Cupcake decorating at Tathra – (from left) Kelly Eastwood (Eastwood's Deli & Cooking School), Hayley Reynolds (Fortem Australia) and Adam Wiggins (Tathra RFS Captain) with their cupcake decorating champions.
Bega Valley Shire Council has partnered with Fortem Australia and COORDINARE to provide a free, community-led event to celebrate the Tathra community's spirit, resilience and mateship.
The Tathra Strong Community Gathering will be held at the Tathra Fire Station from 2.30pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 6 March.
"The bushfires of Tathra and surrounds reshaped the lives of many, and we learnt a lot working with residents who were impacted and saw the strength and resilience of the Tathra community," Council's Community Development Officer, Mary Kite said.
"That experience shaped our response to the Black Summer bushfires, through understanding the inherent resilience of the Bega Valley community."
Ms Kite said the gathering was also an opportunity to recognise the important role local Rural Fire Service volunteers and their families play in our community.
Fortem Australia supports the wellbeing and mental fitness of local first responder families. Connection is at the heart of Fortem's programs, with studies showing it plays a protective role in maintaining wellbeing in the face of repeated exposure to stressors.
Fortem has been delivering free wellbeing activities to first responder families in the Bega Valley for some time now, including cupcake decorating and the Swimrise group (Tathra), fitness classes (Kalaru), cooking classes (Bermagui), kayak tours (Kiah) and farm visits (Burragate).
COORDINARE, the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Networks (PHN), funds programs that support informal health and wellbeing activities and social connections within the community, through the Australia Government's PHN Program.
The Tathra Strong Community Gathering will showcase catering from local businesses and celebrate the voices of the town's youngest members.
"In the lead-up to this event, we are working with local preschool and primary school children on a range of activities that will help them share what they love most about their town," Ms Kite said.
"After what has been a challenging time for many, this event will provide a way for the residents of Tathra and surrounds to connect, reflect and create positive memories moving forward."
Fortem's Community Engagement Coordinator, Hayley Reynolds said social connection plays an incredibly important role in wellbeing, on an individual, family and community level.
"This event is such an exciting opportunity for the Tathra community to get together and celebrate the ways we work together and support each other – and, more importantly, unwind, catch up and have some fun!" Ms Reynolds said.
Activities planned for the gathering include:
- live music
- kids activities
- community displays
- Tiny Zoo from 3pm
- local catering including BBQ dinner
- outdoor cinema from 8pm.
As a free COVID Safe event, tickets to the Tathra Strong Community Gathering can be booked via Eventbrite.
To find out more about Fortem Australia in the Bega Valley, head to www.fortemaustralia.org.au
