Laurelle Muir has been working in the Neighbourhood and Community Centre (NCC) sector for many years. She deeply passionate about community development and building the capacity of communities in the event of natural disasters – so much so that she wrote her thesis on the role of place-based community organisations in the operationalisation of community disaster resilience.
“I joined this sector because I’m passionate about working with community and committed to building disaster resilience and the key role that Neighbourhood and Community Centres play in that.”
Laurelle is currently working with NCCs on the development and implementation of the QLD Neighbourhood Centres Strategy for Disaster Resilience. She is also co-chair ofEncircle Ltd, a multi-service not-for-profit organisation that includes Neighbourhood Centres. Encircle deliver human service programs and community legal services in the Moreton Bay Region and the northern suburbs of Brisbane.
When you speak with Laurelle, her passion for Neighbourhood Centres is clear. “I believe neighbourhood centres are critical social infrastructure. They support vulnerable community members, build connections between communities and with other service organisations and work with communities to develop community driven solutions that can achieve positive outcomes.”
We are grateful to have Laurelle’s expertise to codevelop the Disaster Resilience strategy. She brings 25 years of experience working in community engagement, social planning and community development to the table. Prior to joining NCQ, Laurelle was involved in the design and delivery of major and community projects in her role managing Brisbane City Council’s Community Engagement team for seven years. Laurelle coordinated a major Council evacuation centre during the 2011 flood event, and the management of community development recovery projects, inspired a deep interest in the development of community disaster resilience.
Laurelle has completed her Master’s Degrees in both Social Planning and Philosophy, publishing research into the role of place-based community organisations in the operationalisation of community disaster resilience.
Published 27 October 2022
Written By Taylor Bast