Creating a community connection

A NEW Surf Coast resident was inspired to start her own community group as a way of making new friends in the area, and it is thriving just two months on.

Emily Hazell moved to Torquay in 2021 and struggled to find her people; friends who she could be outdoors and in nature with.

Earlier this year, she created a group she could go hiking with. Since then it has caught attention across the region, with Facebook posts garnering hundreds of comments and her first event attracting 50 people.

“I think a lot of people are isolated and lonely because they moved down to the Surf Coast for nature and to get out of the city, but because it’s a pretty quiet town and area, it’s hard to meet people, especially in your 30s,” Ms Hazell said.

“I made it a really no-pressure thing, but the people who are showing up are giving a lot. The first one had over 50 people and then we had 100 people, so I just feel like it’s gaining really quickly.”

The hikes are family friendly and designed as a space for people to make different connections in the community.

People are encouraged to head along even if they have nobody to go with and interact with others throughout the day.

Ms Hazell said about 20 to 30 per cent of the participants have been attending on their own, with connections starting to form.

“Already there’s little friendships and now they’re coming together, they didn’t know anyone the first time, but now the people that come every time are coming together.”

Ms Hazell said other groups she’s seen around all have a strong focus on the one activity, compared to hers where it’s focused on purely meeting people and making friends.

“Everyone who moves to this area, they want to get outdoors and they are quite health conscious they like connecting with nature, it’s just meeting all the people that came down here.”

People are encouraged to turnup to the events, even if they don’t have anyone to attend with.

Along with the hikes the group also meets at a local café each walk, going through some meditation and breathwork to ease the nerves before heading off and returning to the café.

As the group continues to grow, Ms Hazell has plans to add extra activities to the offerings, with trivia night and a round robin tennis match on the horizon.

The group’s next hike will take place on June 8 along the Surf Coast Walk, meeting and leaving from Salty Dog Café.

To RSVP and for more information, head to junetorquayhike.eventbrite.com