Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund | $22,500
Kalbarri in WA was severely impacted by Cyclone Seroja in April 2021, including losing the Kalbarri Community Centre, an important gathering place, especially for young people. With locals still focussed on their recovery, there had not been the opportunity – nor the funds – to rebuild it. Without a venue, the town also hadn’t come together to celebrate the efforts of those who had been working hard to support the community’s recovery.
The Association decided to rectify that and also start fundraising to rebuild their meeting place by hosting a ‘classy, fun’ inaugural annual Community Gala. Using funds from DRRF, Kalbarri Development Association Inc. secured a marquee, erected and cleaned it with the help of many volunteers and staged a sold-out event. The Gala strengthened connections, thanked volunteers who helped rebuild and celebrated the community’s resilience. They also raised more than $20,000 to go toward a new community meeting place.
In this context, community events following the Cyclone in Kalbarri go well beyond a simple social occasion. Instead they help to build vibrant and healthy community life through times of adversity, which pays dividends in deepened social connection and inclusion, both before and long after the event occurs.
“Our inaugural Community Gala was the talk of the town. Not just for the weeks after, but also in anticipation of it. Planning what to wear, makeup, hair dos and the like, created a sense of joy and anticipation. Businesses benefitted with the sale of clothes and accessories, hair dressing and make up appointments. … people who went said “this is just what we all needed!”
Lauren Sweetman
