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A generic community profile will have information about each of the main headings
listed below, though these may be varied for specialist profiles. The sub-headings are a
guide to the kinds of information you might need. Some of these may not apply in your
community, and you may wish to add sub-headings for include information on items not
listed. The best community profiles are not just dry lists of data. Write short
descriptions for the items under each heading, which give the flavour and local character
of the community. Use illustrations or photographs where appropriate. There is some
overlap between a descriptive profile and a community study with theoretical and critical
analysis. The degree of analysis and critical comment will depend on your purpose.
Assignment Cover Sheet
Cover page with the name of the community and authors
Acknowledgments
Contents page
Purpose, aims and objectives of the profile
How the information was collected
Why information is arranged as it is
How to use the profile
What kind of community is it? How is the community defined?
Who belongs?
What are its most important features?
Where is the community? What are the physical boundaries?
How did they come to be here? Why are these people in this place?
Internal geography; areas, localities, population centres
Shopping centres, recreation facilities
Roads, railways
Map(s) showing the location of the community in the State and region
Map(s) of the community
Natural features: rivers, coastline, mountains, forests etc.
Climate, rainfall, seasonal changes
Land use
Population size, age and gender
Ethnicity
What are the networks? Patterns of family and friends.
Extended families, nuclear families, single parent families, lone children
Migration patterns, seasonal variation
Language,
Art, crafts,
Story telling, dance & song
Religion & belief
Places of interest
Sites of significance.
Tribal affiliations, dreaming stories and pre-invasion history
Migration and changes in settlement and land use
Settlements, towns, population movements
Recent events
Significant people
Who makes decisions about what? Who are the power brokers?
Local government
Australian and State government departments
Non-government organisations
Community decision making
Factions, internal divisions
Police, courts and public order
Cooperation & factors which unify the community
External pressures
Industries and employment
Unemployment
Transport - car ownership, public transport, community transport
Communications - public phones, mail, fax, radio & TV
Numbers on pensions and benefits
Employment and unemployment.
Income levels & patterns of poverty
Control of land and resources
Land set aside for special purposes
Opportunities & pressures
Children attending school: public, private, special purpose
Homework centres, tutors, weekend schools,
Pre-schools, child care & play groups
Education attained
Adult, community, TAFE and University education & training
Public libraries
Cultural knowledge and Koori education
Health problems in the community
Hospitals, community health services, health centres
Private doctors, dentists & other health professionals
Alternative health practices
Folk medicine
Women's health, other special services
School medical & dental services
Access to health services: cost, transport, language, other factors
Residential drug and alcohol services
Community based services
Non-government services
Information and referral
Drug education
Government departments
Institutions
Children's services
Community based projects
Church agencies
Voluntary organisations
Community service organisations
Number, type & quality of houses
Housing costs, ownership
Other accommodation (hostels, institutions etc)
Changing patterns of housing, plans to increase or replace housing
Action groups and organisations
Community development officers
Community centres & meeting places
Sources of funding
Legal, medical, health, housing, accommodation, welfare,
Recreation, sporting
Political parties, interest groups
General comments about what you found
Comments on needs and resources
Community directory
Statistical tables
Maps
- Full list of people, documents and other sources of information
- Useful directories, reports etc.
- Further reading about the community
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