An Alstonville community group that provides social opportunities for elderly residents will use money from the #GreaterNorthernRivers community funding program to cover rising costs.
Alstonville RSL Tibouchina Day Club has received $2,000 for winning the July public vote, with $500 each going the monthly runners up, Far North Coast Softball Association Inc and Ballina District Museum and Historical Society.
Alstonville RSL Tibouchina Day Club volunteer, Jennifer Regan, said the club is a not-for-profit community organisation run entirely by volunteers.
“The Day Club offers a setting in which to develop friendships and social support networks to the aged residents of the Alstonville/Wollongbar community,” Jennifer said.
“It provides an opportunity for the members to be involved in a varied program of stimulating activities that enhance health and wellbeing, held weekly each Wednesday at the Rous Mill Hall."
Alstonville RSL Tibouchina Day Club volunteer, Jennifer Regan
“Participants receive morning tea, lunch, entertainment and return transport for a small contribution fee, although the weekly running costs including fuel and consumables has risen sharply in recent months.
“2020 was a very difficult year on top of dealing with Covid-19 restrictions, as a commercial decision by Ballina Council saw us having to vacate the Alstonville Cultural Centre along with a host of other community groups, so this money from the Greater is very welcome indeed.”
Greater Northern Rivers Regional Sales Manager, Scott McCluskey, said many organisations are doing it tough meeting cost increases.
“Lots of community groups are finding it hard to make ends meet at the moment and any kind of accommodation is hard to come by in the Northern Rivers region,” Scott said.
“We are happy our program is able to help provide activities for people who may otherwise be completely socially isolated.”
Nominees for the August round of the #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program are Lismore Little Athletics, Italo Stars Soccer Club Incorporated and Woodburn Pony Club, with the three organisations in the running for a share of $3,000 in monthly funding.
The public can vote online at www.greater.com.au/greaternorthernrivers until 5:00pm Friday, 19 August 2022.