Lynne Craigie believes her community will emerge stronger and more united from the upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shire of East Pilbara president says she has seen signs of people in Newman and surrounds being more willing to reach out and connect with colleagues and others around them. She believes there will be more resilience and friendships built out of the difficulties the community has been through.

Lynne tells the latest instalment in Creating Communities’ Stronger Together series of video conversations that the Newman community has responded well to the loss of in-person social connections by making the switch to online interactions.

As a younger demographic, local people are internet-savvy and adept at finding innovative ways to maintain connections.

“No one needs to go through this alone,” Lynne says.

Lynne Craigie is president of the Shire of East Pilbara, the largest local government in WA by area, with its administrative centre in Newman. She is also the immediate past president of the WA Local Government Association. She has chaired a range of local community groups, including the Pilbara Regional Council, Newman Women’s Shelter, Newman Visitors Centre and the Newman Senior High School board. 

This is the third in Creating Communities’ series of video conversations with prominent Australians offering insights and wisdom on coping with the challenges this pandemic presents for all of us. It is a key part of our “Stronger Together” approach to the COVID-19 crisis as we work to bring people and communities together to help each other through this testing time.