Two young stars to share in $4K Council Small Change grants

Published on 09 April 2020

Two young, shining stars - Mia Leilanie Green and Anoushka Blake - will each receive $2000 funding for their projects as part of Byron Shire Council’s 2020 Small Change Grants program.

Ms Green’s project is a six week program for the Shire’s LGBTQIA+ youth and Ms Blake will develop the first Northern Rivers magazine for young people, by young people.

Winners of the Council grants program were announced this morning by Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson, and coincide with the final day of Youth Week celebrations around Australia.

The Mayor praised the two young women for their outstanding applications and the valuable contribution their projects would make to the wider community.

“In these unprecedented times it is important to have some good news like this that recognises the overwhelmingly positive contributions our young people make to our community and celebrates their hard work and achievements – they are our future,” Mayor Richardson said.

“Congratulations to both Mia and Anoushka – I hope the grant funding assists in realising the dreams you have for your projects and I thank you for having the vision and leadership to get involved and have a go,” he said.

Mia Leilanie Green’s project is called ‘Rainbow Youth – there is always a place for us’ and will be a six-week program aimed at helping LGBTQIA+ youth of the Byron Shire, providing a safe, friendly environment for sharing and collaboration. Due to COVID-19, the group is planned to start later in the year, giving young people the chance to express themselves, their emotions and their ideas.  This project is being auspiced by the Byron Youth Centre.

Anoushka Blake’s project is the Northern Rivers Youth Magazine, auspiced by Byron Bay Community Association.  It involves development of a magazine for young people by young people including articles, poetry, events, opportunities, campaigns, ideas, concerns, artwork and designs under the guidance of professional magazine editors. A core team of young people will be involved in all levels of management and production of the magazine and during its development, the team will receive support from other magazines, businesses and organisations.

Byron Bay Community Association proudly auspices programs and projects with a youth focus recognising the important role young people contribute in our Community.

Council’s Small Change Grants Program supports young people to participate in community life by giving them the opportunity to have a voice, joining in and gaining experience in leadership roles. The program is aimed at young people aged between 15 and 25 who live in the Byron Shire. The program is run annually with applications due in April each year.

For more information about the Small Change Grants Program see Council’s website:

https://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Community/Supporting-communities/Grants-and-funding/Small-Change-Grants-Program-for-Young-People.

For media enquiries contact Council’s Community and Cultural Development Coordinator, Deb Stafford, on 6626 7088.