20 October 2020

Connecting Communities and Towamba P&C deliver infrastructure upgrades under bushfire grant

| Sharon Kelley
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Connecting Communities Australia volunteers.

Connecting Communities Australia volunteers worked together with local volunteers on multiple projects across Towamba, Kiah and Wonboyn. Photo: Supplied.

A joint effort between Connecting Communities Australia (CCA) and Towamba P&C across two weeks on multiple projects at Towamba, Kiah and Wonboyn has delivered additions to the Towamba playground, piped water for residents who still had no running water since the past summer bushfires, and repaired infrastructure.

Bega Valley Shire Council community development and engagement coordinator Scott Baker said both organisations were successful in their applications for Vinnies NSW Community Bushfire Grants to deliver the work to the value of $35,000.

“The CCA volunteers were supported locally by Merimbula Lions Club volunteers, who also gave CCA access to its community tool library,” said Mr Baker.

“The playground area near Towamba Hall had shade sails installed over the play equipment, an outdoor community barbecue area built, new bench seats installed and a basketball hoop erected.

“The project was assisted by retired engineer John Moffatt, who developed detailed drawings and oversaw the technical aspects of the additions.

“Local support was given by Highlands and Son Concreting, Michelin’s, Mitre 10, Oaklands and Staying Home Leaving Violence.”

CCA has secured additional funding and is planning to return to Towamba in March 2021 to complete further work, including a path to increase accessibility to the barbecue area and playground.

Connecting Communities Australia delivers needs-based support programs for rural, remote and Indigenous communities by providing professional field service teams, including volunteers, to repair and maintain essential facilities to rural communities.

Bega Valley Shire Council, in partnership with the Bega Valley bushfire recovery Community Development Network, hosted a thank-you barbecue for CCA volunteers at Wonboyn during the past weekend.

Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick thanked all the hardworking and compassionate volunteers involved in this enormous operation.

A second community barbecue for the volunteers will be held at Towamba this Saturday, 17 October, from 11 am to 2 pm and will be hosted by the Towamba community, Bega Valley Shire Council, the Community Development Network, Pambula Rotary Club and the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast.

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