Urunga Business and Community has been awarded a $10k grant from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) under the Strengthening Rural Communities program.

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Secretary of UBC Andrew O’Keeffe, wrote the application with the support of Bellingen Shire Council, after listening to community groups who use the hall.

“I was overjoyed to open the email from the funding body to read the magic word: ‘successful’,” he told the News Of The Area.

“Air conditioning will make an enormous difference to community groups for years to come.”

Deborah McWha of Holiday Coast Bootscooters uses the hall for line dancing.

“The lack of air conditioning during our hot summer has been a great impediment to our activity,” she said.

“Many of our participants, mainly women in their 60s, 70s and even 80s, suffer and complain of the heat.

“Air conditioning will make a world of difference and encourage more people to participate.”

The hall is used for other activities as varied as textile and mosaic workshops, karate and yoga.

Emma of Emma Hohnen Yoga has used the hall for almost ten years.

“Air conditioning will make a difference to our students, and it’s not just in the summer months,” she said.

“In winter the cold is very much an issue.

“I usually bring my own heater and arrive an hour and a half early just to get the room to a basic level of warmth.

“Our students look forward to a much more comfortable environment.”

Mr O’Keeffe said all the activities in the hall foster a sense of belonging and support people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

By Andrea FERRARI