back to home
Stories about recipients
Kyogle Youth Action
Kyogle Youth Action is a mentor program for 9 to 12 year olds. It trains teenages to help in the early intervention of younger people who are likely to be at risk of self-harm through reckless behaviour, particularly when they become teenagers. The Youth Leaders commit themselves to mentor their younger friends for up to two years.
The Program was initiated by the Kyogle community after three young people were killed in a car accident in 2002. NRCF conributed $2,000 to assist with the cost of this training at Inter-Action Experiential Learning, Uki.
Natural Death Centre
The Natural Death Centre is an organisation that seeks to support people in various ways to become informed, proactive and empowered in various stages of the death and dying process. They do this by offering clear and unbiased information, referral and advice on more natural, accepting and sustainable approaches to death and dying. They were auspiced by the Amitayus Hospice Service, a hospice service that assist people to be able to die at home. Their grant of $500 is being used to update their website so that their information and content can be regularly updated, more interactive and contain a comprehensive portal service.
Byron Youth Service
Byron Youth Service works with young people aged 12-24 by providing learning opportunities that support their empowerment in the community. They initiated the RIFF Music Program in 2006 to provide opportunities for young people to develop skills in a range of musical instruments, composition, performance and recording. Through connecting young people with an interest in music, they believe that RIFF will stimulate the formation of new bands and emerging artists supported by professional tutuors and mentors. The $2,000 grant they received was used to purchase of PA system for band and performances at and outside the centre.
Men and Family Centre
The Men and Family Centre offers a variety of counselling, groups and community development services to men and their families. Their Mobile Men's Shed and a Dad and Kid's playgroup have received acclaim as innovative and responsive to community needs. In 2006 NRCF gave them $2,000 to fund a six week Dad and Kid's Playgroup. The aim of this Playgroup was to connect isolated Indigenous and Non-indigenous fathers in the Lismore/Goonellabah area and to create social connection, increase knowledge and address racism - a model of community diversity and action based on the principles of respect, diversity, reconciliation and value.
Bay FM Community Radio
Bay FM is an independent radio station that has broadcast across the Byron Shire for the last 19 years, and more recently throughout the Northern Rivers. In 2006 they received a grant of $2,000 to purchase software to log sponsors announcements and manage information about their sponsors. This software helps them develop ongoing relationships with their sponsors, and thereby support the station with neccessary financial rsources. It also supports the station sponsors who are mainly small businesses.
The Uncle Project
Uncle was formed in Byron Bay 10 years ago to provide guidance and mentoring for boys without active fathers. Uncle runs regular supervised activities such as surfing, cooking and woodworking where screened volunteers provide positive male role models for boys aged 7-14. The Uncle Project applied for a Grant from NRCF in 2006 to fund a qualitative evaluation program capable of measuring the program outcomes and monitoring key performance indicators in an ongoing and evolving way. These funds will help them asess the effectiveness of their mentoring program.
House With No Steps
The House With No Steps is a training and employment facility for over 70 people full time with disabilities. Last year, in conjunction with the Ballina District Services Association, they held an annual event called 'Boots, Buckles and Wheels Under the Stars' to celebrate International Day for People with a Disability. The NRCF liaison person Lucy Ashley described the event as "a huge celebration of the incredible talents of this sometimes overlooked section of our community - and a wonderful way of raising awareness of the contribution they can and do make to the place where we live".
Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES)
WIRES is a state wide organisation licensed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to rescue, rehabilitate and release native fauna. They received $2,000 to purchase wildlife survey equipment to create a Community Conservation Toolkit (CCT). The CCT is aimed at enabling community groups to conduct fauna surveys in order to identify the presence of local fauna and monitor their movements over time. The toolkit was initially used as part of a Greencorps Project, where ten 17-20 years old people were trained how to use the kit and identify native fauna.
Alstonville Plateau Historical Society
The Historical Society collects, preserves and displays objects, documents and photographs which tell the history of the Alstonville Plateau and Ballina Shire. The Society became aware that due to the age of their audio/visual equipment, many of the Society members and visitors were unable to see or hear the presentations. In 2006 they recived a grant from NRCF for $800 to purchase a PA system, a digital recorder, headphones and a microphone for the hearing impaired.