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Byron Shire
June 27, 2026

Hotel Bruns distributes cash

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Kyle Lionheart performing for the crowd at the Hotel Bruns Community Day last weekend.

On Saturday 27 August, Hotel Bruns held its inaugural Community Day, to celebrate the $52,800 raised by the hotel and community, for seven Brunswick-based local causes through the Publinc Communities membership program.

Publinc Communities launched at Bruns just over three months ago and has since helped raise over $52,800, with a kick-starting contribution of $50,000 from Hotel Bruns. It is the beginning of Hotel Bruns’ commitment to bring people together to make a difference across our Northern Rivers region, through local community groups (aka Publinc Peers) nominated by customers.

‘As new custodians, it is important to us that Hotel Bruns continues to make a positive contribution as part of the Bruns community. Through Publinc Communities, our customers have the power to shape how, together, we make a difference, by choosing where our collective contributions go,’ said Andrew McWhirter, Venue Manager at Hotel Bruns.

The Community Day was a chance for the Bruns community to meet and connect with the seven Publinc Peers, revel in live music headlined by Kyle Lionhart, enjoy family-friendly activities, and see beautiful live art by Sharni Montgomery.

Who received money?

Each of the Publinc Peers who have received these funds were at the Community Day on Saturday, to chat with the community and share how they are using these funds to support their causes.

Marine Rescue Brunswick will put their donations towards the latest search and rescue equipment on their rescue vessel. ‘Thanks to the generous donation from Hotel Brunswick and the Brunswick Heads community, this will now happen sooner than planned,’ said Jonathan Wilcock from Marine Rescue Brunswick.

Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club will purchase PPE and equipment for their emergency callout team, who respond to after-hours callouts, floods and assisting other emergency agencies in the area.

Brunswick Valley Bulldogs Junior AFL Club will be purchasing new jerseys for their players and growing their club’s size.

Mullumbimby Giants Rugby League Club, Brunswick Heads Breakfast Club, Brunswick Valley Rescue Squad and Brunswick Heads Visitor Centre will put their donations toward delivering the services they provide to the community, free of charge.

How does Publinc work?

Publinc Communities works when people (e.g. pub patrons) ask the staff how to sign up at Hotel Bruns and become a Publinc Communities member. For every $1 spent in venue, members receive 1 Community Point and 1 Publinc Point (as well as other perks and opportunities to connect with their pub and community).

The Community Points can be pledged to any participating community group either at the Pub, or via the Publinc Communities website. There are currently $11,600 in unpledged funds, and Hotel Bruns is encouraging all members who have unpledged funds to pledge their community points and help make a difference for our town, today.

By this mechanism, Publinc Communities helps people turn good times at the pub into positive impact, supporting the local causes that are important to them.



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