Council supports community groups in the Tweed

11 September 2020

Sponsorship grant recipients put funds to good use

A dedicated group of volunteers are seeing the fruits of their labour result in the transformation of a derelict plot in the heart of Murwillumbah into a productive and appealing community garden.

The Murwillumbah Community Garden is one of the recipients of the 2020 Tweed Shire Council Community Sponsorship Policy which provides funds annually for activities and projects that benefit the health and wellbeing of Tweed Shire residents.

Run by the Tweed Valley Rural and Community Advancement Co-operative Ltd, the garden project started in 2016 and is nearing its official opening later this year.

Council has allocated $9000 from this year’s Sponsorship Policy to the Murwillumbah Community Garden, which will go towards a much-needed retaining wall.

The garden features vegetable beds, an orchard, a rainforest riparian area and a haven for flora and fauna.

Secretary Jenny Unwin said Council funding, along with support from many trades and local businesses, has ensured this project will become a memorable part of Murwillumbah's fabric for the whole community to enjoy.

“We'd been holding a series of monthly events pre COVID-19 and it's our hope to offer further workshops, using physical distancing, as the space is great for wellbeing, mental health and just being able to share the joy of growing food locally and sustainably for the whole community.”

The gardens are open for members by appointment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Council grants are presented through the Community Sponsorship Policy which aims to provide financial assistance by way of a sponsorship agreement to local community groups and organisations. A total of $39,690 was endorsed by Council to be allocated across 10 groups as part of this year’s funding round.

Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Katie Milne, congratulated the successful organisations in what has been a challenging year.

"The recipients of Council's Community Sponsorship Policy funding should be commended for continuing with projects and operations during the pandemic,” she said.

“COVID-19 has caused major disruptions to so many people but these groups have shown that there are still ways to become involved to benefit the community and our precious environment.

"Thank you for all your hard work and your ability to adapt and we hope your efforts continue to inspire other organisations through this period and into the future.”

Other recipients of Council’s Community Sponsorship Policy grants for 2020 were:

• Blind and Vision Impaired Support Group NSW Far North Coast Inc. received $1500 to take vision-impaired people in the Tweed out for lunch twice a month.
• Cabarita Boardriders Club Inc. received $4000 to install surfing etiquette signs and two monuments acknowledging the significance of the Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Surfing Reserve.
• Mem’s Soul Food Productions Inc. received $7200 to deliver a 10-week mentoring and practical skills development program for girls to learn valuable life skills and set goals for the future.
• Tweed, Byron and Ballina Community Transport Inc. received $3960 to deliver a six-month trial providing monthly men’s social outings.
• Tweed Theatre Company Inc. received $1500 to fund Public Liability and Volunteer Workers Insurance and upgrade personal sound equipment.
• Tyalgum Community Hall Association Inc. will use $3635 of funding received to install a reverse-cycle air conditioning unit to improve the amenity of the meeting rooms in the Tyalgum Community Hall.
• Tweed Valley Woodcraft Association Inc. received $2000 to purchase and install an automated defibrillation unit which will be installed at the Murwillumbah clubhouse in case of a cardiac emergency.
• Tyalgum District Community Association Inc. received $1835 to run a first aid training program for 15 Tyalgum locals with instruction on first aid including the use of defibrillators.
• Young Farmers Connect Inc. will use $5600 of funding received to run educational and community connection programs aimed at fostering the next generation of farmers on the Tweed.

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Caption: Murwillumbah Community Garden volunteers work with fencing contractor Chris McDonald in constructing a new retaining wall funded through a Tweed Shire Council Community Sponsorship Policy grant.