Kitchen Table Democracy Comes to Wills

Many people today are disenchanted with politics and distrust the political process. Voices of Wills is a group of local residents who believe there is a better way for people to have a say in the decisions that affect their community.

The group's approach is simple: bringing neighbours together around kitchen tables for small, facilitated conversations where everyone has the opportunity to speak and be heard. The emphasis is on listening rather than debating, and on understanding what matters most to local people rather than promoting any political party or agenda. Each conversation is guided by a facilitator, recorded anonymously by a scribe, and contributes to a broader picture of the priorities and concerns of people living across the Wills electorate.

Many participants find the experience surprisingly rewarding. In an age when public discussion often feels polarised or confrontational, taking the time to listen respectfully to others, and knowing that your own views are genuinely heard, can be refreshing. Kitchen table conversations are not about winning arguments. They are about building understanding and giving ordinary people a meaningful voice.

The kitchen table model first gained national attention in the Victorian electorate of Indi, where extensive community listening helped shape the successful campaign that elected independent Cathy McGowan in 2013. Since then, similar listening campaigns have been used by a number of community independent movements around Australia. What people say around the kitchen table will help determine the issues Voices of Wills focuses on as it works to encourage stronger, more responsive representation for the electorate.

Voices of Wills is following that same philosophy. The conversations are not designed to promote a political party or a predetermined outcome. Instead, they seek to understand the hopes, concerns and ideas of people who live in the electorate. The ideas and concerns raised through the conversations will help shape the group's future activities and advocacy, ensuring its work reflects the priorities of the people of Wills.

Voices of Wills is now looking for people from across the electorate who would like to be part of the conversation. Whether you'd like to attend a kitchen table discussion, help shape the group's future direction or simply find out more, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more, visit voicesofwills.au or email voicesofwills@gmail.com.