Artist and designer Cris Clucas’ broken laptop was the catalyst for entering Canberra Innovation Network’s Adaptive City Challenge. Hoping with the prize money to replace her computer, Cris shared her story of living in affordable housing in Canberra and spoke about cohousing as a solution to our society’s growing mental health concerns, loneliness and isolation - and she won! In the process of writing the pitch, Cris met Cohousing Canberra President, Fiona Game, who shared that this moment in time is pivotal in Canberra’s history as the ACT Government is reviewing the ACT Masterplan and Planning Act. With the recently approved small-scale cohousing development Stellulata starting in 2023 and proposed North Watson site slated for cohousing development through Cohousing Canberra, Cris decided instead to use the $5,000 prize money to organise a one-day cohousing symposium. Cris and Fiona have invited Australian cohousing experts to speak at the symposium in Canberra with the aim of creating community groundswell and bringing together Canberrans interested in joining the North Watson Cohousing development. The symposium will also be of interest to: • people who have thought about living in a cooperative community but don’t know where to start; • Canberra residents who are not sure how cohousing projects might affect their neighbourhood; • members of resident associations and community councils who want to understand more about new housing choices for their community; • cohousing supporters who want to hear directly from experts and people with lived experience of cohousing; • policy makers who want to understand more about how the issues have been dealt with in other jurisdictions. This symposium is a rare opportunity for Canberrans to discuss with experts and meet others with an interest in this alternative housing model - cohousing. Contact: Ms Cris Clucas 0408 544 077 cris.clucas@gmail.com MEDIA RELEASE Adaptive City Prizewinner to tackle Canberra’s isolation problem at cohousing symposium Click to YouTube, watch Cris’ winning 3-minute elevator pitch and find out how cohousing could be solution to isolation & loneliness. Tuesday 13 September Cohousing Symposium Saturday 17 September Burgmann College ANU Featuring Australian cohousing experts in-person: Planning, delivery & creation of connected, healthy cohousing communities. Available for interviews: Ms Cris Clucas with: Winner Adaptive City Challenge Ms Fiona Game or President Cohousing Canberra Mr Ian Ross Stellulata Cohousing Development Ainslie Tickets & program: In person: Full $50, Student/ Pensioner/Concession $35. After Symposium dinner $35 per head (food,drinks incl). Symposium Streaming Ticket: $15. Sale ends 17 Sept, 9.30am. Facebook event Facebook Cohousing Canberra Read Cris’ Canberra Innovation Network interview