Bill Armstrong Book Launch

Left to Right - Anne Martin, Director, Community First Development, Bill Armstrong AO, Stephanie Harvey, CEO, Community First Development & Ian Hamm, Director, Community First Development.

Community First Development celebrated the launch of the book, Everything and Nothing, a biography of Bill Armstrong AO, by author Peter Britton at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

The title ‘Everything and Nothing’ is from an old community development technique – being everything and nothing. Done right, the critical work you do looks like nothing, it’s invisible, it’s in the background. But it can also change everything, it can catalyse people and communities to take their own action for change.

It was a wonderful event, with notable speakers in attendance including former WA Governor and Community First Development Ambassador, Lieutenant General The Honourable John Sanderson AC, who launched the book, Ian Hamm, Director of Community First Development as MC, and Stephanie Harvey CEO, Community First Development. Peter Britton and Bill Armstrong both spoke about their perspectives and Bill and Peter signed copies of the book for eager attendees.

We were delighted to host special guests, Elders and community partners, and we are grateful for your support and being a part of this memorable occasion.

It was an honour to host the launch of this book, to acknowledge Bill, for his lifetime contribution to international community development and his years of development experience and learning to support the shaping of Community First Development to the success it is today.

Books are available for purchase at the National Library of Australia shop or by emailing Bill at: bilmarg@bigpond.com 

"....all this talk about Closing the Gap. Of course it is important that people are educated and have health services. But the gap that has got to close, as non-Indigenous peoples, is the gap in our understanding of First Nations peoples' culture. And when we start to understand that and listen to them and hear what they have to say, the other gaps may be easier to close." - Bill Armstrong