Grassroots groups receive funding boost

FROM disability-led dance programs to food boxes and family fun days, a wide range of grassroots organisations are set to benefit from Byron Shire Council’s latest Community Initiatives Program.

More than $57,000 in funding has been allocated to 19 community organisations for projects to be delivered by June 2026.

The largest grant went to Wildlife Transport Network, which received $4,500 to help recruit, train and support volunteers who safely transport injured and orphaned wildlife from veterinary clinics to the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital for specialist care.

The Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships, held annually in Byron Bay, was awarded $4,000 to purchase essential beach matting.

Also receiving $4,000 was the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia, which will use the funds to purchase a smaller, more efficient trailer. This will enable volunteer drivers without heavy vehicle licenses to transport equipment for events held across the Northern Rivers.

Sprung Dance Theatre will receive $4,000 to help deaf and disabled artists in the Northern Rivers build skills, confidence and creative expression.

The Byron Bay Community Centre plans to use its $4,000 grant to install handrails along the upper level of its building and stairways, improving access for seniors and patrons with disability.

Federal Hall will use its funding to purchase 120 plastic chairs for events, while Raise the heART will deliver its STRONG MOB four-day Indigenous-led arts and healing gathering. The event will include a multi-artist Bundjalung pop-up art exhibition and the professional theatre show STRONG MOB, which explores trauma and recovery, followed by a fire yarnin’ circle.

Broken Head Society Inc plans to use its grant to buy a portable defibrillator to support the local Community Resilience Team, with sensor-activated lighting also to be installed at Broken Head Hall. Coorabell Hall Association will purchase a new generator to strengthen its resilience hub operations, while Bangalow Resilience Network will invest in three high-powered CB radio kits to ensure clear communication across the network and with emergency responders during natural disasters.

Mullum SEED will auspice a project aimed at upgrading several ageing garden beds at Shara Community Gardens in Ocean Shores, and The Ethos Global Foundation will help re-establish the New Brighton Dunecare Group to support restoration efforts on the New Brighton and South Golden Beach foredune.

Federal Landcare Group will put its funding towards removing invasive Camphor laurel from Crown land in Federal and replanting, while Mullumbimby Community Food Box will cover the freight costs associated with transporting food from Foodbank in Brisbane.

Other recipients of funding include Byron Bay Bridge Club, the organisers of the Federal Community Children’s Family Fun Day, Mullumbimby Sustainable Education and Enterprise Development and Coolamon Community Inc, which provides support to First Nations mums and babies.

Council’s Community Project Officer Malcolm Foard said the program highlights the breadth and depth of volunteer-led initiatives happening across the region.

“We know that small grants can make a big impact,” he said.