A NEW roof for the Nambucca Valley Phoenix Ceramics Yurt and Kitchen at Bowraville has been made possible through a $25,000 Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Rebuilding Futures grant.

Pippa Tabone, Coordinator at Bowraville Ceramics Yurt, told News Of The Area what this funding means for the not-for-profit (NFP) organisation’s future.

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“Funding from the Rebuilding Futures program is enabling us to do much needed repairs to the roof of our ceramics studio.

“The studio, built by members of the local community back in the 80s is in a mudbrick yurt-like structure with a tin roof.

“It is one of three yurts that are connected through a series of ramps.

“After decades of use and exposure to corrosive kiln fumes, plus three years of extreme weather events, the roof of this yurt is full of holes and no longer sound,” she said.

Phoenix runs art programs in the studio for artists with disability, and programs are open for all community members.

It is also used by TAFE Students, youth programs and other local community groups.

“It is a hub of creativity and community,” Pippa said.

“Having funding to keep this space safe and open for our community to use means the world to us.

“We are a small rural, regional town with limited access to services.

“We have been hard hit by the Black Summer bushfires, the pandemic and ongoing extreme weather events.

“It is great to share some good news in our town.”

Work with a local builder will be starting in February/March 2023.

“Our own Phoenix Work Crew, which is an employment program for people with disability, will get the studio cleaned up and ready for repairs.”

The crew will also be doing repair work to the ramps and rails connected to the studio.

“Our purpose is to maintain an inclusive place to come together to learn, earn and contribute to the joy of arts, food and community.”

FRRR, in partnership with GIO, has awarded more than $300,000 to sixteen community groups and local NFPs to support recovery initiatives in rural communities in NSW impacted by the floods in February and March 2022.

Recipients of the funding have diverse needs as they journey along on their road to recovery including building organisational capacity and giving locals the opportunity to develop their skills, to investing in life saving equipment and improving access to services.

Bowraville Ceramics Yurt is offering a series of free workshops over summer, January to March called Summer Series, including ceramics, wood work, upcycled fashion, felting, music, painting, basket weaving.

For more info visit @NambuccaValleyPhoenix on social media.

By Andrea FERRARI