This time last year, a mass rally in the streets of Tecoma was just one of the tactics the local community used to fight the construction of a McDonald’s drive-through restaurant. Gnomes, music, community gardens, blockades and roof angels were just a few of the creative tools the local community used to make their voices heard. By April 2014, McDonald’s was built. The community may have lost the battle but did they win the war?

The first in a series of exhibitions that investigates Grassroots Democracy, M.A.D.E. will explore this recent community protest. M.A.D.E is interested in the issues that galvanise a community, the tactics that are used and what are the consequences of that protest.

Tecoma is a town of around 2000 citizens in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. It is a small town with a love for peace and quiet and picturesque landscape; often nothing goes past 2 stories unless it’s a tree.

The temporary exhibition will explore the tools and tactics used by an iconic community protest to make their voices heard. M.A.D.E will give visitors a chance to see what happened behind the scenes, to understand the tools and tactics of the community campaign and to view objects from the protest. Photo and video documentation from the campaign will showcase the creative steps an activated and engaged community took to make their voices heard.