Power of Community: Presented by Regional Architecture Association

The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) announces its first event for 2026 – POWER OF COMMUNITY in Yarrayne / Guildford — its first in the state of Victoria – focused on deeper discussions around community strength, environmental systems scalability and the potential for collective achievement and real-world improvements.

Established in 2021, the Regional Architecture Association (RAA) has over 240 members across the country, consisting of architects, affiliated professions and others who simply have an interest in what is happening in regional Australia and wish to be part of a community of like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds.

RAA produces three in person events each year and these have become widely known for connecting architects to communities, industry and decision-makers, while shining a light on the diversity of regional practice — its issues and its people. All RAA events are open to associated disciplines and community members as well as members.

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.

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.

POWER OF COMMUNITY is being co-creative directed by Guildford-based Robert Mierisch along with Emily Knight who is based between Sydney and Moruya on the NSW South Coast. Robert is a semi-retired Mechanical Engineer and inventor of several innovative systems in mechanical engineering, while Emily a self-confessed sustainability nerd and passionate advocate for community, having been an active member of the RAA committee and its events since 2022. Together, they have crafted a program designed to inspire, inform, and equip delegates to become instigators of change within their own communities.

POWER OF COMMUNITY – FRINGE EVENTS – Thursday 12th March 

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.

From there, Hobart-born, Naarm based artist David Booth, aka Ghostpatrol, will discuss his work including characters Gale and Gusto depicted on the Hepburn Energy turbines; he also has has “…a fun little drawing exercise game to loosen us up. We’re drawing to laugh and connect, we’re drawing to make something new.”

Delegates are then invited to gather at the 5 Flags Hotel in Campbell’s Creek for a buy-your-own community dinner.

POWER OF COMMUNITY – MAIN SPEAKER DAY – Friday 13th March 

The main speaker day at the Guildford Public Hall will include discussion around the nearby Renewable Newstead, which aims to transition the community to 100% renewable energy through an innovative model for local generation and distribution of power.

Co-creative director Robert Mierisch will present his innovative development of a prototype for a highly cost-effective energy system for rural residences along with Matt Wilson of Central Spark, who will speak about their collaboration bringing this project to life.

We will also hear from Dr Mark B. Luther who will present his prototype hydronic suspended ceiling panel.

After lunch, Dr Jock Gilbert will speak about his work engaging communities through the RMIT Yulendj Weelam Lab and we will hear from former environmental scientist turned photographer Marnie Hawson on where businesses who want to “do better for nature” can start, and how they can move beyond carbon

Along the way, there will also be updates from Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner and ARBV Registrar and CEO Dr Glenice Fox.

The day will conclude with a panel discussion and Q&A on how to engage community which is bound to include a broad spectrum of perspectives and insight.

POWER OF COMMUNITY – FRINGE EVENTS – Saturday 14th March 

Saturday will begin with a walk for the early risers followed by a site visit to Design Office’s compact project, Goldfields Dwelling.

Delegates will then have the opportunity to tour the grounds of The Paddock, a 27-unit cluster housing development in Castlemaine designed by Geoff Crosby, which won the 2025 Australian Institute of Architects Vic Chapter The Allan & Beth Coldicutt award for Sustainability. It also won the National Architecture & Design 2025 Sustainability Award in the multiple residential dwellings category.

Back in Guildford, we will conclude the program with tour of an innovative local straw bale, off-grid home.

POWER OF COMMUNITY – ONLINE LEAD-UP EVENTS  

In the lead up to POWER OF COMMUNITY, RAA will hold two online events to introduce the themes being explored and set the scene for the in person experience. Details below. 

• WEDNESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 1-2PM ONLINE | Engaging Community in the Energy Transition, Yackandandah, Victoria. Dr Juliette Milbank will speak about Totally Renewable Yackandandah and the projects undertaken to transition the town to 100% renewable energy. More information and booking here. 
• THURSDAY 5TH MARCH 1-2PM ONLINE | From Grassroots to Grid: How Community-Led Action Can Drive Systemic Change in Regional Australia. More information and booking here.

More information: regionalarchitecture.net.au

Bookings: Humanitix