Pride of Australia: Tania making a difference

POA: TANIA Brookes takes great pride in keeping Tasmanians connected.

Tania Brookes is the Administrator of the Community Exchange Network Tasmania which runs a community exchange network operating throughout the state where people trade their goods, services and skills with one another without money. Pictured at Devonport

TANIA Brookes takes great pride in keeping Tasmanians connected.

As the administrator of the Community Exchange Network Tasmania, Ms Brookes ensures that goods and services are transitioned smoothly between 365 people statewide.

The Tasmanian branch of the global network is spread across 10 sub branches and is run entirely by volunteers.

“CENT is the only exchange operating state wide and is part of the global Community Exchange System,” Ms Brookes said.

“[It’s] a community-based exchange system that provides a platform for its users to exchange their goods and services, both locally and remotely without money.”

A variety of products and services have been offered by the program since it started in the state in 2013. It has included everything from hiring a DJ or a horse float through to massage therapy and lessons on making sauerkraut.

Participants in the program sign up to a website and exchange goods and services through a credit-based system. Credits are earned by providing goods or services to other traders with the ability also to gift, share, barter, swap and loan.

“The more items a trader can offer the more they increase their opportunities for trading with others,” Ms Brookes said.

Credit and debit limits apply to all users of the system to ensure that there is an equal amount of giving and receiving.

Ms Brookes performs the role of administrator part-time and balances it with her other work and family commitments,

For her efforts, she has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal in the Community Spirit category.

“I was surprised to hear of my nomination,” she said.

“I feel privileged and proud to have this opportunity to help my fellow Tasmanians and will continue to do so into the future no matter the outcome.”

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