Four hundred koala-habitat trees have been planted, a program to reduce isolation during COVID-19 helped those in need in Bangalow, and a new kitchen has been installed at Eureka Hall – these are just three of nine inspiring projects delivered over the last financial year, thanks to Council's Community Initiatives grant fund.
Over the last 12 months, nine community groups shared $44,750 funding to deliver selected projects.
"It is very rewarding for Council to provide these small community-focussed grants and watch the benefits multiply for so many people," Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon said.
"Despite, and maybe because of the challenges of the pandemic, the community projects funded through the Community Initiatives program have provided a real boost to these grass roots organisations," he said.
The full list of programs delivered through Council's Community Initiatives fund 20/21 includes:
• Bangalow Koalas' Community Wildlife Corridor project was funded $5000 to coordinate the planting of 400 trees as native habitat for koalas. The project facilitated understanding of the need for koala conservation and allowed the community to directly participate in conservation efforts by planting and having a hands-on approach.
• Bangalow Lions Club was funded $5000 to support the BASICS program (Bangalow Addressing Social Isolation during COVID-19) to increase connectedness in the community. Members of the Bangalow Lions Club and the Bangalow Men's Shed distributed firewood for the elderly, provided bus transport for seniors and provided meals for anyone in need.
• Brunswick Valley Landcare was funded $5000 for the Take a Walk in the Park project to increase visitation of Maslen Arboretum by Byron Shire residents and visitors. The work improved the amenity of the area and helped inform visitors of the unique native flora of our region through improved signage and self-directed walks.
• Bunyarra Culture Collective was funded $5000 to facilitate a number of events to celebrate NAIDOC and share culture with the wider community.
• Byron Multicultural Inc was funded $4750 to undertake a survey of the Byron Bay Shire CALD community. The survey has been conducted and volunteers are working with members of the Social and Cultural Planning team at BSC to analyse and report on the results.
• Eureka Hall was funded $5000 to replace the ageing kitchen to ensure Eureka Hall can provide a safer, more inclusive and more accessible facility that will ensure the continuing viability of the hall. There has been a noticeable increase in enquiries and use of the hall due to the new facilities.
• Significant Trees In Byron Shire was funded $5000 to develop a significant tree register to highlight and verify trees for acknowledgement and protection. This project is ongoing.
• Spaghetti Circus was funded $5000 to create a scholarship program for children aged between 12 and 18 years old from low social-economic, indigenous and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Queer Family was funded $5000 to support Queer Family and the new Queer Peers project by funding two major events for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. The group hosted two very successful community-building events.
Representatives from Spaghetti Circus said the highlight of the experience was "the excitement, joy, enthusiasm and positive attitude of the scholarship participants paired with the relief, disbelief, gratitude and delight of the participant's parents. This emotional response to such an opportunity was a beautiful, rewarding experience for us and bonding experience for them."
The organisers from Queer Family Inc made great use of the funding and said it was hard to pinpoint just one highlight. "Queer Family are so grateful to Byron Shire Council for their support in enabling us to put on two fabulous major events for Christmas and IDAHOBIT."
"Bringing the queer community together and witnessing their joy at having access to such a supportive, inclusive, and safe, queer-affirming space is wonderful. As is knowing that the positive impact on people's lives through the power of community and connection is immense."
"Thank you for providing us with this opportunity, it genuinely changes and saves lives."
