A share of $60,000 will help several projects do some really great stuff and today the Southern Cross Credit Union (SCCU) has announced the successful recipients of their 2020 Community Grants.
The successful recipients of this year’s program are families, community groups and small business.
After opening up the program beyond Community Groups, the local Credit Union received a record-breaking 175 applications and over 5000 community votes, generating more public interest than ever before.
The applications had to articulate their plans against the 2020 themes of ‘taking back momentum’ and ‘creating a better future’ with 59 finalists proceeding to voting stage and an extra $10,000 being added by SCCU partner American Express.
Stuart Edwards, CEO of Southern Cross Credit Union commented said they are incredibly proud to have been able to increase the investment into the program this year especially at a time when people really needed it the most, and at the same time open our support to a broader variety of causes.
‘I would like to thank everyone who submitted their application and for the tremendous work you are all doing to support our community and the place we call home.’
Project from the successful recipients span everything from green technology and sustainability, to young leadership and providing for those in need.
And the winners are:
Bodhi Glow – Amma’s Garden
Bodhi Glow is a Wilsons Creek local farm sanctuary used to rescue and home unwanted animals. The SCCU Grant will be used to introduce Amma’s Garden, an acre of land that will be used to grow fruit and vegetables without chemicals. The produce will be used to help feed those in need, with plans to run a weekly community kitchen providing free food and care packages.
Young Warrior Leadership Project
Young Warrior Leadership Program is a four day camp for 11-16 year old young men and women: based on indigenous cultures – an initiation process marking the transition from child to adult. It’s a safe environment
for young people to test themselves, in confidence, personal leadership, emotional literacy, and teamwork. The SCCU Grant will cover 50% of the cost, providing scholarships for up to 22 young warriors hoping to participate.
GCB Environmental – Green Technology
GCB Environmental want to establish EnviroSPEARS as a member of the Enterprise Lab at Southern Cross University, and introduce the EnviroSPEARS technology to the Northern Rivers. EnviroSPEARS is a green technology designed for remediation of contaminants and other chlorinated toxins from soil and sediments, a proven technology developed by NASA. The EnviroSPEARS technology will support local agribusiness by providing a green alternative to remediation of previously unusable farm land by removing harmful DDT from within the soil.
Georgia & Gisela Conechado – Fundraiser for WIRES and Friends of the Koala
Georgia and Gisela are a local family who were deeply concerned about the impact our recent bushfires had on our wildlife. They wanted to do something positive and have since created beautiful watercolour art works that
will be used for fundraising. The cards will be printed and sold in local businesses to raise funds to support Friends of the Koala and WIRES Northern Rivers with their great work. Eighty per cent of proceeds will be donated to the charities and 20 per cent will be invested back into the project, making it self-sustainable and future focused.
Precious Plastic Northern Rivers
Precious Plastic Northern Rivers are looking to create a community-access plastic recycling centre. Instead of going into landfill or being sent overseas, the idea is to have plastic waste recycled in the Byron Shire and provided to local designers and craftspeople as a raw material for innovative use. Turning cheap raw materials into new, beautiful and useful creations. The SCCU Grant will cover the cost of purchasing three machines that help shred, melt, and recycle plastic collected from our local region.
Pottsville Beach Community Hall Inc – Christmas Lunch
Pottsville Beach Community Hall Inc hosts the PBNC cook up team who collect rescued food weekly; prepare, cook and distribute healthy ‘homemade’ meals to people who need it the most. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, without the installation of a commercial grade dishwasher for the hall, the annual Christmas lunch could not take place. However, the SCCU Grant will allow them to host the Christmas lunch this year and get the PBNC cook up team back in the kitchen.
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