POWER OF COMMUNITY - Yarrayne / Guildford Victoria

DATES 12-14 March 2026

LOCATION Yarrayne / Guildford on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in the Victorian Central Goldfields region. The Friday main seminar day will be at the Guildford Public Hall, 32 Fryers St, Guildford Victoria
CPD 6 formal points available on the Friday

THE EVENT
RAA’s first event for 2026 will focus on systems that support sustainability across various scales of community, business, and development. This gathering will explore both current and emerging systems, investigating the interplay between technological advancements and the essential community and individual resolve that drives change. We will examine a range of diverse case studies, particularly highlighting instances where communities have successfully leveraged their collective influence to advocate for their future.

The event’s co-creative directors are Mechanical Engineer Robert Mierisch, bringing over 20 years of experience in sustainable technologies and distributed thermal storage, and Emily Knight, an Architect and dedicated sustainability expert. Together, they are crafting a program designed to inspire, inform, and equip delegates to become instigators of change within their own communities.

THE LOCATION
Yarrayne / Guildford is a town on the Loddon River established in the 1850s gold rush, located 140kms north west of Melbourne and equidistant from the regional centres of Bendigo and Ballarat. Guildford, once the home to 6,000 miners, and now home to 350, retains its historic character with its preserved goldfields-era buildings like the Guildford Hotel. It is located within 20km of 2 significant community energy projects: the Hepburn Wind Project (operation from 2011) which was the first community wind project in Australia; and the Newstead Community energy project - a solar farm with a 5MWh battery storage system with aspirations to achieve 100% renewable energy for the town. 

FRINGE EVENTS | THURSDAY 12TH & SATURDAY 14TH MARCH
A fringe program of optional events is being provided on the Thursday and Saturday offering the opportunity to engage with the local area in a fun and relaxing way. Fringe event registration will become available closer to the event and full event ticket holders will be notified. Full event ticket holders have access to all fringe events, usually at no additional charge, though RAA may seek to cover costs incurred for specific sessions if required. 

RAA events are open to associated disciplines and interested community members as well as RAA members.

RAA members attending can access a 10% discount on Non Member tickets for fellow practice staff. Discount code is available in member area.

*Please note that event program and details are subject to change.

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EVENT INFO
News
POWER OF COMMUNITY fringe event
POWER OF COMMUNITY fringe event

A tour of Hepburn Energy will be our first fringe event for Power of Community. Hepburn Energy is a member owned co-operative and Australia’s first community owned wind farm, now looking to add solar and battery storage.

Hepburn Energy owns and operates Australia’s first community-owned wind farm. The 2 wind turbines, known as Gale and Gusto have been offsetting the town of Daylesford since 2011. Now the organisation are working on being the first hybrid wind, solar and battery co-operative and showcasing to other communities a successful community energy model.

POWER OF COMMUNITY presenter
POWER OF COMMUNITY presenter

Marnie Hawson will discuss where businesses who want to “do better for nature” can start, and how they can move beyond carbon. Her workshop will make biodiversity real, accessible, and directly connected to business reality — bringing nature into the room in a tangible, practical way.

Marnie Hawson is a former environmental scientist turned photographer, using two connected paths to support nature through the built environment.

POWER OF COMMUNITY venue
POWER OF COMMUNITY venue

The Guildford Public Hall is a much-loved venue central to its local community and will become the hub for discussion, conversation and learning at RAA’s March 2026 event. Powered by community itself, it is the fitting space for a gathering that aims to inspire and empower delegates to instigate change in their own local area.

POWER OF COMMUNITY creative director
POWER OF COMMUNITY creative director

Now local to Yarrayne / Guildford, Robert Mierisch is a semi-retired Mechanical Engineer and inventor of several innovative systems in mechanical engineering. Currently, Robert is working on a Rural Residential Energy System that will provide electricity, hot water, winter heating, summer cooling and electric car charging, at night.

His home has four sources of water and hundreds of food bearing plants and is his testing ground for highly cost effective energy systems for rural residences and businesses. His solar heated pool and spa will soon be used to reduce his heating and cooling costs and ensure his air conditioner always works well.

EVENT TECHNICAL SUPPORT

These organisations are supporting POWER OF COMMUNITY and will be on hand to provide technical support during the event in Yarrayne / Guildford. RAA would like to thank them for their commitment to design in the regions.