Integrated community development through dialogue, capacity-building and partnership in an Australian town

This article discusses the process of mobilising the four sectors – community, government, non-government organisations and business – towards developing dialogical relationships, building community capacity and creating opportunities to meet the felt needs of youth in a rural town in Australia. Drawing on Paulo Freire's thoughts, the qualitative data, field education records, community workers actions and the authors’ reflections, it critically analyses several key factors that facilitated and hindered participation of a range of agencies and people in initiating and maintaining community projects. The article argues that, although challenging, the four sectors can develop partnerships and work together, and similar integrated community-based projects can be replicated elsewhere.