Nine inspiring community projects roll out thanks to Council funding

Published on 10 November 2021

A total of $39,200 funding has been awarded to nine community projects as part of Byron Shire Council’s annual Community Initiatives Program for 21/22.

The funding was awarded August 2021 and the nine recipient organisations have been putting their small grants to great use.

“It is very satisfying to hear about how Council’s annual Community Initiatives funding is rolling out and the knock-on effects these grants deliver for so many people,” Council’s Project Officer (Collaboration Lead), Dr Claire Baker said.

“The Community Initiatives Program is inspiring some fantastic ideas and projects that will enrich people’s lives in so many ways,” Dr Baker said.

For the 2021/22 year, grants of around $5000 are assisting with nine inspiring community projects:

Brunswick Heads Progress Association – creation of Cultural Walks and Artist Workshop with opportunities for Community & Artists to connect to Country through a Cultural Walk and Workshop by Arakwal Bundjalung woman Delta Kay sharing local culture and history of Brunswick Heads. $5000 awarded.

Brunswick Valley Landcare Inc – purchase of better equipment to increase BVLs ability to maintain the regions diverse vegetation, sub-tropical rainforests, sclerophyll forests, coastal heathlands, beaches and dunes, and pristine waters. $4,848.00 awarded.

Byron Community Centre – creation of the new ‘Let’s Talk’ series which is an accessible community-centred engagement program which aims to: Educate; Inform; Inspire; Entertain; Connect; Provide a safe space to share our diverse ideas. $5,000.00 awarded.

Eureka Public Hall Association – upgrade of the toilet to complete a total hall interior upgrade.  $5000 awarded.

Federal School of Arts Association Inc – long-term management of mould treatment including purchase of dehumidifier to ensure the facility can continue to provide its range of social, cultural and wellbeing opportunities to the local community. Awarded $4,785.00.

Mullum Cares Incorporated – providing waste free catering solutions for events across the Shire.  $4,990 awarded.

Natural Death Care Centre – running Community Death and Dying Information Day with key service providers to bring the community together to discover and learn about what’s available pre-need and to make a difference through all stages of end of life. $1,500 awarded.

Queer Family Inc - creation of a Referral Database and Community of Practice of safe, professional, and qualified queer and queer affirming counsellors to refer local LGBTQIA+ people to via QIRP (Queer Information & Referral Project). $5,000.00 awarded.

Spaghetti Circus Inc. – continuation of circus classes scholarship program for children aged between 12 and 18 years old from low social‐economic, Indigenous, and disadvantaged backgrounds. $3,441.00 awarded.

While the Community Initiatives funding program has concluded for 2021-22, community groups are encouraged to find out more about Council’s Community Initiatives Program any time of the year on Council’s website.

Community groups must be incorporated organisations or auspiced by an incorporated organisation to apply.  For more information see Council’s Community Initiatives Program policy and supporting documents at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/grants

Pictured is Clare from Brunswick Valley Landcare