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 look at the power of individuals and communities to shape their future and drive outcomes for their local area. This gathering will explore diverse case studies including where communities have harnessed their collective power to advocate for their future. It will focus on sustainable power storage options, thinking outside the box on a development, community and regional scale- using heat and cold. Under the creative direction of the inventive and curious mind of Robert Mierisch a Mechanical Engineer with more than 20 years of engagement with sustainable technologies and various forms of distributed thermal storage this event aims to inspire, inform and arm delegates to be instigators in their 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.