A massive thanks to everyone who got behind this application and voted for Wardell to win this $10,000 grant.

Today Tuesday 24th Jan at 10am we are having a visit from Southern Cross Credit Union to present us with a big cheque as recipients of their community grants program and to show them around the hub. If you are available please join us for this presentation and celebration!

We are absolutely thrilled to have the support of SCCU and the strong endorsement of our community to pursue gardening and therapeutic horticulture programs in our region.

There is so much enthusiasm for gardening programs in Wardell and opportunities to connect and share knowledge on food growing as a part of our community’s recovery after the flood.  We had already identified limitations to the access of good food here before the disaster and this program will help us get growing, to build resilience and community through a shared love of gardening and plants.

Thank you SCCU for this opportunity and to everyone who voted for us in support.

As we have rounded out the year and started a new one, we have once again reviewed the details of our community facility's activity, engagement and impact.

This is a fantastic opportunity to show our most sincere appreciation for the wide range of essential stakeholders that support our communities ongoing recovery and help us to build resilience while also preparing for an uncertain future. We have so many organisations, charities, partners and essential individuals to thank.

WardellCORE is a 100% community-led registered charity that is now made up of 174 financial members from the 2477, 2478 and surrounding postcodes. { not a member ? join here }
Our funding and program resources have been provided through partnerships with NSW Government, Healthy North Coast, Northern Rivers Community Foundation and an even wider range of community organisations, charities and local businesses. We also depend on the generosity and kindness of a huge team of passionate community members, volunteers and pro-bono service providers from our region.

As the figures on this snapshot demonstrate, we continue to experience high demand for support from a large number of community members from our region. We provide dedicated aid with navigating the complexities of flood recovery and assistance to the wider community by providing continuity of care and critical support to a wide range of citizens experiencing:

• ongoing trauma,

• critical mental health challenges,

• financial hardship,

• severe health issues,

• women escaping domestic violence,

• suicidal thoughts,

• while also offering opportunities for social events, workshops, training, community building, connection, health and wellbeing activities and fun !

This quarterly snapshot provides an overview of our impact over the past 3 months which is quantified by a hub visitor registration system and surveys which demonstrates useful information on visitor demographics, community needs and a reflection of our most recent milestones.

We are also grateful that while many people come for much needed support that we are able to offer a place of comfort, simple cups of tea and company, entertainment and engagement to everyone in the community whether they have been severely impacted by last years natural disaster or not at all.

Come one and all, we are open to everyone in our Community.

Australia Day Jan 26th

More and more Australians are recognising that the way that we have typically celebrated Australia Day on January 26 is problematic and that it is not inclusive of the needs and sensitivities of our First Nations people.

There is however strong and open conversation about how as a society we can come together and embrace the opportunity to learn more about our history and develop both relationships and promote truth-telling, understanding, respect, healing and reconciliation.

There are some simple ways to mark 26th of January respectfully and acknowledge our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities:

• Be curious – take some time to read more about the history of Australia during colonial times, such as during the frontier wars, or about the experience of Indigenous people. Take some time to read more about the Uluru - Statement from the Heart

• Connect –  reach out and connect with the many Aboriginal people in our community and respectfully ask for their views on the date to help us develop an informed approach to the day. Be open and receptive to hearing their stories and reflections on what the day means to them and understand and respect their feelings if they do not wish to discuss.

• Representation – If you are involved or present at any Australia Day events you can make sure there is acknowledgement and representation. Has there been an appropriate ‘Welcome to Country’ or a guest speaker to acknowledge the realities of our shared histories and what this date means to Aboriginal Australians? If not - raise this with the event coordinators.

NRRC Resilient Homes Program – Community Information sessions

The next popup in Wardell will be Feb 1st, from 4pm-6pm

Mark your calendars if you would like to come and chat with representatives from the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation. For more information on the resilient homes program and to make sure you have registered visit :

https://www.nsw.gov.au/.../resili.../resilient-homes-program

• Home buybacks : the homeowner receives a payment for the purchase of their house and land

• Home raising : funding is committed to elevate liveable areas above a property-specific flood level

• Home retrofit : funding is committed to retrofit and/or repair liveable areas to improve the resilience of these areas for future floods

www.nsw.gov.au/NRRC

Wardell Community Recovery Session

with David Younger

Join us February 2 at WardellCORE for a pancake breakfast and an opportunity to hear from Psychologist and leading disaster recovery expert Dr David Younger

Come along to understand more about personal and community recovery after a natural disaster like flooding. Hear from Dr David Younger who will share key messages designed to help you understand more about coping with the challenges we are facing and, what you can do to maintain your overall health and wellbeing. He will also talk about how communities can best support themselves.

All community members welcome!

T his event is supported by Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, NSW Department of Health and Australian Red Cross.

Please remember to register :

"Community is Resilience" - Tshirts are back !

We are so grateful of this amazing fundraiser and we now have a new supply of these gorgeous t-shirts designed and provided by talented local artist Dalee Ella Printmaker

Proceeds from sales support our Wardell community's flood recovery with over $5000 raised already !

We have a range of coloured and sizes. Drop in and grab one. $50 each printed on Organic cotton, all sizes available in 3 colours.