Huonville community project secures funding

At the Pitch and Vote Night held on 21 April, local residents and businesses pitched their ideas for projects to improve Huonville and make it an even more vibrant, welcoming and exciting place to live.

The Huonville Pitch and Vote project is delivered by the Huon Valley Council and the Town Team Movement, with the pitch night providing an opportunity for community members to show their support for local projects and help make them happen.

The audience of community members listened to the four pitches and cast their votes on their favourite project idea. The most popular project would receive up to $1,500 to become a reality.

“All presenters delivered good pitches and gained strong interest from the audience,” said Huon Valley Council Acting Mayor Sally Doyle. “But we are delighted to announce that the winning project was a community garden to be located outside the Huonville Library, pitched by Fiona Ring.”

The project includes two raised garden beds, located at the back of the library, that local people can use to grow vegetables and/or flowers.

Gardening and social interaction are two activities proven to be good for mental health, and Fiona hopes the project will provide benefits for people of all ages in the local community.

“There was a positive and collaborative atmosphere on the night and everyone had enjoyable time,” said Cr Doyle.

“You could feel the excitement in the room as people discussed the ideas and possibilities. I think people are really looking forward to the next Pitch and Vote night.

“Thank you to Council’s Community Services team and to Dean from the Town Team Movement for the work you are putting in to bring local people together and support them to make great things happen in the places we live.

“Thank you also to the staff at the Grand Hotel who served up lovely meals for everyone who attended.

“Momentum is building in the Huon Valley as people make connections and – with the optional support of the Town Team Movement – work together to develop plans and make community projects happen.”

All proceeds from ticket sales went to the Town Teams project funds to support future Huonville projects.

Council is excited to bring the Town Team movement to more townships across the Huon Valley in 2021. Stay tuned on the Huon Valley Council website, Facebook, Instagram and eNews (sign up now).

Feature image (left to right): Dean Cracknell from the Town Team Movement with Huonville Library staff members Jen Broinski, Fiona Ring, Cindy Carr and Anniee Hyde.