Article written by Danielle Hargrove, Marketing & Communications Lead, Educate Plus | 12 September 2025
When news broke of the recent shark attack at Long Reef/Dee Why Beach (Sydney), my heart stopped. That stretch of coastline is where my son surfs, and he was currently out surfing! I immediately picked up the phone to call him. The first call rang out. The second went unanswered. By the third attempt, fear had already tightened in my chest, and only when he finally answered, did I feel a sense of relief. It’s one thing to hear about events like this in the news; it’s another entirely when the danger is so close to your own family. Tragically though, for another family, that relief was not felt.
What has struck me since, is the way the Northern Beaches community have rallied together. There has been a quiet strength in the way people have checked in, offered comfort and shared the burden of shock. In these moments, you realise that community isn’t just an abstract concept—it’s the steady support that holds you when your world has been rocked.
Since joining Educate Plus, I’ve often reflected on the immense value of our own community – and have contemplated how to continue growing and nurturing this important part of who we are. I’d like to share my observations with you aimed at building personal, professional and institutional levels of community:
Show up consistently:
- To strengthen personal communities, commit to attending regular gatherings (family catch-ups, local sport/community events) even when life feels busy
- In your professional life, be ‘present’ and ‘in the moment’at team meetings, industry events or networking functions, to build credibility and trust
- To foster institutional community building, ensure your institution hosts regular opportunities for connection and makes attendance valued and accessible
Offer help where you can:
- Lend a hand to a neighbour, friend or family member without being asked—small acts of kindness matter (at work too!)
- Share resources, advice or introductions with colleagues and peers to strengthen working relationships
- Build structures like mentoring programs, volunteering initiatives or support networks where helping others is encouraged and easy
Listen and share openly:
- Practice active listening in conversations and be willing to share your own experiences honestly
- Give colleagues your full attention during discussions and contribute transparently to build trust
- Create channels for open communication—surveys, forums, town halls—where voices are heard and respected and improvements are implemented
Celebrate successes together:
- Acknowledge friends’ and family members’ milestones with genuine joy, from birthdays to achievements
- Recognise a colleague’s good work publicly, whether in meetings, emails or informal conversations
- Establish a culture of recognition—awards, shout-outs, or newsletters that highlight collective and individual achievements
Stay connected through good and bad times:
- Keep checking in on people even when an immediate crisis has passed, maintaining relationships beyond difficult moments
- Maintain your network consistently, not just when you need help; send updates, congratulation or a simple “how are you? Or Are you ok?”
- Put systems in place—alumni networks, ongoing professional development, community support groups—that foster enduring engagement
Strong communities don’t just happen by chance. They are the result of a steadfast commitment to authentically standing beside others, offering guidance through challenges and propelling them toward growth—creating environments where both individuals and the collective flourish.
RIP Mercury Psillakis, 6 September 2025
