2021

December
This year has flown by and it’s hard to believe that we are on the cusp of a new year. Hopefully 2022 will be an easier year for us all and we all have an opportunity to come together as a community without the constraints of lockdowns and exclusions.

AGM 2021-In 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic permitting exemptions for holding AGM’s, we didn’t hold our annual general meeting. We have scheduled our 2021 AGM for Thursday the 16th of December, 5-7.00pm at the Birth and Beyond meeting room. This timing permits vaccinated and unvaccinated members to attend.

Membership; The NCCI would like to encourage all our current tenants and casual hire tenants to become members. To become a member or renew your membership is as easy as clicking on the Join button on the menu tab which will take you to a form and a payment facility. Becoming a member of NCCI for the following benefits:

• Membership is really affordable- The annual membership fee is $15, $10 for seniors (over 60) and concession/unemployed and $5 for under 25 years of age (youth).

• Discounts- We now provide a discount rental for all members for all our casual hire spaces. Members will receive a 10% discount for each booking. If you regularly hire our casual venues, the 2021 Annual membership fee will soon be covered by our discount rates.

• Have your say- becoming a member means that you have the opportunity to join the management committee and/or are instrumental to electing the management committee. You will also be consulted for feedback on community centre projects and initiatives.

• Grant Applications- Membership assists us to get grants to improve the facilities as our members list is indicative of the level community support and input. This is often asked for in applications.

• Supporting our work- we are a not for profit organisation that not only provides affordable tenancy for our Community not-for-profit groups and services, we also support and partner with other community groups on community development projects. Including; hosting the Nimbin Sunday Markets, fundraising for the 7 Sibley St Sustainability Hub, managing the Light Up- under awning and mural lighting project, facilitating the Rainbow Road Walking Trail, supporting the Nimbin NAIDOC celebrations, the creation of the Aquarius Park Landcare group, the purchase of the 11a Alternative Way site (aka Aquarius Park) to develop into a community park and nature reserve and much more.

Your support is important as it enables our staff and volunteers to do more for our community and to develop and improve our facilities and services for the benefit of the whole community.

The Website; The Community Centre has recently revamped our website to a brand new platform this went on line a couple of weeks ago. We still use the nimbincommunity.org.au address and this will come up if you google us. The new site is link to the Visit Nimbin and Nimbin Chamber websites, has greater accessibility over multiple devices and search engine optimisation. In the process of creating the new site the Committee reviewed the scope of the site and have implemented a number of new processes as a result.

More Information about NCCI; The new site now has lot’s more information about the Community Centre and our projects and Community engagement. We have also added our policies, annual president’s reports, financial reports and minutes to meetings. This information can be found in the menu on top of the page banner under the About button on the Governance tab. We also have an online capacity to join as member, become a volunteer, donate to a project or book a venue.

Tenants; All our tenants are now listed on the site with images, contact details and a brief description of your tenancy. This can be found under the About menu button above the banner under Our Tenants.

Venue Booking; If you want to book one of our venues for a meeting, class, event etc. you can check what is available by checking the What’s On tab in the menu bar. Then click on the Venue Hire tab and select the venue you want to book. Once you click on this a window will pop up with the venue details and a link to the online bookings form. You can book your venue and pay all in one simple process.

We hope you will enjoy the brand new system and enjoy the convenience of access to NCCI services and information without being constrained by our limited office hours.

Regards

Teresa Biscoe
On behalf of the Community Centre

 

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November
This month will be a strange time in Nimbin with many community activities and events on hold despite the vaccine apartheid “freedoms” granted in the new NSW Public Health Orders that will run till the end of the month. Many of our regular classes and events in the Dance Studio, Birth and Beyond Meeting Space and the Nimbin Sunday Markets are on hold till December due to the difficulties of policing and the discomfort of having to exclude community members under these new orders.

We look forward to a time when we can all enjoy our lovely village community without constraints like the current orders and without the continual fear that plans can be cancelled at any time due to a positive COVID test from someone in contact with the village.

New Website: The Nimbin Community Centre has been working over the last few months to update and upgrade the format of the old website. We are going on the same platform and a similar format as the Nimbin Chamber of Commerce and the Visit Nimbin site which is much more graphic and user friendly. The new site will be accessible on different hand held devices and have search engine optimisation so we are easy to find and use. We also have the ability to have events and classes included in the event calendar of the Visit Nimbin site so this will provide some great promotional opportunities for those holding classes or having events at the NCCI venues.

We have improved our tenant listings and have a brand new online booking and payment system for our casual hire spaces. You can check out our current projects and where they are up too. We have also provided access to our constitution, policies, newsletters and meeting minutes.

Many thanks to the crew at Dogwhistle who have been working with us and provided invaluable advice and feedback to create this brand new look for the NCCI web presence.

Aquarius Park and the Rainbow Road Walking Trail: NCCI have been liaising with Council in regards to plans and timelines for the Rainbow Road Walking Trail project. The Committee met with the General Manager Michael Donnelly on the 1st of October to discuss the project scope, landholder issues, community engagement and our preference that local tradies etc be engaged in the procurement process so that the community receives the maximum economic benefit from this project during construction as well as once it is completed. The General Manager was very receptive and made a commitment to provide as much opportunity for community engagement and feedback as possible. We walked over the site and the General Manager had a chance to see the scale of the project and some of the issues that need to be addressed before work can begin.

Council are still finalising their plans and working out the project. It will be a while before we will see any final plans on the route and any infrastructure they intend to place on the site. The Community Centre will have to bide their time until these plans are available before we can make any long range plans about what we intend to do with the site. In the meantime, we have created a Landcare group, have organised for regular slashing to maintain access around the site and are exploring funding options, seeking those with appropriate expertise and experience to create a whole site plan and opportunities for community engagement.

We would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of NCCI committee member Diana Roberts who has liaised with and lobbied council to ensure that the Rainbow Road project was picked up in the 1st place, that Nimbin has a strong voice in this process and the village gets the maximum benefit from this exciting opportunity.

If you are interested in donating to the project, being part of any work days with our Landcare group, have any special skills you would like to offer or any ideas you have about what we need to include in a site plan, please contact our office by phone (66890000) or email ncci@nimbincommunity.com.au and let us know what you would like to offer. We look forward to your input.

Regards Teresa Biscoe
(Coordinator)

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October
The lockdowns have continued to disrupt our activities and groups using the Community Centre Casual Hire spaces with markets classes and meetings cancelled during this period. Hopefully we can move forward with more certainty as we approach the end of the year and the Summer holiday season.  

Aquarius Park Update

Donations thanks: The Nimbin Community Centre would like to publically thank the various Community organisations, businesses and individuals for their generous donations towards the purchase of the property at 11a Alternative Way. The Community Centre would not have been able to manage this project without the support of our local community. To date they are as noted below;

Nimbin Hemp Embassy – $30,000
Nimbin Chamber of Commerce – $20,000
Nimbin Jungle Patrol – $20,000
Nimbin Goodtimes – $5000
Uri Ross Realty – $5000
Nimbin Environment Centre – $5000
Nimbin Hills Real Estate – $5000
Nimbin School of Arts – $5000
Nimbin Comskool – $5000
Nimbin Building Materials – $1500
Nimbin Show Society – $1000
Nimbin Artists Gallery – $1000
Topical Hemp Cream – $1000
Nimbin Candles – $1000
Rainbow Lane – $1000
Blue Knob Café – $1000
Nimbin Law Solicitors – $900
Nimbin Aged Care and Respite Service – $500
Nimbin Aquarius Foundation – $500
Armonica – $500
Teretre Cabins – $500
Nimbin Emporium – $500
Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre – $250
Funky Corner – $50

Individuals: Sledge and Danielle, Yvan Calvignac, Alan Glover, Meredith Arnold, Anthony Batchlo, Peter Ulrick, Lil, Rusty and Gitte, Jacquie Willaims, Mandie and Steve Hale, Leslie Gary Kerr, Diana Roberts and Samuel Herren, Harry R O’Donovan,  Ian Dixon, Lucy Jane Penhallow, Fiona Mari, Kitty Van Vuuren, Peter Cumming, Ruth Neilson, Francisco Alvarez, Russel Preston, Pauline Ahern, Karlin Bracegirdle.

Anyone else who wishes to donate to this great community project can go to our website and find the donate link or contact the NCCI office for deposit details.

Boundary Adjustment: We are currently engaged in a DA process with Council to undertake a subdivision and boundary adjustment with Rainbow Power Company who contributed just under half of the purchase costs on the understanding that a boundary adjustment would occur to allow them to expand their light industrial zone.

Rainbow Road Walking Trail: As you know the Lismore Council has received funding to develop and build stage one of the Rainbow Road Walking Track Project and that our site is a vital part of this stage one plan. The council is currently in the process of appointing a Project Officer to manage the project and NCC is discussing arrangements for the Aquarius park site and the project with them. We have also started consulting and getting quotes for removal of noxious weeds, maintenance and bush regeneration on the site as the start date for the work is still a while away.

The Aquarius Park Landcare Group: As part of managing the ongoing development and maintenance of the site we have registered with Landcare NSW to start a Landcare Group. This will give the NCCI access to networking, training and funding to help us manage, develop and maintain this site. If you are interested in joining this group or hearing about Community days and Landcare Work days, please let us know via our email address.

Wai:bal Culture Centre, Pay the Rent Fund: At the moment the Wai:bal Centre is going through a transition and the old account has been closed, they intend to get something organised very soon and will let people know as soon as they can. This community support is a vital part of keeping this space going as they are an unfunded group. We are inviting anyone from the community who wishes to support this very worthy cause to contribute it via our NCCI account 22269886, BSB 728728 and mark it Pay the Rent so we know who it is for.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator
ncci@nimbincommunity.org.au

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September
Nimbin Village and the Community Centre have looked like a ghost town over the last month with lockdown restrictions clearing the streets and closing many businesses. Unfortunately, many of the classes and activities held at the Dance Studio and B&B meeting room have had to be cancelled at the last minute, despite the cooperation from those tenants in managing social distancing, hygiene and contact tracing conditions as part of the NCC COVID safety plan.

At least we have had some glorious weather to enjoy at home while we deal with the situation.

NCC lockdown arrangements: Nimbin Community Centre is still at work as many of our tenants. We may not be available at the office for face to face contact but prior to the pandemic the Centre migrated its primary office systems onto Google Drive so the coordinator and book keeper have been able to work remotely; answering emails, making bookings, paying staff and suppliers and producing invoices. We also continue to monitor regularly the mail and phone messages and our grounds and maintenance staff are quietly doing the necessary work required to keep the grounds and buildings in order.

Tenants: We recently lost Anne Walker who ran the Healing Arts Space at the Community Centre. The pandemic impacted heavily on the business with Anne experiencing a loss of several of her older clients and practitioners who helped her pay for the space. After months of struggle she finally made the decision to vacate. We will miss her community contribution of her regular community healing days and her wonderful therapeutic skills which she shared with the village since opening the Healing Arts Centre in 2015. She has opened another therapy space in Lismore and would welcome inquiries from her Nimbin Clients who have missed her.

Existing tenant Philippa Nilant who was running her arts and crafts business Pixie Nut & Co is moving from her studio located behind the Market Stage in the Figtree Building and into the room A12 vacated by Anne Walker. We welcome Philippa into this space and hope she will enjoy the room as much as Anne did.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new tenant Kelly Heitman who is taking over Philippa’s Studio for her own small business Dreadlocks Naturally and Dreadlock Shop Australia, supplying dreadlocks in her online business. We hope she enjoys being a tenant of the centre and wish her well in her enterprise.

Casual Hire rates: After over a decade of having the same rates for hire for both of our casual hire spaces ($11 per hour) the committee has decided that due to increasing costs we will have to impose a small increase in our hourly rates. As of the 1st of September 2021, our hourly rate will increase to by $1 to $12 per hour. We have tried to increase this rate as little as possible to ensure that activities and meetings that these spaces provide for the community can continue to be affordable to those who wish to use them.

11a Alternative Way (aka Aquarius Park): The Nimbin Chamber of Commerce and the Community Centre are currently working with Council to get the Rainbow Road project up and running now we have the funding. In the meantime, we are looking at ongoing maintenance, regen work for the site and the formation of a Landcare group.

The Aquarius Park Landcare Group: We are creating a Landcare group to organise workdays and help plan the development of this wonderful community asset. We are currently developing the terms of reference and are seeking members from the community to join this Landcare group and contribute to this project. Please contact the community centre at ncci@nimbincommunity.org.au if you are interested.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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August
Gumnut Playground: Work at the Nimbin Early Learning Centre to expand and install an adventure playground has been completed. The new area granted by NCC to the Early Learning Centre has a new slide, a climbing wall, a cubby house, and a pirate ship wrapped around the giant camphor tree. The work has been done with minimum disturbance to the existing trees and once the new turf has had time to establish we will see the children enjoying this wonderful new playground area.

Grant projects: The Community Centre was informed in June that we were successful in an application to the NSW Clubsgrant 21 fund to fund an energy audit of the site at 81 Cullen St. RPC will be doing the work. This will allow us to get a really clear picture of how energy is being used on site and enable us to plan energy saving and efficiency measures in the future.

We also have another grant from the FRRR - Strengthening Rural Communities program to replace a section of the walkways from Acacia to the Casuarina Building. This work will start soon.

11a Alternative Way (aka Aquarius Park): The Lismore Council received notification at the end of June that the grant submission for Stage 1 of the long heralded Rainbow Road Project was successful. This project was a jointly funded from Federal and State Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund programs. Both Federal MP Kevin Hogan and State MP Janelle Saffin visited the site to meet with the Community Centre Committee and Council to receive a briefing on the project and look over the site. Many thanks to the team that included Diana Roberts, Kitty Van Vuuren, Wil Polson, Lois Kelly and Martin Souter who worked together to write this very successful application.

The project will cover the development and installation of: pathway of both brushed concrete and composite plastic (for the low lying areas), a foot bridge, signage, artwork, a shelter, 3 x drinking fountains, walkway arbour, seating, solar lighting, landscaping and regeneration of adjoining areas.

The Community Centre is forming a Landcare Group to help manage and maintain the area so it will continue to be a showpiece of native flora and community engagement. Anyone interested in joining this group please contact the Community Centre.

NAIDOC 2021: As you know the Nimbin NAIDOC celebrations scheduled for July were cancelled due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID outbreak in Sydney. As a result, the events have been rescheduled. The Masquerade Ball is going ahead on Friday the 8th of October featuring some great young indigenous musicians and performers. The Family Fun Day has been scheduled for the 22nd of October when indigenous Comedian Sean Choolburra is available.

Participation: The Nimbin Community Centre is an unfunded not for profit organisation. We rely on the support of the community to manage, maintain and improve our grounds and facilities and contribute to community projects. We are also registered with Centrelink and accept volunteers for grounds, maintenance and office support. We welcome your input to our centre either as a tenant, member of NCC, volunteer or sponsor. We welcome your ideas and suggestions and if you wish to donate or participate in a specific project will put those funds and your energy to good use on the selected project. If you wish to know more about contributing in any way to the Community Centre please contact our office (6689 0000 or at nnci@nimbincommunity.org.au) and they will be happy to direct you.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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July
11a Alternative Way: A fantastic fundraiser was held at the Variety Night on the 5th of June. We raised around $5300 thanks to the organisational efforts from committee members Louise Greaves and David Hallet and all the crew and artists who donated their time at the event. We received fantastic support from the wider community and a great night was had by all.

Anyone still wishing to make a contribution can deposit funds into our designated account: Summerland Credit Union
BSB 728 728
The Nimbin Community Centre Project A Account
22269890

Please put your name with the deposit as we would love to keep a record of and acknowledge the generosity of individuals, businesses and organisations from our community. You can also go into the Summerland Credit Union and ask for the Rainbow Road Account as well.

We will have a community day soon on the site and are looking forward to getting the whole communities input on how best to improve, manage and maintain this wonderful new community owned and managed asset.

Nimbin Tennis Courts: One of Nimbin’s best kept secrets, the Nimbin Tennis Courts located at 106 Cullen St (near the Bush Theatre) are a fantastic community asset and resource. A wonderful way to enjoy time with family and friends getting fit and having a friendly game. The Nimbin Community Centre has been working with the Nimbin Headers Sports Club over the last few months to spruce up the facilities at the Nimbin Tennis Courts. If you haven’t noticed them before, it’s worth popping in to check it out. If you would like to use the courts you can check out the Nimbin Tennis Club Facebook page for information on membership and email nimbinheaderssportsclub@gmail.com to make a booking. The club needs community use and support to help maintain and manage the courts so make a booking and get out there and have a tennis day.

The Nimbin Cultural Centre: The Cultural Centre is inviting the village to come to the cultural centre for some regular weekly events. They are working to keep the doors open regularly and make the space a great teaching and sharing space for the whole community. They are determined to keep the space alcohol and drug free and focussed on culture and community connection.

The Centre will now be open every Wednesday from 10 am to 2 pm to the general public. There will be meal offered between 12-1 pm and all donations raised will go to keeping the centre going and improving the equipment and facilities in the space.

Starting from the 25th of June the Cultural Centre will also be open every Friday evenings as a youth space. They recognise and identify that the village needs a safe space for youth to gather. They will offer activities and cultural exchange. They would love to get another couple of volunteers from the community to help manage and facilitate this. If anyone is interested, please let the office know and I will send them your contact details.

They have more potential projects coming up so keep an eye out for.

NAIDOC 21: This year the Cultural Centre in partnership with NCC, NNIC and NACRS are holding 2 very special events. On Thursday the 8 th of July they are holding a Masquerade Ball in the Nimbin Hall with some really hot young Indigenous Acts including, Blakboi, Jex Lopez, Jannali Doncaster, The Boy of Many Colours, Chelsea Sky Eater, Didj Guy and more. A chance to dress up, enjoy a great meal and entertainment and support the Centre. Tickets are available from Perceptio Book Shop. Friday the 9 th of July there will be the Widjabal Waibal March at 11.00pm down Cullen St from the hospital down to the Half Court in Peace Park where there will be a gathering with a program of ceremony, dance, speakers, musicians and performers. This year we have a very special guest, renowned comedian Sean Choolbarra will be performing as well as some emerging indigenous performers. The whole community is invited to join in and support this annual celebration of local culture and resilience.

Participation: The Nimbin Community Centre is an unfunded not for profit organisation. We rely on the support of the community to manage, maintain and improve our grounds and facilities and contribute to community projects. We are also registered with Centrelink and accept volunteers for grounds, maintenance and office support.

We have some really excellent grounds volunteers (Glen Sparkes, Paul Sims, James Gardner and Linda Bell) who provide invaluable assistance in supporting our gardener and maintenance coordinator and the results can be seen in the ongoing improvements to gardens and grounds as well as an office volunteer (Anne Maszaros) who has been scanning our precious archival photo history and assisting in office organisation. We would like to thank and acknowledge these volunteers who contribute so much to our organisation.

We welcome your input to our centre either as a tenant, member of NCC, volunteer or sponsor. We welcome your ideas and suggestions and if you wish to donate or participate in a specific project will put those funds and your energy to good use on the selected project. If you wish to know more about contributing in any way to the Community Centre please contact our office (6689 0000 or at nnci@nimbincommunity.org.au) and they will be happy to direct you.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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June
Winter is definitely on its way with the night time chill, hopefully we get more of those beautiful clear sunny, winter days with the crisp nights. I love that the tanks are full but find myself craving sunshine after too many days of wet.

11a Alternative Way: Donations are still trickling in from the community and it’s fantastic to see the wide spread community support we have for this project. The Community Centre recognises the need to retain green zones, for community use, in and around a village that seems to be developing fast with no over-arching plan to provide for the green spaces that brought us to the village.

Nimbin Community has long recognised the value of the Community owning and controlling its own community assets and as a result we have so many not for profit groups managing these places for the benefit of the community. This land will become a wonderful nature reserve, a walking trail and a place for the whole community to enjoy.

Anyone still wishing to make a contribution can deposit funds into our designated account:
Summerland Credit Union
BSB 728 728
The Nimbin Community Centre Project A
Account- 22269890

Please put your name with the deposit as we would love to keep a record of and acknowledge the generosity of individuals, businesses and organisations from our community. You can also go into the Summerland Credit Union and ask for the Rainbow Road Account as well.

The Community Centre is currently exploring options for improving the site. We have had John Blatch (long time community member and respected Bush Regen worker) to look over the site and advise us on the work that will need to be done to remove weeds and regenerate the vegetation on site.

We also have had Peter Hardwick (a pioneer in local bush food identification and preparation) walk over the site. He identified many native species, including bush foods, and gave some wonderful information about the plant species that would have originally existed in the area. He also gave some great advise on how to use species on site for propagation to rebuild the local original biosphere.

We are also making connection with local and area Landcare groups, local plant nurseries (including Ngulingah Nursery) and council to explore how best to fund, get working groups and propagate the plants needed for this project.

We will have a community day soon on the site and are looking forward to getting the whole communities input on how best to improve, manage and maintain this wonderful new community owned and managed asset.

Participation: The Nimbin Community Centre is an unfunded not for profit organisation. We rely on the support of the community to manage, maintain and improve our grounds and facilities. We have some really excellent grounds volunteers who provide invaluable assistance in supporting our gardener and maintenance coordinator and the results can be seen in the ongoing improvements to gardens and grounds as well as an office volunteer who has been scanning our precious archival photo history and assisting in office organisation. We would like to thank and acknowledge these volunteers who contribute so much to our organisation. We are registered with Centrelink and accept volunteers for grounds, maintenance and office support.

We welcome your input to our centre either as a tenant, member of NCC, volunteer or sponsor. We welcome your ideas and suggestions and if you wish to donate or participate in a specific project will put those funds and your energy to good use on the selected project. If you wish to know more about contributing in any way to the Community Centre please contact our office (6689 0000 or at nnci@nimbincommunity.org.au) and they will be happy to direct you.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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May
The Nimbin Community Centre has just completed our annual tree maintenance, removing any dangerous branches overhanging buildings and giving trees a trim to open up the space and let in more light.

11a Alternative Way: Currently we are finalising the arrangements for a boundary adjustment with the Rainbow Power Company. They are trusted community partners and we are working with them to organise maintenance on the site and share costs. Fundraising continues at the community centre for this exciting new project which will take ongoing funds to develop and maintain the site.

Fundraising Event: As part of our fundraising for 11a Alternative way, we are organising a Variety and Comedy Night at the Nimbin Hall on Saturday the 6 th of June starting at 2.30pm

Events and Bookings: All our term 2 classes and events in the Nimbin Dance Studio and the Birth and Beyond meeting room and Centre Grounds have started and can be seen in our online calendar on the website at: https://www.nimbincommunity.org.au/index.php/calendar/month.calendar/2021/05/30/- If you are looking to get fit, learn some dance, participate in the Nimbin Open Learning Program, please check it out there are many great and affordable activities on offer.

May events-Sunday Markets (4th and 5th Sunday of the Month), the annual Weave and Mend Festival (the 28th, 29th and 30th of May), Workshop in Local Bush Foods- with the legendary Peter Hardwick on Saturday the 29th of May from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

The NCC are holding a NCC Quadrangle Development- Community Consultation Event on Monday the 31st of May between 10.00am and 2.00pm. We are inviting the Community to attend and give their feedback on how best to improve this site at the heart of our centre. Your feedback will provide the basis for the final design and inform any applications for funding made for this project.

Participation: The Nimbin Community Centre relies on the support of the community to manage, maintain and improve our grounds and facilities. We would like to thank and acknowledge these volunteers who contribute so much to our organisation. We are registered with Centrelink and accept volunteers for grounds, maintenance and office support.

If you wish to know more about contributing in any way to the Community Centre please contact our office (6689 0000 or at nnci@nimbincommunity.org.au) and they will be happy to direct you.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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April
As we head into Autumn it is a relief to enjoy some sunny weather. Our gardener and our wonderful volunteers will be busy cleaning up our gardens and grounds while we have this lovely dry weather to work in. It’s also wonderful to see the lifting of Covid restrictions and that our usual annual events (Weave and Mend, Mardigrass, Arts exhibitions, Roots Fest etc) are being organised and advertised. Hopefully we can all enjoy a bit more normality in 2021.

11a Alternative Way: Fundraising continues at the community centre for this exciting new project. The NCCI would like to recover another $50,000 from our contribution to the project so our contribution sits at around the same level as the largest other community contributions. Once we have achieved this target we will then start accumulating funds for work projects on the land. We have approached local businesses and organisations and asked them if they would like to contribute. We would like to thank all those businesses and individuals who have already donated or pledged to donate to this project, every bit helps.

Current donors we would like to thank are:

Nimbin Hemp Embassy, Nimbin Chamber of Commerce, Nimbin Goodtimes Newspaper, Uri Ross Realty, Nimbin Environment Centre, Diana Roberts Diana and Sam Herron, Topical Hemp Cream, Nimbin Candles, Rainbowlane, Rusty and Gitte, Nimbin Law Solicitors, Sledge and Daniele, Leslie Gary Kerr, Fancisco Alvarez, Peter Cumming, Jacquie Williams, Alan Glover, Ian Dixon, Fiona Mari, Russell Preston, Mandie and Steve Hale, with Love, Mr Harry R O'Donovan, Mrs Meredith Arnold, Peter mango Ulrick, Lil, Kitty van Vuuren, Funky Corner, Ruth Nielson, Lucy June Penhallow, Yvan Calvignac, Anthony Batchlo.

Anyone still wishing to make a contribution can deposit funds into our designated account: Summerland Credit Union- BSB 728 728 The Nimbin Community Centre Project A Account- 22269890

Please put your name with the deposit as we would love to keep a record of and acknowledge the generosity of individuals from our community. You can also go into the Summerland Credit Union and ask for the Rainbow Road Account as well.

Fundraising Event: As part of our fundraising we are organising a Variety and Comedy Night at the Nimbin Hall on Saturday the 6 th of June. We are planning a Family Friendly night with performances from across the Nimbin Community. We are still looking for variety acts (poetry, comedy, music, circus, magic etc.) on the night. So anyone who would like to share an act with us for this very worthwhile project can contact the Community Centre on 66890 000, or ncci@nimbincommunity.org.au your offer will be gratefully accepted.

The annual Weave and Mend Festival will be held in the Nimbin Community Centre Grounds on the 28th, 29th and 30th of May. A great opportunity to connect to community and learn the ancient art of basket weaving. For inquiries and bookings please call 66 897 129.

Participation: The Nimbin Community Centre relies on the support of the community to manage, maintain and improve our grounds and facilities. We welcome your input to our centre either as a tenant, member of NCC, volunteer or sponsor. We welcome your ideas and suggestions and if you wish to donate for a specific project will put those funds to good use on the selected project. We are registered with Centrelink and accept volunteers for grounds, maintenance and office support. If you wish to know more about contributing in any way to the Community Centre please contact our office (6689 0000 or at nnci@nimbincommunity.org.au) and they will be happy to direct you.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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March
11a Alternative Way: On February the 22nd the Community Centre completed the settlement for the purchase of the property. Many thanks to all those community members and groups who are contributing to this project, this would not have been possible without the generosity of these individuals and groups. We are still finalising the list of contributors and intend to publish a comprehensive list thanking those who contributed in the next Goodtimes Edition.

Anyone still wishing to make a contribution can deposit funds into our designated account:
Summerland Credit Union
BSB 728 728
The Nimbin Community Centre Project A
Account- 22269890

Please put your name with the deposit as we would love to keep a record of and acknowledge the generosity of individuals from our community. You can also go into the Summerland Credit Union and ask for the Rainbow Road Account as well.

The Nimbin Community Centre will continue to fundraise for the 11a Alternative Way property. Keep your calendar open for fundraising events and activities for this project. These funds will contribute to the upkeep and development of the site.

Now that the property has been secured we will need to start maintaining and assessing the site. John Blatch, who has been regenerating the nature reserve for the Alternative Way developer has offered to inspect the property, assess and mark the plant native species already there and advise on the best way to regenerate the site.

Once we have a regen plan we will start organising plants and workdays for planting. We are waiting for the result of the Rainbow Road Grant Application, as the Walking Trail will need to be factored in, before making any final plans or starting any projects on site.

The land will need regular maintenance and the Community Centre is seeking community members who could offer free slashing of the site. If you wish to donate this service please contact us on our email; ncci@nimbincommunity.org.au or our phone; 02 66 890 000 to speak to our coordinators.

Once the land has been slashed a couple of times and is more accessible to the general community we will hold an open day event on site so the community can have a look at this wonderful addition to our community assets and give us feedback about what you would like to see in this space.

Classes and Events: We have a great line up of dance, art and movement classes this term in the Nimbin Dance Studio and the Birth and Beyond Meeting Room. These can be viewed in the online calendar on the website at www.nimbincommunity.org.au. We also host the Nimbin Sunday Markets on the 4th and 5th Sunday of each month. Our Market Coordinator Steph Seckold can be contacted at nimbinmarkets@gmail.com for any market inquiries. We are also happy to announce that the annual Weave and Mend Festival will be held in the Nimbin Community Centre Grounds on the 28th, 29th and 30th of May. A great opportunity to connect to community and learn the ancient art of basket weaving. For inquiries and bookings please call 66 897 129.

Participation: The Nimbin Community Centre relies on the support of the community to manage, maintain and improve our grounds and facilities. We welcome your input to our centre either as a tenant, member of NCC, volunteer or sponsor. We welcome your ideas and suggestions and if you wish to donate for a specific project will put those funds to good use on the selected project. We are registered with Centrelink and accept volunteers for grounds, maintenance and office support. If you wish to know more about contributing in any way to the Community Centre please contact our office (6689 0000 or at nnci@nimbincommunity.org.au) and they will be happy to direct you.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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February
Fay Scherf Rest in Peace: Over the Christmas break we received news that on the 9th of January beloved community member and long-time volunteer Fay Scherf passed away aged 92. The Community Centre would like to acknowledge the incredible contribution Faye Scherf made to NCCI over many years. She was a founding member of the Nimbin Community Development Association, the organisation formed to raise money to acquire the community centre sites - subsequently renamed NCCI.

Faye made a tireless contribution to our extensive fundraising efforts over those 2 years and beyond. She was a regular visitor to the Centre and continued her involvement in many organisations until her death. She was a country woman and a committed Christian who truly lived her faith in her volunteering, offering kindness, compassion and understanding to all members of our diverse community. She helped to found the Nimbin Soup Kitchen in the 1990’s to ensure that the homeless and vulnerable in our community were cared for. She supported Drug Law Reform and participated in the Mardigrass Drug Law Reform Marches because her experience in Nimbin led her to believe that addicts were victims in need of care and support and that criminalisation harmed rather than helped these people. Fay supported and contributed to most of our village community organisations at one time or another. Her perfect scones, cakes, damper and other baked goodies graced many a fundraising table and community event. She was loved and respected by the whole community and will be sorely missed.

Review of 2020: As we move into 2021 we are reviewing the projects and activities at the Centre last year. Due to the disruptions created by the pandemic some community centre improvement plans where significantly delayed. However, in spite of a constantly changing landscape, closures and rental income lost due the pandemic we still managed a number of community projects and made a number of grant applications to stage an event, upgrade and improve community centre infrastructure and contribute to community development. Last year we:

• Successfully lobbied the Traffic Advisory Committee to change the parking zones around the disabled access ramp in front of the Nimbin Aged Care and Respite Centre (Rainbow Building) to facilitate the drop off and collection of clients to this important service. This will be implemented this year.
• Applied for and received NAIDOC funding and worked with the community and the Wai:bal Cultural Centre to stage a Covid safe NAIDOC celebration on the 13th of November. Many thanks to all the community organisations who contributed goods and funds for the event.  Applied for and received funds to replace the Quadrangle water tank and install another tank behind the Neighbourhood Centre to improve water storage and use on the site. The tanks will be installed early this year.
• Applied for funds to upgrade the footpath that runs the length of the market site and replace sections the old sections of the covered walkway. Unfortunately, these applications were not successful so we will continue to look for funding this year to complete the projects.
• Supported and advocated for the Bushfire Infrastructure Grant application for the Nimbin Rainbow Road Walking Trail project being auspiced by the Lismore City Council.
• Worked with the community to purchase the 11a Alternative Way property in December to ensure the Nimbin Rainbow Road Walking Trail project was able to go ahead when grant funds are available.
• Installed a new Community Sign in front of the Cullen St carpark painted by local mural artists Elspeth Jones and Julie De Lorenzo.
• Replaced approximately 45 metres of covered walkway.

Projects for 2021: This year we intend to continue to improve Community Centre sites through volunteer workdays, seek funds for identified community projects and to develop others to a “shovel ready” stage so funding can be sought.

Community Projects requiring volunteer energy include: 

• Maintaining and improving community centre garden beds and grounds.
• Maintaining and planning the development on the newly acquired 11a Alternative Way to include the Rainbow Trail and Native Wildlife and Vegetation reserves.
• Increasing native butterfly habitat and native vegetation on centre grounds and verges.
• Painting the Rainbow across the front of Acacia House, the admin building at 81 Cullen St. Last year we received $600 in donations for paint and we will organise some work days as soon as we have purchased the paint.
• Setting up and running the Sticks and Stones Sculpture Exhibit in the Centre Grounds in spring.

Projects we are seeking funding for include;

• Implementing Stage 2 of the “Light up Nimbin” under awning and mural lighting project to extend lighting design from the Nimbin Apothecary at 54 Cullen St to the entrance of the Western Carpark.
• Replace another 30m of covered walkway at the 81 Cullen St site.
• Improve pedestrian accessibility by upgrading uneven or broken footpaths on site.
• Improve and increase community centre signage around the site to facilitate access and navigation around the site.
• The purchase and installation of art works on the outside of NCC buildings from the artists in residence at the Wai:bal Cultural Centre as part of our acknowledgment of 1st Nations People cultural contribution.
• Nimbin NAIDOC 2021 celebrations with the Wai:bal Cultural Centre.

Projects we are completing the planning details for so they can be funded and implemented in the future include:

• Develop and cost the Quadrangle Area Project to include shade, gardens, green space and art to encourage community use of centre gardens and space, mitigate heat by creating a cooling microclimate.
• Improve disability access to the Wai:bal Cultural Centre.
• Increase seating and shade around the Rainbow Seating in front of the Aged Care Service.

New Office Hours: Due to income constraints the Committee decided last year to cut coordinator hours in the office to save money. The savings will be put towards a grant development fund as coordinators have very little extra time to put towards writing applications for large projects. Our new office hours are: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 8.30-4.00pm.

Participation: The Nimbin Community Centre relies on the support of the community to manage, maintain and improve our grounds and facilities. We welcome your input to our centre either as a tenant, member of NCC, volunteer or sponsor. We welcome your ideas and suggestions and if you wish to donate for a specific project will put those funds to good use on the selected project. We are registered with Centrelink and accept volunteers for grounds, maintenance and office support. If you wish to know more about contributing in any way to the Community Centre please contact our office (6689 0000 or at nnci@nimbincommunity.org.au) and they will be happy to direct you.

Regards
Teresa Biscoe
Coordinator

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