After enduring years of relentless rain that washed away the colours of their playground, the Teven-Tintenbar Primary School P&C is set to bring vibrancy back to its play area, thanks to a community-driven grant from the #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program.
The much-needed funding will be used to repaint the playground’s stencils, which have faded over the years due to persistent downpours. The project aims to make the area a more engaging and enjoyable space for students.
Samantha Wistaff, a representative of the Teven-Tintenbar P&C said, ‘Our playground has seen better days – with all the rain we’ve had over the years washing away our bright stencils. This grant is a wonderful opportunity for us to restore that liveliness and give our kids a bright space where they can play and learn.
‘We couldn’t be more appreciative of this funding from the Greater, and we’re all so excited about the win.’
Ms Wistaff said the local community’s involvement was pivotal. ‘We absolutely couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from our community. Our kids even took to the local markets, campaigning for votes. Their hard work paid off, and it’s something that everyone here is proud of.
‘As a small school with limited resources, every bit of support makes a huge difference.’
In addition to the playground makeover, the P&C will use part of the funds to support their school choir. The donation will cover transportation costs, enabling the choir to visit local retirement homes during the Christmas season to spread holiday cheer through carolling.
‘As a small school on the hill, it’s challenging to get our kids out into the community without volunteer support. This grant will not only help us restore our playground but also bring joy to elderly residents during the festive season,’ said Ms Wistaff.
Local challenges
Commenting on the program’s impact, Greater Bank Ballina Branch Manager, Angela Storck, highlighted the importance of supporting local organisations.
‘The Northern Rivers has faced its share of challenges in recent years. The Greater Community Funding Program was created to help local organisations that are at the heart of our communities,’ she said.
‘We’re incredibly proud to support the Teven-Tintenbar Primary School P&C in their efforts to revitalise their playground and bring joy to both students and local residents. This project is a perfect example of how community-driven initiatives can make a lasting impact.
‘We encourage all community groups to participate in our funding program and continue to uplift our region together,’ said Ms Storck.
The entrants for the August round of the #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program (where there’s another $3,000 up for grabs), are Norths Baseball Club, Dunoon Public School P&C and Northern Rivers Roller Derby.
Voting is open until 5.00pm Wednesday 28 August at https://www.greater.com.au/greaternorthernrivers. Community groups can register their interest in being part of the program at this site.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
