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The third place project

The Third Place Project was designed to reach women in the Shire of Yarra Ranges from lower socio economic risk groups, most likely to be located in the areas of Healesville and Yarra Junction. It was aimed to reach these women, either in the at risk age of 30-50 or younger, through schools kindergartens or other existing groups. In this way information can be shared in a way that also builds community – whilst we aimed to reach potential problem gamblers, we also aimed to assist friends (and families) to support at risk members of the community and provide appropriate referral where necessary. The project aimed also to raise awareness of problem gambling with young people and the community in general and to provide a forum for regional educators. Thus there were four major components to the Third Place project:

  1. A series of “third place” events. These events are designed to provide a safe third place where women problem gamblers, their families, friends and peers can get together to have some old-fashioned fun and start to regain some of the community spirit that has been lost in the ever increasing speed of our daily lives.
    The professional set-up, regular live entertainment and unique cuisine of The Chapel restaurant will encourage everybody to enjoy, understand and promote the dual purpose (awareness raising and providing a recreational alternative to gaming venues) of The Chapel. The Yarra Ranges Shire Council will provide buses to transport the target groups in Yarra Junction and Healesville. Six of events were held over the winter months of 2004.
  2. Marketing the third place events and problem gambling support services. Two teams of Swinburne University undergraduate marketing students put together a marketing plan for the events at The Chapel and for the combined regional gambling support services. Involving the young people themselves will provide for communication/connection with this potential at risk group. Students had academic supervision during the process and assessed on their results. It was expected that the marketing plans would include local media campaigns which will also be supported by promotion in “Shirewide”, the Council newsletter which is distributed to every household in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. In addition existing written material on display at The Chapel, designed to raise awareness of problem gambling and publicise help services, will be evaluated. Additional marketing collateral that can be used in an ongoing manner will be produced.
  3. Qualitative evaluation and documentation of case studies. Under academic supervision at least two teams of Swinburne Sociology students would interview project participants and document case histories of problem gamblers who have been successfully involved with The Chapel with a view to providing some qualitative research to underpin future endeavours in the region. This strategy is in line with the VLGA Gambling Task Force recommendations.
  4. A forum for educators. It was proposed that a forum for educators be held at The Chapel in collaboration with regional support services. It is planned that the involved Swinburne students will play a role in this forum. A panel of expert speakers, for example, Rev. Tim Costello and/or other members of the taskforce, Gabriela & Jennifer Byrne, Tim Falkiner (Know The Odds), will provide an overview of the political, social and emotional cost of problem gambling. We will also be highlighting the high possibility that our young people will become the next generation of problem gamblers. The audience will have an opportunity to participate by asking questions and commenting on the presentations. Playback Theatre will summarise and conclude the evening. The potential to run a forum for young people will be canvassed at this event.

The report Where are the Third Places: Recreational Alternatives to Gambling is available in PDF format.