Communities host successful Community Recovery Contribution Program events

13 May 2021

Bega Valley Shire Council’s Community Recovery Contribution Program has contributed almost $54,000 to support 23 significant and meaningful events and activities across the shire.

“Through the program, we were able to provide community organisations with up to $2,500 to go towards recovery activities for communities affected by the Black Summer bushfires,” Council’s Director of Community, Environment and Planning, Dr Alice Howe said.

“Activities held have been able to create a positive impact for local communities and in some cases, the local environment.”

A cinema night featuring the Australian film classic, The Castle and the Towamba Hope Music Festival were held in January. More than 150 people attended the festival, which offered a variety of music, woodchopping, chainsaw, slab-making and log chop demonstrations, dance workshops and a jumping castle.

The Murrah Hall Preservation Association held a free family friendly music and food event in February, which attracted more than 230 people. Local band Scaramouche and Northern Beaches band, Thunderfox entertained the masses, while volunteers handed out beautifully prepared and presented BBQ-based meals, snacks and drinks.

The GoFenceMe dinner for farmers, their partners and families at the Bemboka Showgrounds in March was well attended despite the rain. Many had endured financial hardship and emotional strain over the previous year and had not had the opportunity to catch up with one another or share a meal. The dinner also provided the opportunity for GoFenceMe to report on the work of the charity, which raised $225,000 to purchase fencing materials for farmers.

Imagine Eden Group’s Big Blue Easter weekend boasted market stalls, a live band, car boot sale, Easter activities for children, craft and woodturning demonstrations, raffles and prizes. It got locals and visitors out and about, reconnecting them with the community and enhancing their wellbeing. First aid, resilience and mental health training was organised for event volunteers.

Jirribitti Dreaming held a three-hour Healing with Country workshop that shared Aboriginal culturally-based ways of calming anxiety and building resilience. All participants learnt cultural ways of calming the nervous system by connecting with country in a meaningful way and non-Aboriginal participants were able to better connect with and understand Aboriginal culture and ways of healing.

The Bega Multicultural Centre held a Family Fun Day at Potoroo Palace, which was a first-time experience for many of the members. The consensus after the outing was it gave everyone a sense of belonging and inclusion, and some of the children made new friends.

“So many of our communities came up with impressive recovery and resilience activities that really met their community’s needs,” Dr Howe said.

“We are particularly pleased we could fund these important activities and events to support the post-bushfire healing process across the shire.”