Neighbours for Change!

A Block Party to Celebrate Fernwood Neighbours

2nd annual Neighbours for Change event honours memory of Roger Colwill

This Sunday, 500 people are expected to attend Neighbours for Change – an old fashioned block party created to celebrate community and bring friends together for an afternoon of fun in Fernwood.

The idea was inspired by the spirit of Roger Colwill, a fixture in the Victoria community for many years until his passing in 2007. Roger was gifted at bringing people together and was always looking to help. His generosity was not limited to family and friends: Roger truly believed that communities are based on people helping people. In fact, he was responsible for starting Victoria’s Green Drinks – a monthly green networking event that boasts over 150 regular attendees.

Now Roger’s family and friends are celebrating their community and giving back. Organized by Roger’s daughter, Sarah Colwill, and her friend Tara Zajac, this year’s event will be suited to all ages. There will be a kids’ art area, a farmers’ market with local wares, a dunk tank, BBQ, and more. There will even be Glen the Barber on hand for those who want to freshen up their look. “Glen was such a dear friend of Roger’s that one year my dad painted Glen’s house in exchange for a year of free haircuts”, laughs Sarah. Long time Colwill family friend Sam Langridge will be lending his musical talents to the affair with his group, Party Band.

Neighbours for Change is also the primary fundraiser for the Roger Colwill Fund for the Environment, a fund established by Roger’s family after his death. The fund goes to community-based sustainability initiatives, such as Green Drinks and the forthcoming Robert Bateman Centre at Royal Roads University.

The Fernwood community has come together in anticipation of the event with many of the businesses donating time or services. To assist in raising money for the Fund, there will be a silent auction with a wide range of items, from fishing charters and bikes to signed Robert Bateman prints.

“Sarah and I feel that the fabric of a community is strengthened when people get to know their neighbours”, says Tara, “What better way to bring people together than with great food, sunshine, music, and fun?”

Neighbours for Change is from 2pm-5pm on Sunday, July 18th at the corner of Fernwood Street and Gladstone Street in Victoria. Please email neighboursforchange@gmail.com for more information.

Sarah Colwill is an owner of the Fernwood Inn and Boo to you Designs. Tara Zajac promotes ethical investing at Stephen Whipp Financial. Both are committed supporters of local businesses, local farmers, and grassroots community initiatives.

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