Nine young local women will use their Young Women's Grant to pursue personal goals and passions. Shanice Hilder (photo at right) was unavailable at the time the group photograph was taken.
8 March 2023
Bega Valley Shire Council awarded nine young women $500 grants today at a special International Women's Day presentation attended by their families, Councillors and Mumbulla Community Foundation representatives.
Council's Director Community, Environment and Planning, Emily Harrison said she's confident our Young Women's Grants will help these inspirational young women achieve their personal goals and make a difference within their communities.
Poppy Collins wants to take care of the land and make an impact towards climate change in a local and community-based setting. Her goal is to restore the eroded wetlands, focusing on regenerative and sustainable farming strategies, by replanting native freshwater wetland species. Poppy will use the funding to purchase seedlings and employ professional Landcare workers.
Courtney Maher is actively pursuing business opportunities to help members of her community on NDIS plans. She knows many people in her community that feel secure to use her professional services in their homes and may have anxiety or shame visiting a shopfront. Courtney will use her grant to purchase supplies.
Taylah Abraham volunteers for Council's Youth Speak events, including the Youth Forum and Future Shaper Programs. She will use the funding to get First Aid training and Mental Health First Aid training so she can further her career in aged care and support future plans of working with Bega Valley youth.
Bohdi Moffat-Turner is a passionate musician who has participated in dancing and theatre performances at Fling Physical Theatre, Revive Bermagui and Pambula Christmas Markets. Most recently, she performed at the Cobargo Skate Competition. Bohdi will use the funding to record her own music and hire other local musicians to play together at gigs.
Bianca Bellicanta is a member of the Social Justice Advocates' Youth Climate Action Group, participating in fortnightly beach clean-ups and hosting events such as the Tura Beach Late Night Libraries. She is passionate about the local community and the opportunities for youth in the area. Bianca will use her grant to continue her flute lessons and attend a creative writing course.
Matilda Johnston is using her 'gap year' to develop her art and craft skills, with the aim of creating her own local art group and an online business. Her business will support the values of reducing, reusing and recycling. Matilda will use the funding to host a 3-week exhibition at the Spiral Gallery and has future plans to open her own studio/workshop.
Shanice Hilder, an Aboriginal artist specialising in chalk art, wants to share the beauty of Aboriginal culture with her community and create a space to dream and connect with nature. She will use her grant to hold market stalls so she can continue to develop her art and display the Aboriginal music and art of her peers.
Majella Bailey is an artist and printmaker. She designed the poster for the Candelo Village Festival and has one of her paintings on display in federal minister, Kristy McBain's office. She will use the funding to expand her art range and buy supplies to make larger quantities of her screen-printed fabrics. Majella is also working towards creating a body of artwork for a solo exhibition.
Matilda McCarthy runs her own business teaching and performing circus skills. She is proud to have worked alongside headspace Bega, Police Citizens Youth Club, Fire Up Oz and other organisations. Matilda will use her grant to purchase new equipment so she can expand her classes and provide a connective, creative and safe space for people of all ages to play and express themselves.
The Young Women's Grants is offered in partnership with the Mumbulla Community Foundation.
The second round of Young Women's Grants is open to young women aged between 18 and 25 years to encourage them to achieve their personal goals and passions in arts and culture, the environment, business, community, health and sport.
Applications for Round 2 will close on 31 March.
