Seed Northern Rivers is celebrating the power of community with a free event, ‘From The Ground Up’ on Thursday 5 March, at the Mullum Gardens EcoHub, awarding the first round of grants from the Seed Giving Circle.
This is a chance to gather in a much-loved place, celebrate the launch of Mullumbimby’s newest community stage, and honour the people and projects growing regenerative change from the ground up across the Northern Rivers, in a relaxed evening of music, poetry and storytelling.
From the Ground Up marks the first round of the Seed Giving Circle grants program, a community-led funding model in which locals pool contributions and collectively vote on which grassroots climate and environmental initiatives receive support.
Members contribute from as little as $10 a week, creating a shared fund that backs regenerative projects across the Northern Rivers.
Grant winners
Three initiatives will receive grants this round:
- The Bundjalung Bush Food Alliance — a Bundjalung-led initiative to create a native bush food nursery in Mullumbimby. The nursery will create training and employment opportunities for Indigenous women and youth, as well as retail sales to the public, supporting the wider planting and use of our native plants and bush foods. It is a partnership between three Bundjalung organisations: The Returning Indigenous Charity (Ella Noah Bancroft)/Karkalla (Mindy Woods) and Country as Teacher (Delta Kay).
- Local Address — advancing regenerative regional building through low-carbon, locally sourced materials.
- Save Wallum — protecting the rare and culturally significant Wallum ecosystem in Brunswick Heads.
Strong culture
Seed Northern Rivers Director Techa Beaumont says the initiative reflects the Northern Rivers’ strong culture of collective action.
‘This region continues to face environmental pressures, but it’s also a place where people step up for each other and for the land.
‘The Seed Giving Circle allows the community to pool resources and directly back local solutions. It’s community-led, fiercely local and grounded in care,’ she said.
The evening will also officially launch the Lilypad Stage — a new platform for music, storytelling, education and community gatherings at the Gardens, designed and built by Chris Kinzel.
The stage was proudly funded by the NSW government in association with the Australian Government. A newly completed mobility-access pathway means the stage is now fully accessible and ready to serve the wider community.
‘The Gardens have long been a hub for connection and collaboration,’ said Techa Beaumont. ‘The Lilypad Stage creates a space where community life can unfold – from music and storytelling to education and dialogue.’
From The Ground Up is happening on Thursday, 5 March from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, at the Mullum Gardens EcoHub (Mullum Community Gardens), 156 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby.
All are welcome. Free tickets and more information available here.
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