Happy to Help (Mayor’s Latest Column 7 July 2018)

I was really pleased to be able to announce last week that another eleven community groups are set to celebrate a windfall from Council’s Community Capital Infrastructure Grants.

Lately I’ve been seeing many of the projects funded by the grants programme in previous years coming to fruition and it’s been heartening to see what a huge difference they are making to the community on many levels.

I’ve only very recently had the pleasure of turning on new lights that we helped finance at Sawtell and Westside tennis clubs.

These are not massive clubs with huge memberships, but it shows that – with commitment and determination – club organisers and members can achieve great things.

In case you don’t know, Council’s Community Capital Infrastructure Grants offer funds to not-for-profit organisations wanting to build new or refurbish existing public facilities, in consultation with Council. Each group has to provide match funding for the proposed projects in the form of options such as cash, in-kind labour or materials.

The eleven latest groups to benefit will receive a total of $266,050 in grants to help fund projects worth $701,880.

And this year there was a small amount of money left which we decided was best spent on upgraded facilities at Coramba Hall, Toormina Community Centre and Lowanna Community Hall, as well as new signage at Coramba Hall, Boambee East Community Centre, Ayrshire Park Sportsground, Nana Glen Showground and Equestrian, and Eastern Dorrigo Showground and Community Hall.

Well done everyone.

Everyone Welcome at NAIDOC Week Celebrations

NAIDOC Week 2018 will celebrate the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made – and continue to make – to our communities, our families, our rich history and to our nation.

Under the theme – Because of her, we can! – NAIDOC Week 2018 will be held nationally from Sunday, July 8, until Sunday, July 15.

Council and members of the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee will celebrate with the Official Community Flag Raising Ceremony and Morning Tea at the Council Chambers on Monday, July 9, from 9.30am. NAIDOC Week also gives us the chance to acknowledge the achievements and hard work of the Aboriginal community through the Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Awards.

Every year the crowds at the Flag Raising get bigger and bigger. Everyone from the community is invited, so feel free to come along and join in the celebrations on Monday.