title: From Outpost to Community: Strengthening support for the Australasian digital preservation community through regional presence
creators: Jaye Weatherburn Alexis Tindall Michaela Hart
abstract: The digital preservation workforce is dispersed across organizations, roles, and the world. The value of grass-roots communities of practice and membership organizations to support digital preservation work are evident with the success of such initiatives as the Australasia Preserves regional community of practice supporting practitioners in the Australasian region, and the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC), an international charity that works to secure our digital legacy. With DPC members dispersed across the globe – and across time zones – engagement can be challenging. In March 2020 the DPC and the University of Melbourne commenced a partnership to embark on a two-year investigative project (2020-2021), to establish a staffed office improving access to the DPC’s program of activities for Australasian DPC members and more broadly, digital preservation practitioners in the region such as those participating in the Australasia Preserves community of practice. In early 2022 the DPC announced that this partnership would continue with expansion of the DPC Australasia remit and staffing presence following successful project outcomes. This continuation, the thriving DPC Australasia Stakeholder Group, and the ongoing development of a sustainable business model are undeniable indicators of the success of this project. 
keywords: engagement community capacity partnerships collaboration