Community stories: 27 February 2025
Two former Community Facilitators have moved into positions where they can draw on the extensive knowledge they now have of their communities. This showcases why the IRCF model invests in local Facilitator roles – so that highly skilled local social impact practitioners become even more deeply embedded in the important work happening in their home communities.
After two years as the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program Bay and Basin facilitator, Kate McBride (pictured below left) is building on her wonderful work in a role with Uniting’s place-based initiative, Firefly.
Firefly supports and advocates for young people in the Bay and Basin through collaboration, working with the community and organisations for better outcomes and experiences for youth.
Kate said one of the many rewarding aspects of her time at FRRR was deepening her understanding of place-based work and seeing firsthand how it strengthens communities and improves outcomes.
“I loved my time as a Community Facilitator, making all the wonderful connections both in the Bay and Basin, as well as more broadly on the South Coast,” Kate said.
In her new position on the Firefly team as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist, Kate will assess the impact of Uniting’s place-based initiatives by tracking effectiveness, analysing data, and providing insights to enhance outcomes.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to remain connected to the Bay and Basin community, while also sharing learnings with others looking to foster similar place-based initiatives. I look forward to continuing to support and strengthen the vital work happening in our region and beyond,” Kate said.
Meanwhile Steph Chiu (pictured top right), former Batemans Bay Facilitator, has been engaged as Coordinator for the Eurobodalla Community Support Network (ECSN).
The ECSN is made up of Eurobodalla community members, community groups, service organisations and government agencies. Established to build connection during the Black Summer recovery, its purpose is to connect, share and collaborate to increase community resilience.
ECSN has been supported by the IRCF program, most recently through Toolbox funding for the Coordinator role, which will help ensure ECSN continues to function and flourish to provide social cohesion, capacity building and future resilience.
Steph believes a network such as ECSN is incredibly important for strengthening community resilience.
“Engaging in a network is a way to practice sharing and collaboration around larger issues that impact multiple sectors and groups,” Steph said.
ECSN has emerged as the only collective that has relationship with council, state and federal government. It currently represents 66 different NFP’s and government agencies.
