That’s the view of Beneath the Wisteria convener Robert McLean, who has long searched for a venue in Shepparton that allowed for and encouraged conversation and now, he has found one.
The newly expanded La Trobe University campus in North St near the intersection with Stewart St has outdoor fixed seating for about 25 people in a circle, ensuring face-to face conversation.
Beneath the Wisteria has been a part of Shepparton’s cosmos for nearly 15 years and was so named by Mr McLean as that is where the group met for years — beneath the wisteria in the city’s Maude St Mall.
Some public seating was available in the former mall but, according to Mr McLean, it discouraged rather than encouraged conversation and so those joining the group brought their own chairs.
The group survived COVID-19, by meeting virtually, and the revamp of the mall, hanging on in the hope that the refreshed mall would provide some conversation/community-friendly spaces, but that was not to be.
Mr McLean said he was saddened by what exists, or doesn’t exist, in the ‘new’ mall, as it appeared designed to answer the needs of machines rather than people.
However, after a few months in recess, Beneath the Wisteria is back, sans the wisteria, and this time at the circular outdoor seating in the breezeway at La Trobe University.
Shepparton head of campus Elizabeth Capp has approved the gathering, but warned that as the group met on Saturdays, the building would not be open and so there would be no access to facilities.
The next gathering of Beneath the Wisteria supporters will be at 11am on Saturday, December 14, at which attendees will have the chance to talk about climate change and its personal and society-wide impacts.
Beneath the Wisteria is not truly an activist group, as it is about conversation, but it is worth remembering the view of the convener of Melbourne-based Conversations at the Crossroads, Joseph Camilleri, that all action is preceded by conversation.
People with questions about the event can contact Mr McLean on 0400 502 199.
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