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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-10-06, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016. R2R conference achieves its original vision Rural Talks to Government. "We need to be able to act and react to the changes that communities are facing," he said. "We also hope that, with a larger committee, we can have the event happen a little smoother. We were still running around just before the conference trying to get things together." The conference itself is the creation of many people including The Citizen Publisher Keith Roulston who has had the idea of a rural -focused conference for several years. "Seeing that original vision realized had me on a high all weekend," he said. "We set out to bring these people together and it was fabulous." Roulston said he would have loved to have other speakers there to add to the already impressive diversity, energy and excitement. "There were additional things we could have accomplished but, with anything like this, there is the realization of what you hope to do versus what is allotted," he said. "People were incredibly excited and impressed with Huron County and it was great to see the creative energy of the people gathered, speaking off each other and being inspired" Roulston was part of two panels, one on rural stories and one on creative farmers. He said that, in talking to people afterwards, what they were learning and taking away was obvious. Telling rural stories A panel at the Rural Talks to Rural conference in Blyth last week focused on telling rural stories. Moderator Keith Roulston, right, brought conversation to dozens in attendance. The panel consisted of, from left: Blyth Festival co-founder James Roy, freelance writer Anne Duke Judd, Member of the Order of Canada Paul Thompson and Festival co-founder and Citizen Publisher Keith Roulston. (DennyScottphoto) Continued from page 1 well as issues that need addressing." Smith also felt the panels clearly displayed the passion for rural communities, saying he heard several people remark on the quality of the panels on youth attraction and immigration. "They spoke during the youth attraction panel about the fact that the person that is coming back to their community is not the same person that left, but the reason they are coming back is because they want to return to what they left behind," Smith explained. "We want to change things so that people are coming back to communities that they want to live in earlier in life and we have to focus on that." The panel on immigration, and whether rural areas were ready for immigrants, showed that rural communities need to do more to welcome migration Smith said, adding that the panel "really affected people". Similarly, the rural health and well-being panel focused on the question of rural health care and whether it was sustainable and its presenters, according to Smith, felt it wasn't in its current form. Smith said he had also heard that the Fashion Arts and Creative Textiles Fibreshed event hosted by Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston was great and it showed off some incredible artists. "There were so many of these panels I wanted to stay at and take in, but, between setting up chairs and spaces and being part of my own panels, it was difficult," he said. "What I heard from people, however, was that things went very well." The conference also featured a special dinner and an investment - opportunity event in Belgrave called The Pitch, The Catch where local investors had the opportunity to invest in or partner with local companies. Stewart said approximately 200 people attended the event and dinner, which featured keynote speaker Amy Cronin, a pork farmer from Huron County with numerous provincial and national accolades. As for how the 2018 conference might be different, Smith said feedback is still coming in and will shape those decisions. He did say, however, that the inclusion of new infrastructure in the community will change how the event is run. "We will be using different assets," he said. "This year we used a tent, the arena, a church and the Legion branch to house the events, however next time we will have the recently -renovated Memorial Hall to use, so that will definitely make it look different" Smith also said the focus of the conference might switch and it could be Rural Talks to Urban, or Rural Talks to Innovation or Rural immigration One of the final panel discussions at last week's Rural Talks to Rural conference held in Blyth dealt with rural Ontario and whether or not rural communities are welcoming to new immigrants. The discussion was held at Trinity Anglican Church. From left: Lena Gahwl, a second -year student at the University of Western Ontario; Oliver Pryce, a teacher and Gemma Mendez -Smith of the Four County Labour Market Planning Board. (Dennyscottphoto) Kicking it off Wayne Caldwell, a native of East Wawanosh, was one of the first speakers at last week's Rural Talks to Rural conference in Blyth. Caldwell is an expert on rural issues from his time at the University of Guelph. (Dennyscottphoto) RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE • CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENT Central Huron Secondary School www.amdsb.ca/CHSS Clinton, Ontario Canada Please Join Us for our annual Awards Assembly at 9 am On Friday October 7 At Central Huron Secondary school Commencement Exercises at 7 pm Friday October 7, 2016 At Central Huron Secondary School This invitation is extended to all our graduates, their proud parents, relatives, and cheering friends. Graduates, Award Winners and Presenters - please arrive at the school no later than 6:30 p.m. We'vi resery d a seat just forYou!