Joanne Cunningham

The devastating bushfires of 2019 and 2020 had a significant impact on the environment and the people living in the Blicks River communities. Then along came Covid, which added another layer of concern and frustration. But rather than letting these events drag the community down a few Blicks River community groups swung into action. They began planning for the future and actively searching for support and grant funding to kick-start new possibilities and repair the harm incurred.

Who are these groups?
Blicks Community Inc (BCI) is an auspicing body with a dynamic committee and local community membership. The group is primarily working in partnerships with local and state government to implement community based projects such as bushfire recovery, vegetation mapping, bush regeneration creating local employment opportunities and upgrading telecommunications.
The Community Action Plan (CAP Team) is focussing on four main areas of need:- Fire preparedness and water security, environmental sustainability, community connection and economic infrastructure.
The Dundurrabin Community Centre (DCC) Committee manages the Centre’s activities, services and infrastructure. The DCC has recently installed a fabulous woodfire pizza oven which has featured in numerous social events including a pool competition, family movie night and a youth forum.

No-one could have predicted just how successful these groups would be, between them they managed to access a staggering $1million of grant funding for projects and programmes. None of this would be possible without the generous assistance and support of the following bodies; The Federal Government, Regional NSW, Resilience NSW, Clarence Valley Council, Resilient Clarence, Rural Adversity Mental Health Programme, Department of Primary Industries, Healthy North Coast, St. Vincent de Paul, Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal, Australian Red Cross, Suicide Prevention, Dandarrga Landcare, Clarence Landcare and Bellingen Landcare, Neighbourhood Care Network, Connecting Neighbour Centres of Bellingen Shire, Bellingen Shire Council, and Dorrigo Rotary, Tyringham Rural Fire Service AND the local volunteers, who have come together and worked many many hours in kind.

The last two years have been very busy but there is always more to do. The Blicks River Communities groups plan to keep working on projects that focus on a brighter, more sustainable and inclusive future.

If you are interested in being involved, have some ideas or would like to become a member, please join us at the CAP Team/BCI Community Event and Lunch, Sunday August 28th 11am to 2.00pm, at Dundurrabin Community Centre. All welcome. blicks2453@gmail.com
www.blicks.com.au
https://blickscommunityinc.org.au