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Byron Bay Community Association

69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481 02 6885 6807 www.byroncentre.com.au

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ByroN BAy CommuNity ASSoCiAtioN

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GeneRAl MAnAGeR’s RepoRt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

pResident’s RepoRt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

secRetARy’s RepoRt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

tReAsuReR’s RepoRt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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coMMunity seRVices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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index of RepoRts

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2016 has been a busy year!

The Byron Community Centre continues to do amazing work on numerous fronts for our community. This annual report highlights the hard work, the creative energy and the extensive community engagement that has been delivered by a small core staff supported by a vast team of dedicated volunteers.

The work of the centre is guided by a small but talented volunteer management committee. The committee ensures we maintain a steady direction according to our purpose.Of course, every year presents its challenges but this year there have been many highlights:

• The Coffee Box social enterprise• Breaking Bread community event• Byron Community Cabin• Hot showers for the homeless • Street Life in Byron survey

• Emergency Relief survives beyond government funding cuts• Healthy Ageing programs keep on keeping on• Achieving 5 year market licenses to run 49 market events throughout the year• 5 years of No Interest Loans Scheme delivers loans to the value of $827,817• 200 theatre bookings• Meetings, meetings and more meetings!

All this activity happens because the staff and volunteers of this community enterprise want to ensure that we live in an inclusive, vibrant and tolerant town. All people have a place at the the Byron Community Centre table.

Thank you to all those contributors, sponsors, funders, customers and donors who support the continuation of our work. You are very much appreciated.

GeneRAl MAnAGeR’s RepoRt

Paul SpoonerGeneRAl MAnAGeR

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pResident’s RepoRt

The statistics, and the reality, of the Centre should continue to amaze our community. With very little local, state or federal Government support this Centre supports many, many community members in any given year. The Centre is the cornerstone of much that is still good about the Byron Bay community.

That being said, 2014/15 was a year that presented challenges to the Centre. We lost Federal funding for our emergency relief program. Emergency relief is a program that we had run since the 1980’s to the benefit of many thousands of our most at need community members.

However, the Association rose to this challenge by continuing the program by privately making up the lost funding. We didthis by directly using surplus moneys from the community market to fund the ER program, and through generous contributions from the community.

For many years now the Centre has strived to be compassionate, but we have also sought to operate efficiently. The ability to continue Emergency Relief without Government funding vindicates many of the tough operational decisions that this, and previous, management committees have made over the last several years.

A big thanks to the members of the Committee of Management, both as a committee and as individuals they worked hard to maintain the high standards of corporate governance and sound decision making that has been a hallmark of the Centre over the last few years. Special mention should go to Trevor Sleep who filled in when the General Manager Paul Spooner took extended leave; and to Michael Moriarty who worked very hard to get the Byron Safety Net Appeal up and running.

Jason ArthurtonpResident

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We are lucky to have such wonderful & committed staff. cAt & celeste performed incredibly well under very stressful situations (I have to mention BRuce here as well). tess & MAjidA & CARl continue to improve community markets. BARB and her team are the financial rock that keeps the Centre solid. tAnjA & Mouche continue to refine the operations of the venue. And they were lucky to add ChRistiAn this year to manage the Bar. cheRie (and pip) are once again the WD40 that keeps the place running smoothly. The Centre is incredibly ably led by our General Manager, pAul spooneR.I have said it before, and I will undoubtedly say it again – the Centre is nothing without its VolunteeRs. We have over three hundred volunteers (a few too many to mention). We are extremely grateful for the work of our volunteers. And I hope that those that choose to volunteer at the Centre are proud of the work of their Community Centre.

The entire management committee thanks our staff and volunteers for the incredible job they did this year. We should all be incredibly proud of the work we do for the community.

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secRetARy’s RepoRt

It is a great honour to serve on the Committee of Management of the Byron Bay Community Centre. For my part I can’t but feel pride when I compare the dire position we were in a decade ago, to the relatively healthy position we are in today. Every new program and service that we offer the community is testament to how far we have come.

The credit for this successful journey is spread amongst so many wonderfully community minded people. An engaged and stable Committee of Management, the multitude of amazing day to day volunteers that are committed to keeping the place going, and of course our wonderful and loyal staff.

This year we lost Tess Cullen – who was much more than a market manager. She has been with the Centre for almost the entire decade, and her all-round contribution has been more noticeable since she departed. Mouche Phillips also departed this year, she was the driver and the brains behind the cultural aspects of the Centre.

Cherie, Tanja, Majida, Carl, Barb, David S., Grant, Jeanie, Pippi, Cat, & Lyn have also now been at the Centre a fair while, and their experience and skills make such a valuable contribution to the ongoing running of the place. Relative newbys like Celeste, Shanti, Karen & Christian are gaining experience while still bring a freshness to the way we work. Finally, Paul Spooner has been the leader of the Community Centre nearly a decade – and deserves much credit for the “re-birth” of the Centre.

thAnk you All foR youR contRiBution.

With the skills, experience and dedication of our wonderful staff and volunteers we put ourselves in the best possible position to face challenges that arise and to continue to serve the community.

David SweetsecRetARy

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tReAsuReR’s RepoRt

I would like to begin my report by again thanking Barbara Stander and her small team of volunteers for their efforts during the past year. Without them the Treasurer’s task would be much more difficult.Earlier this year Barbara successfully migrated the MYOB accounting system to a PC platform which will allow us to provide improved management reporting in the future.I would also like to thank our General Manager, Paul Spooner and my fellow committee members for their support through my recent ill health.

coMMunity AssociAtionA loss of $29k for the FY.The reduction over last year’s profit is primarily due to income being down $32k year on year and a reduction in management fees of $19k.In the expense column salaries and wages increased $46k (10%) advertising expenses rose $8k and there was a book adjustment of $20k in movement for annual leave provisions. Overall income was down $46k and expenses were up by $45k.

cRown ReseRVe tRustA surprisingly good profit of $55k in contrast to the $5k loss in the prior FY. Whilst income rose by about $13k, primarily due to continued improvement in both bar and catering revenues, a $31k reduction in expenses was the major contributor to profits.

Interest expense was down $8k following our decision to hold our cash reserves in a mortgage offset account, event expenses were down $10k and wages were down $19k in part because last FY we were effectively paying two General Managers for a 3 month period.It is particularly pleasing to note that the strategy of paying the mortgage monthly, rather than annually, has worked as planned, with a saving in interest payments and a mortgage debt reduction from $758k to $675k during the period.Overall the Association and Trust remain in a sound cash position although we could say this has been a year of consolidation rather than growth.Early indications are that the new financial year will bring similar trading conditions so I believe it is imperative for the long term future of the organisation that we actively work to identify areas for expense reduction.Finally, this will be my last treasurer’s report as I have decided to pass on the baton. Paul Aroney, a previous external member of the finance committee, has agreed to take on the role and I wish him all the best for the future.

Trevor SleeptReAsuReR

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VolunteeRs

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Events like Breaking Bread, Soul St and Seniors Day were staffed by volunteers from all over the shire.

We have orientated over 60 volunteers this year.

Pippy has put 50 Work Development Order volunteers through the volunteer program.

At least 10 people have joined the BCC volunteer program under the Work for the Dole program.

VolunteeRs week 2016

jiM’s pick on the Monday of Volunteers Week

usheR tRAininG

wellness dAy was a beautiful and successful event to celebrate Volunteer Week that was open to all Byron Shire volunteers: •40 practitioners donated their time and expertise.•170 volunteers from around the shire received individual therapy sessions.•100 volunteers attended various workshops.•Lisa Herbert created “Frida’s Kitchen” – a pop- up café in the courtyard. •Over 13 local businesses donated to the cafe.

VolunteeR expo 2016“cheers for Volunteers”

27 organisations paid and 24 participated on the day.

80 members of the public attended sprung integrated dance troupe & performed a beautiful and emotive piece

Angela Mathrick continued to do our graphic design.

liz jackson catered for the breakfast. It was wonderful!

$200 worth of produce was donated by local businesses and Farmers Markets.

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ByRon shiRe VolunteeR huB

HuB TEAMPaid staff: pippy & cherieVolunteer interviewers: daphne, Michelle, & Anna Admin support: Geraldine Data base support: christine Graphics: david

huB VolunteeRs inteRViewed & RefeRRed

Around 300 ApplicAtions have been lodged and interviews have been done in 2016.

huB oRGAnisAtions

3 Organisations currently advertising positions vacant with us.The Hub has referred volunteers to at least 75% of the positions vacant listed.

tRAininG

A total 18 volunteers from the BCC, Markets and other organisations attended the subsidized St John’s Delivering First Aid.16 volunteers from 5 organisations enjoyed the subsidized Accidental Counseling Workshop.

It is interesting to note that during the last 7 years (of my reign) the following volunteers have been converted to paid staff (my empire expands):

Venue & BAR: Tanja | Christian | Jeannie | Linda | Clancy | Cart Taylor (and markets) | Grant Martin (and markets) | David S MARkets: Greg Curry | Robbie Cameron | Doug | Georgie | Toni | Nicole (and finance) nils: Shanti ByRon shiRe VolunteeR huB: Pippy (and finance coMMunity seRVices: Celeste | Cat

AwARds

dAVid stewARd won the 2016 nsw VolunteeR of the yeAR AwARd!

VolunteeRs

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Volunteering at the BCC continues to diversify and deepen. The traditional and roles of reception and box office continue to keep the Centre running daily. Administration positions have evolved into specialized roles that enhance and add value to all areas of workLike a little microcosm, volunteer roles have developed or been offered in support of other volunteers: NLP sessions for volunteer with Stephen, Who’s in the House articles written about volunteers by Michael, Jim/ Pete’s Pick of the Movies each month, Wellness Day caterers, masseuses and readers, Sound Bath meditation facilitation with Pippy and Cameron.As volunteer coordinator, the thing I find most gratifying is watching transformations. Some who enter the building to volunteer come with some resistance or struggle, and everyone comes with a story. The majority find that the BCC is a place where volunteers can renew and revitalize, a place in which confidence can be regained and skills rediscovered and expanded. Many volunteers this year have left the program because they have found employment.

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Venue

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Venue RepoRt

I’m proud to say that the Theatre has been particularly busy this year, with more bookings than last year – That’s oVeR 200 BookinGs compared with 150 in 2015. This year has been a mixture of movie screenings, music events, conferences, community events, dance events & festivals, guest speakers, comedy, circus and school performances.

Ticket sales have also increased from last year by approx 1000 sales and the amount of sold out shows in 2016 hAs douBled. Some fabulous sold out events this year included: kAte MilleR heidke, the VAGinA conVeRsAtions, local performer ZiGGy AlBeRts (x2), lukA BlooM, cAlexico (uSA), funny man dAVe huGhes, deB conwAy, the oceAn filM festiVAl (already booked 2 nights for 2017), RoMeo & juliet by Melbourne City Ballet, uBuntu AfRicAn choiR, AnnuAl nAidoc week MoVie eVent, local band toRA, and everybody’s favorite comedian with her hilarious show woMen like us.

Some other highlight events & festivals this year have included the tAste of loVe festiVAl, tweed shiRe council koAlA confeRence, the ByRon lAtin fiestA, the ByRon tAnGo festiVAl, shAkespeARe liVe scReeninG (celebrating 400 years since his death), A niGht with kAte teMpest, otto & AstRid in supeRMusiciAn, country rocker RyAn BinGhAM, Triple JJJ pretty boy dustin teBButt and the amazing ed kueppeR.

The calendar for next year is already starting to look very full. Some shows to look out for include: The return of our beloved Byron Bay Surf Festival, Lennon-Through a Glass Onion also returns for it’s 25 year anniversary, funny girl Kitty Flannigan, Puppetry of the Penis, Katie Noonan and both the Melbourne Ballet Company and Melbourne City Ballet return to grace us with some exquisite dance performances.

In addition to the many high profile shows that visit the theatre, the dedicated local clients who book the theatre

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multiple times a year cannot be overlooked. These include: Byron Music Society, Bright Lights Performance School, Byron Ballet, the many local dance schools, the local primary schools, Byron Writers Festival, Northern Rivers Screenworks, New Earth Tribe and the Byron Shire Council.

This year, the Byron Theatre was able to fill a gap in the marketplace for the local community when the Palace Cinemas closed down for renovation. We became “The Byron Cinema”, screening regular special movie events through a partnership with some national and international film distributors. Of the 38 movies screened this year at the theatre, 19 of those were National Theatre Live movies & other filmed special events. This initiative has made a net profit to the venue of approximately $7,500.

The theatre received $10,000 in federal government funding for new equipment earlier this year, which was then matched by Byron Community Centre. It was a huge boost for the theatre as we were able to update & expand the facilities where required. This included purchasing new

computer software to enable us to screen Digital Cinema Projection (DCP) for all the special event screenings, as well as a fantastic new Epson AV data projector. The Byron Bay Film Festival were ecstatic with the upgrade. Movies have never looked so good!

In January 2017, the Centre is teaming up with local business, Kidzclub, to hold children’s craft workshops upstairs. In conjunction with this partnership, the theatre will be programming some awesome family events. Some of the great shows we have lined up are Fluff: The Story of Lost Toys, some rollicking pirate circus shows and African drumming workshops. This is an effort to attract more tourists and families into the Centre during the peak period to increase awareness of the theatre, and to make the Centre a more vibrant place during this important high tourist season. We also hope the cross marketing between local business data-bases will be beneficial for future audience development in the theatre. I strongly believe that the increase in sold out shows this year can be attributed to better marketing strategies and a more targeted approach to advertising shows.

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This year has seen a change around in venue staffing. While we said a sad goodbye to Mouche Phillips as she headed back to Sydney to make her mark, we welcomed Carl Taylor, Linda Jackson & Grant Martin to the Venue Team. Carl is now run off his feet as Meeting Rooms Manger (see report below), Linda joins Jeannie Merritt & Cherie Bromley as an Event Co-Ordinator, and Grant had his path carved out for him as Ticketing & Promotions Manager after all the fantastic work he does at the box office & the poster advertising for all theatre events. Cameron Mercer & Clancy Western are still the regular theatre technicians who do outstanding work for all events. They are also joined now by David Steward, who has been given a regular role as theatre projectionist for our movie screenings. We were all very proud of David when he won 2016 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award earlier this year. Finally, Christian Evans is still keeping the Byron Events Bar a happening place to hang out with friends before all events (see report below). As well as the super staff, many thanks go out to my key venue volunteers: Jim Beatson, Lyn Ruming, Christine Starzynski, Greg Curry, all the dedicated box office operators & the theatre ushers.

i look foRwARd to An incRediBle 2017…

MeetinG RooMsThe meeting rooms have been very busy this year, with regular repeat clients such as DnD Productions/Jeffrey Slater who use both the Cavanbah and Verandah Rooms for 8 days at a time, 4-5 times a year. They tell us that they love using the Centre. Jeffrey Slater used to hold workshops in various locations around Australia, but now gets his participants to come to Byron for all his workshops! This booking has resulted in 2 spin off clients who now use the Cavanbah Room exclusively for their own workshops. Word is clearly getting out there about how good our Centre and it’s facilities are.

We have implemented a new user friendly ‘key safe’ system to access the meeting rooms this year which has worked extremely well. It saves the hirers the cost of an opening fee when no additional room assistance is required other than entry. We also installed some modern strip lighting into the Cavanbah room as the room was very dark for some purposes.All meeting rooms have shown a rise in bookings between 2015 to 2016.

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service. Some key volunteers include: Jeanine Mckenzie, Sue Wiseman, Natalie Cox, Sabine Muschter and Luke Simpson. Trevor Sleep and Hernan Saez form the Logistic and Strategy side of the team providing help in stock control and stock supply.

The wine list has been completely renewed. Good quality wines at a very affordable price have allowed the bar to profit more out of each bottle. White wine list includes: ‘Mr Smith’ Chardonnay, ‘Beechwood’ Sauv Blanc, ‘Shaw’ Riesling and ‘Waihopai’ Pinot Grigio. Red wine list includes: “Gemstone” Organic Shiraz and Merlot, ‘Shaw’ Cab Sav and Cab Merlot (Pinot Noir will be added soon). Also, we have implemented a new strategy to bring the ‘Grandin’ piccolo in from a wholesale supplier which results in a saving of over $3,000 annually on champagne.The list of soft drinks and juices have also been updated. We now have almost a complete range of Organic drinks at a cheaper price compared to previous years.

Renovations to the Bar have included the installation of a glass washer. This improvement now means safer conditions for volunteers, quick re-usability of glasses and

The cAVAnBAh RooM has increased from 205 to 230 bookings in the same period. The VeRAndAh RooM has jumped surprisingly from 174 last year to 220 this year.The liGhthouse RooM, which has replaced the Pass for bookings after Interrelate left last year, has also shown very healthy growth with an increase in bookings of more than 100%: 135 compared to just 58 last year.

In addition to the upstAiRs confeRence RooMs, we have also added the ByRon coMMunity cABin to our list of rentable spaces. (See feature below)

ByRon theAtRe BARHaving a social drink before a theatre event has never been more enjoyable. The renovations & ambiance in the courtyard has improved tremendously due to the hard work & dedication of the bar staff & volunteers. They have built a high performance team able to provide top service to patrons, while still maintaining safety in all areas and keeping to budget. The bar has no trouble dealing with 250+ patrons, providing a very friendly & professional

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earlier finishes for the Duty Officers. The purchase of a new freezer has also meant less ice wastage. Currently a $3 bag of ice can last up to two weeks instead of the ‘1 bag per event’ method used previously. This is an annual saving of approximately $500 just on ice.

Some major events for the Bar this year have been: the Byron Latin Fiesta, Arts Classic, The Byron Tango Festival and Byron Bay Film Festival.

coMMunity cABinByron Community Centre was very excited to take possession of the keys to the old Girl Guides Hall on June 1 this year as an additional space to manage for community events. We have affectionately renamed it “The Byron Community Cabin” and there has been no turning back in the popularity of this facility.

It has allowed smaller community groups, who struggle to afford our conference meeting rooms, to meet weekly for little or no fee. Groups that utilize the Cabin include Byron

Youth Theatre, Byron SLAA, Breast Cancer Support, Public Act Theatre and Pre Natal yoga. It is also a popular space for massage bookings.The Cabin even hosted a wedding this year which transformed the space & the gardens into something really magical.

The use of Community Services to provide showers twice a week at the Cabin, has gone a long way to help our homeless feel cleaner and improve their self esteem. The numbers who use these facilities has been steadily increasing to the extent that over summer, the shower service times will need to be extended to accommodate the high demand.

The Byron Community Centre also assisted in setting up a Coffee Box outside the Centre which became fully operational in May this year. What a treat!The Box is a welcome addition to the building offering hot drinks & delicacies to the community, as well as playing a vital role for women escaping domestic violence by offering valuable barrister and hospitality training for re-introduction into the work force.

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coMMunity seRVices

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coMMunity seRVices

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This has been a year of growth for Community Services at the Byron Community Centre with the launch of a number of exciting new initiatives directly responding to needs of our community.

At the end of 2015 we held the BReAkinG BReAd coMMunity feAst; a picnic for the whole community, providing free food to all who attended. This feast brought together over 500 people to celebrate the generosity and unity of our Byron Bay community, and was followed by our AnnuAl chRistMAs senioRs conceRt.

Early in the year we launched the coffee Box, an inspiring social enterprise that trains and supports local women to move out of disadvantage. The team developed the program as a response to the increasing number of women approaching the Centre for support and to begin filling the gap in supported, locally relevant employment pathways. Women undertake an eight week training and work experience program in the BOX, being supported to increase their skills, their confidence and their inclusion within Byron community. The program is currently in the pilot phase, but it is estimated that upward of 24 women will participate in the program over the next year.

We were fortunate to receive funding from the ETC Community Support Fund and Australia Post. Our Neighbourhood Grant to kick-start the Coffee BOX. All profits from the BOX go back into the community, funding vital community services and providing training for local women. The Coffee BOX also has a ‘Pay it Forward’ scheme, and over 500 people in our community have already bought a coffee at the BOX for someone in need.

A big focus of our work has continued to be in response to homelessness, an issue which increasingly impacts upon the most vulnerable in our community. Since the closure of the Fletcher Street Cottage in 2015, many people have been unable to access a hot shower in Byron Bay. This year we launched the showeR poweR seRVice at the Community Cabin providing free showers, care items, support services and social connection for local people in need. Byron Shire Council, FSG and The Family Centre have partnered to make this project a reality. Showers are now available twice weekly, and over 350 people have already accessed the service in the five months it has been running. We held our first Byron Care and Connect Day during Homeless Awareness Week. The event brought together members of our diverse community to support those

coMMunity seRVices

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experiencing homelessness and raise awareness of issues confronting those in need in Byron. Over 60 people shared free breakfast, haircuts, care kits, blankets, and winter clothes, with live music by local musicians entertaining the crowd.

The Community Service team coordinated the first stReet life in ByRon suRVey in partnership with Byron Shire Council and a number of other local services. The survey documented the experience of 96 people experiencing homelessness and sleeping on the streets. The outputs from this survey are being utilised to highlight the unmet needs of this vulnerable group and begin addressing gaps in support.We continue to provide our ‘Connecting Home’ service for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Over the past year we have worked with 160 people, providing support, referral and advocacy for them during these difficult circumstances.

the Bcc suppoRt seRVice continues to work with people in need in our community on a daily basis. In the past year, 960 families and individuals have been provided emergency

assistance to help put food on the table, pay their bills, keep the car running or access community supports. Since our emergency relief funding was cut in 2015, we have been able to continue to provide this service due to the ongoing donations from our community via the ByRon sAfety net AppeAl.

heAlthy AGinG ActiVities continue to take place at the Centre, with at least 55 local elders attending drumming, yoga and singing groups each week. The Life Journey Project has been rolled out via local aged care facilities and we were fortunate to receive support from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to enable us to expand this project. The project links volunteers with people living with dementia, to document their life story and engage in creative workshops that facilitate social inclusion and intergenerational bridge building. None of the incredible work that took place this year could have been done without the hard work and huge hearts of the volunteers, students and workers that make up the Community Service team. We look forward to another year of developing projects and partnerships that help to create a socially inclusive, connected and healthy Byron community.

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92 care kits distributed to people in need

30 life history workshops took place alongside people living with dementia

590 meals provided by Liberation Larder & Homeless Breakfast each week

160 people supported who were homeless or at risk of homelessness

350 hot showers accessed by vulnerable community members

24 women participated in the Coffee BOX training program

Over

500 coffees ”payed-forward” to people sleeping rough in Byron

500 people provided free food at the Breaking Bread Community Feast

3,600 frozen meals given out from the Centre

960 people assisted through the BCC Support Service

180 pairs of jeans given to those experiencing homelessness

55 seniors sang, danced, stretched weekly

coMMunity seRVices

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ByRon coMMunity

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Our aim is to enable clients to realise their own economic wellbeing, as they define it themselves, through appropriate financial services. As a result, people feel valued, accepted, included and in control of their own finances and lives.No Interest Loans SchemeOur No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) Program continues to be a progressive example of people and community working together. Our life-changing no interest, no fee loan remains one of the only safe, fair and affordable alternatives for people on low incomes who are excluded from mainstream finance. This year 64 loans were written totalling $56, 269. Women, many of whom were single parents, were the primary borrowers at over 70% per cent of all loan recipients. The average loan amount was $880 with the most popular items purchased being computers followed by vehicle registration and repairs.

Human dignityRespectSocial justiceAudacityCompassionReconciliationV

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32% of loan clients were living exclusively on the disability support pension

40% of loan clients were parents, of which 73% were single parents

70% of loan clients were women

$56,269 Loaned this year

$827,817 Loaned to date

651 Clients to date

top loAn iteMs22 cars back on the road14 Computers6 Medical procedures 5 Washing Machines

VolunteeRs4 new volunteers have joined our team!10 volunteers give their time on a weekly basis to the NILS Program. over 1,450hrs clocked by volunteers in the NILS office this year!

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Addsup

Addsup is a partnership between NAB and Good Shepherd Microfinance. The program supports clients who have never saved to develop a positive, long-lasting savings habit. We support people on low incomes who have successfully paid off a NILS loan to open an account and save $500, which is then matched dollar for dollar by NAB.We’ve been running AddsuP here at the BCC for almost 3 years. It aims to enable people on low incomes transition to financial independence, through regular savings and inclusion in the mainstream banking system.This year, our program had the second highest number of clients to reach their matched savings goal of $500 out of all the AddsuP providers nationally. We saw $15,500 in matched savings going out to our clients! Maureen Lightfoot has recently taken on the role of Adds up Volunteer, She’s gotten off to a great start reaching out to clients and kicking off what we hope to be another successful year of Addsup.

31 Clients had their $500 savings matched through the Addsup savings plan

$15,500 Matched.

2nd highest number of clients reaching their goals out of all Addsup providers nationally.

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Money MAtteRs

Money Matters is a free budgeting service helping people identify where their money is going, how best to save and, most importantly, how to get on top of bills! Money Matters supports locals to build their capacity to become self-sufficient in managing money and developing greater financial literacy.Linda Marheine, our Money Matters Volunteer, spent an average of 1.5 hours with each client offering support and advice through her tailored one-on-one sessions. “I feel that when someone feels out of control in any area of their lives there can be a flow on to other areas. I have felt great satisfaction when past clients have arrived for our session showing signs of suspicion, anxiety, hopelessness, and embarrassment and then left excited, hopeful, and confident”

Special thanks to Volunteer Bruce Heid, who has recently moved on from BCC, for his dedicated service to our community. Bruce gave many hours of work to both the NILS and Community Services departments.

Thank You Bruce!

fARewell & thAnks

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ByRon MARkets

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The markets department at the Byron Community Centre Runs oVeR 49 eVents in Byron Bay eAch yeAR. That’s a lot of events over 52 weeks and there is never a dull moment in the markets team! We run 14 Community mARkets, 4 BeAchside MARkets and 30 ARtisAn MARkets plus the soul stReet new yeAR’s eVe MARket. The money generated from these events fund the great works the Byron Community Centre does. Most markets these days are run for profit, however we are proud to be run as a social enterprise with the market revenue going straight back into building and enhancing our community. The markets also provide much needed employment for local residents – enabling oVeR 450 sMAll Businesses with a place and a customer base to trade with. 2016 has been a really big year for the markets team with many changes. Firstly, we were successful in winning the Byron Council tender for the 5 year licences for all three of our markets – the Community, the Artisan and the Beachside Markets. It was a colossal effort and I’d like to send a big thank you to everyone involved.

We’ve also had some staffing changes. After seven years, we lost our previous market manager, tess cullen. We’d like to send Tess a heartfelt thank you for all her hard work and dedication managing the markets. Tess left some very big shoes to fill and we wish her all the best of luck in Armidale. Majida Steinfeld stepped into the interim manager role and she did a great job keeping this busy department running smoothly. I started in late April and I really appreciate Majida’s ongoing support and patience as I’ve learnt the ropes. We’ve introduced an online pAyMent systeM for the Community Market. This is a work in progress and it is going well with great feedback from our pilot stallholders. We’ve been working on improving the market grounds and facilities at Butler St. Works include tree planting days which included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony with our Indigenous brothers. We’ve also received approval to use Crown Lands to extend stallholder parking and successfully petitioned council to renovate the toilet block. We’re also working on enhancing the market experience with brightly coloured bali flags to designate streets and add

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to the festive atmosphere. We’re encouraging stallholders to improve their sites by running a most improved stall competition and making sure we set the standard by completely redecorating our Information Tent. We’ve also been strengthening relationships with key stakeholders groups including our stallholders, the Byron Farmers Markets and the other community markets in the shire through regular meetings to enhance collaboration and the sharing of ideas. Our environmental efforts continue and we will be undertaking a waste audit shortly. The Beachside Market continues to be a fantastic day out and is well loved by stallholders and punters alike for both the location and the eclectic mix of stalls. Majida has been managing all the beachside markets and is doing a great job. We are also very excited to be launching special events nights at the Artisan Market to bring in the locals. Our first event in December 2016 - Comedy in the Park - will be MC’d by Mandy Nolan.

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Byron Community Markets

360 stalls

4 Beachside Craft markets

200 stalls

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Artisan Markets Summer Season

(October – March)

40 stalls

Soul Street NYE Market

100 stalls

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I would like to thank everyone who makes up a part of this great big market family and contributes to the market’s success. We couldn’t do it without you!

Byron Markets are always a great day out.

Come join us!

• showcase the creative talent of our region to the world that walk through the streets of Byron Bay

• support local families and individuals through employment opportunities

• support local residents via a priority system

• support local charities and give access to a larger fundraising public

• showcase local musicians through paid performances

• create active public space that allow for many aspects of our community to come together

• create healthy family friendly events and environments in Byron Bay

• support the sustainable provision of locally developed and managed social programs

• allow for partnerships between the BCC and the local community

• create a sense of identity and ownership of our region

within the stRuctuRe of the ByRon coMMunity centRe ouR stAff And helpeRs ARe nuMeRous:

• 2 MAnAGeMent stAff: Karen Pieper & Majida Steinfeld • 16 cAsuAl stAff: Carl Taylor | Phil Biggar, Grant Martin| Greg Curry | Toni Collins | Pippy Wardell | Georgie Milnn | Carole Gray | David Stewart + 8 casual helpers• The wonderful infoRMAtion tent VolunteeRs – Astrid Worts & Betty Dengate – who faithfully man the Information Tent at each market• All the fantastic VolunteeRs At office Reception, AdMin suppoRt, infoRMAtion tent helpeRs & MuG stAll helpeRs.

As An inteGRAl pARt of the locAl coMMunity these MARkets:

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in AppReciAtionMAnAGeMent coMMitteeJason Arthurton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Stuart Amos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deputy PresidentTrevor Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TreasurerDavid Sweet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SecretaryJani CollinsMichael MoriartyDon PageTricia ShantzHelen Hamilton

key stAffCherie Bromley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteers CoordinatorTess Cullen . . . . . . . . . . . Market Manager (resigned January 2016)Karen Pieper . . . . . . . . . Market Manager (commenced May 2016)Majida Steinfeld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Market ManagerTanja Greulich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Venue ManagerMouche Phillips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Events ManagerJeannie Merritt, Linda Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . Event CoordinatorsCarl Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meeting Rooms ManagerGrant Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ticketing and Promotions Manager

Cameron Mercer, Clancy Western . . . . . Theatre TechniciansDavid Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theatre ProjectionistCat Seddon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Services CoordinatorCeleste Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Welfare CoordinatorShanti Desfours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NILS CoordinatorBarbara Stander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Finance AdministratorPaul Spooner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Manager

suppoRteRs• Liberation Larder• Byron Bay International Film Festival• Northern Rivers Social Development Council • Northern Rivers Community Gateway• Lismore Financial Counselling Service• Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre • FSG Australia• The Family Centre• Bay-FM• Byron Shire Echo• Byron Shire News• First National Real Estate

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• The Barefoot Barista• Byron Bay Coffee Company• Apartments Inn• Stone & Wood• The Falls Festival• National Australia Bank• Byron Shire Council • Dept. of Social Services• ETC Community Support Fund• Australia Post• Connecting Home• Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal• Community Sector Banking• Goodsheperd Microfinance• Stronger Communities Program

VolunteeRsTo the many, many wonderful volunteers - it is not possiblewithout you!

thAnk you!

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69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481 02 6885 6807 www.byroncentre.com.au