Wardell CORE is proud to be recently named a Very Neighbourly Organisation by Relationships Australia.

“ Very Neighbourly Organisations (VNO) are organisations that uphold and promote the principles of Neighbour Day. These organisations are able and committed to helping increase respectful relationships across Australia, one social connection at a time. “ - Relationships Australia

We are excited to share this recognition and partnership with Relationships Australia. We look forward to continuing to demonstrate the importance of social connection for resilient communities.

Unsure what to do with your kitchen, garden, and yard scraps? Would you like natural, home-made compost for your garden? Let's turn your organic waste materials and food scraps into a valuable resource for your home garden.

Learn about the different types of home composting systems and basic fundamentals of building a good composting system, join us for a farm walk and talk and build compost pile with Tony Brown - Brownie's Biodynamics

BBQ lunch and have all your questions answered on why we compost, how to compost, what to compost and how to use compost around the home.

Book your spot now !

Saturday 17th of June, 9:30-1:00 at Pimlico Organic Produce, 5 Mins from Wardell, 771 Pimlico Rd, Pimlico.

We are grateful for the support from the NAB Foundation to offer this program.

If you are unable to book online, please come and see us at the hub! 

Food insecurity isn’t just about going hungry. It occurs when a person has worried about running out of food. It’s much more common than you think.

We know that the rising costs of living, ongoing financial hardship and challenges of disaster recovery mean that many people are experiencing this type of food insecurity in our region.

The amazing team at OzHarvest have provided consistent fresh fruit and vegetable drops to over 9 towns doing it tough in the Northern Rivers, providing over 9,000 food hampers - enough for 92,000 meals over the past 12 months!

A huge thanks to Luke who has been the consistent and smiling face who has been delivering our veggies to Wardell and throughout the region, Gab the regional project lead and the entire mobile market support crew.

With the end of the OzHarvest mini market service we are seeking ways to transition and support the ongoing nutrition needs of the community.  

If you would like to access regular reduced cost / wholesale priced vegetables please use the registration form.

This service will be based on a cost recovery model and depend on community volunteer support.  Orders will need to be ordered and purchased in advance.

“A disproportionate burden in recovery is falling to communities and volunteers who are running community hubs and similar local support. Although there is goodwill and assistance in the early stages, as the weeks and months pass volunteer numbers dwindle as people need to return to work and other activities, and the burden shifts to an ever-smaller group of people.

Recovery agencies need to find ways to support, train, and properly resource local community hubs so that they can function well, stay local, and provide support in the months after the floods with an appropriate needs-based phased reduction in service. Recovery hubs need to have a direct line of communication with local and/or state recovery coordinators”.

The research provides vital context that will assist emergency management organisations, government departments, local councils, community organisations and community members in better understanding the complexities of community experiences before, during and after severe weather.

Read the full report: Community experiences of the January - July 2022 floods in New South Wales and Queensland

or find out more WEBINAR: Community experiences of the 2022 eastern Australia floods

Tuesday 20 June 12pm-1pm AEST via Zoom

In this webinar, A/Prof Mel Taylor (Macquarie University) and Dr Kat Haynes (Natural Hazards Research Australia) will guide you through the research findings and how to apply them.

Learn more and register here

Attention Local Farmers: Save the Date

Wardell CORE and the Rural Recovery Support Service will be hosting a free catered event to support you with :

• RAA Flood Grants

• Basic Bookkeeping

• IT tips and submitting invoices

Choose the session time that suits you best: 19th June or 26th June 1pm-5pm at Wardell CORE.

More information to follow. Contact Rosie - 0460 729 080

Engagement Officer Recovery | Far North Rural Recovery Support Service, Department of Primary Industries

Share your aspirations for the future of the Richmond River catchment

We all know the Richmond River is not in a good way. Here's a chance for you to help out.

A group of researchers at Southern Cross University in partnership with Richmond Riverkeeper have developed a community survey to look at catchment health. It's an opportunity for you to present your view and share stories about why you love the river. It's also a chance to help other people understand our collective aspirations for the future.

By completing this survey YOU are taking action to show how, why and where you value the river and for what purposes.

At-Home Caravan Program extended

Some good news for local residents who have been using the At-Home Caravan Program to support their temporary housing while they continue to recover from the floods of 2022.

With the At-Home Caravan Program now running for 12 months, Camplify and NSW Reconstruction Authority are advising that they will extended the program for eligible applicants for an additional 180-days.

More details will be available soon.

Don’t forget you can access FREE recovery support from RSS case management at WardellCORE every week.

Tuesdays 9-12 with Lily from Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre

Fridays 10-3 with Dash from Uniting

Drop in or contact us to make an appointment - RSS case managers can assist you through the complex journey of disaster recovery including ;

• help to develop a recovery plan;

• applying for grants and financial support; - linking with key services,

• suppliers and expert advice;

• housing support/solutions and

• disaster-proofing your life and wellbeing.

They can help you make appropriate community referrals to additional services and assist you to access other social and community resources.

Case managers are available to meet you privately at Wardell CORE in our consultation room and can offer home visits or phone support to help you get back on track.

Some things RSS can assist you with are connecting and referring you too legal aid, free financial counselling, financial grants assistance, disability support, aged care support, free services from health professionals for mental health, domestic violence, alcohol and other drugs, social and family support, housing and temporary housing support, camplify, providing material aid, providing food relief, emergency relief and much more.

Wardell Rocks

A bit of creative fun for kids and adults in Wardell! Hunt for rocks in the district, or paint some for others to find. This is a great way to add a bit of joy to someone's day.

- If you find a rock you can take a photo of it and share it into the Wardell Rocks FB group. The rock is yours to keep or re-hide it for someone else to find.

- If you want to hide rocks don't forget to write on the back: 'FB Wardell Rocks 2477'. Before you hide your rocks, take a photo of them and announce a 'rock drop' into the group.

Happy hunting!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wardellrocks

“Volunteers are at the heart and soul of a community”

Drop in and have a read of the latest Women’s Weakly or gt one of your own. Featuring Simone Clark who many of you would know has been tirelessly supporting our community and region through her work running weekly Orange Sky Laundry runs, is a board member at Wardell CORE and can be found lending a friendly ear and offering endless support whether at our Friday Night social events, Mary’s Place in Ballina or along side the bright Orange Sky vans.

Thank you Simone for all your contributions, effort and joyful smiles

Reach Out

Wardell’s Wellbeing Program offers a dedicated space for professional counselling services and qualified mental health supporters for the community and Wardell district.

Our facilities and programs are an essential asset for our community’s recovery and mental health. We are privileged to have the support of supported by Healthy North Coast to be able to provide this safe and welcoming space and offer a range of support with our amazing team of registered counsellors and mental health workers.

We provide a drop-in centre, appointments on demand and referral services available 5 days a week.

We can also offer outcalls and outreach or consultation by phone. Our mental health services are free, discreet and confidential.

You can come and talk to our professional team at any time for help, advice or support or just drop in for a cuppa and a chat.

Drop in at any time phone 0432 563 380 or email wellbeing@wardellcore.community