration when things are going well. Many operate with limited resources but an extraordinary amount of goodwill. Their contribution often happens quietly, but its impact is significant.

Consider the many volunteers who support community organisations across Hobart every week. These efforts strengthen the fabric of the city in ways that can’t always be measured in economic terms.

Community connection also plays a powerful role in wellbeing. When people feel part of something larger than themselves, when they have a place to gather and a group to belong to, it reduces isolation and strengthens resilience. Hobart has many examples of this in action.

Groups like the Choir of High Hopes Hobart show just how powerful community connection can be when people are given the opportunity to come together in a welcoming and supportive environment.

The choir brings together people from very different walks of life, including those who may be experiencing hardship, isolation or difficult circumstances, and creates a space where everyone is welcomed without judgment.

Every Tuesday, behind Scots Church in Hobart, people come together not just to rehearse songs, but to share stories, build friendships and support one another.

Through the simple act of singing together, people rediscover confidence, rebuild social connections and become part of something larger than themselves. In the process, strangers become friends and individuals become a genuine community.

For many members it is about much more than music. The weekly gatherings offer stability, routine and a place of belonging. It is somewhere people know they will be greeted by name, where they are valued, encouraged and accepted for who they are. For some, it provides an important social anchor in their week and something to genuinely look forward to.

The role of volunteers is central to helping the choir flourish. From assisting with organisation and transport to simply taking the time to check in on members, volunteers help create the warm and inclusive environment that makes the choir what it is. Their quiet commitment ensures the choir remains a safe and supportive space for everyone involved.

The choir also demonstrates something important about Hobart itself. It shows that community strength often comes not from large programs or major initiatives, but from small, consistent efforts where people choose to support one another. The success of the Choir of High Hopes Hobart is built on kindness, patience and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong.

More than anything, the choir is a reminder of what can happen when people come together with kindness, creativity and a shared purpose. It shows that community is not just something we talk about, it is something we actively build. And in doing so, it continues to change lives in quiet but meaningful ways.

Across Hobart there are many organisations doing similar work, creating spaces where people can build friendships, learn new skills and find a sense of belonging.

In a world where many places are experiencing growing social division and isolation, Hobart still holds onto something important, a genuine sense of community. That is something we should never take for granted.

The strength of Hobart has always been its people and the networks they build together. Our volunteer culture, our local organisations and our community initiatives all contribute to the character of the city.

Supporting these organisations matters. It means recognising the contribution of volunteers, ensuring community groups have spaces to meet and encouraging opportunities for people to participate in civic life.

When communities are connected, people are more likely to care about their neighbourhoods, support local initiatives and contribute positively to the city they live in.

Connection builds pride in place and also strengthens resilience. During challenging times, periods of economic uncertainty or the disruption of recent years, communities with strong local networks are better able to support each other and recover more quickly. Hobart has demonstrated this time and again.

Looking ahead, Hobart will continue to grow and change, as all successful cities do. More people are choosing to live here, new businesses are opening and investment is reshaping parts of the city. That growth is a positive sign of confidence in Hobart’s future, but it also brings responsibility.

As the city evolves, we need to make sure we don’t lose the qualities that make Hobart different from larger mainland capitals. Hobart has always worked best when it has balanced progress with people, when development happens alongside strong community life rather than at its expense. Growth should strengthen the character of the city, not dilute it.

What has always set Hobart apart is not just its natural beauty or built environment, but the way people remain connected to their city and to each other. You see it in the way local organisations collaborate, the way volunteers step forward when needed and the way community groups continue to create places where people feel they belong.

In the end, the success of a city is not measured only by new projects or population figures. It is measured by whether it remains a place where people feel connected, supported and proud to call home.

By that measure, Hobart remains a very strong city.

Edwin Johnstone is chair of Business Greater Hobart and board member of the Choir of High Hopes Hobart