From idea to impact: Growing a project from a seed

At Project: CreateChange, we help small not-for-profits create impact through simple, smart project design. By blending human facilitation, strategic thinking, and AI support, we help turn great ideas into clear, achievable project plans. This is an example of our work.

Murnong First Peoples’ Gathering Place (MFPGP) in Glen Iris is an Aboriginal-led hub for culture and connection. It provides a safe gathering place for First Peoples in Melbourne’s Inner East and creates opportunities for non-Aboriginal community members to deepen their understanding and walk together in reconciliation.

As a non-Aboriginal person and a strong ally, I love spending time with other volunteers in the Wominjeka Garden, in the office and at events. It is such a special place for everyone to learn, to connect and to show respect for country and for the First People who have cared for this place for 1000’s of generations.

Wominjeka Garden

The Wominjeka Garden, Murnong’s outdoor community space, is central to it vision - a place where people gather, yarn, learn, and connect with Country. Yet despite its importance, the garden and gathering place lack a clear visual identity. The main street entrance is hard to recognise and doesn’t feel inviting, making it easy to overlook. Many locals don’t realise Murnong is an Aboriginal-led organisation open to all.

As both a Project: CreateChange facilitator and a Murnong volunteer, I was recently part of an ideation session to explore ideas for a new grant opportunity. Together, we identified visibility and identity as the top priority. I then met with the project coordinator and a volunteer to discuss the project’s scope, intent, and key activities.

Back at my desk, I refined the project with AI support — clarifying its purpose, defining outcomes and activities, and mapping pathways to impact. The result was a clear, fundable plan with a set of impact measures aligned with Murnong’s strategy and vision. As one volunteer reflected:

“Wow Carina. This is amazing. So insightful and spot on… I cannot honestly think of anything to add.”

Although the group ultimately decided not to submit the grant due to documentation requirements, they left with a strong, fundable project they truly owned. For me, that’s the real success — a project grown from the heart of community, ready to attract the right funding and make its vision visible.

5th November 2025