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. 

As the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program culminates in the South Coast communities, one of the biggest impacts has been the growth in the people that have delivered the program.

The Community Facilitators have not only held the space for conversations, nurtured the roadmaps, listened deeply to community; they have also gained important skills and knowledge around leadership, storytelling, “Art of Hosting” techniques and a deeper cultural understanding. Along with many other wonderful social impact skills, these will be an asset to their communities for many years to come. 

Last week Monique, Kate, Steph and Carolyn had the chance to connect in person, reflect on the last few years and enjoy a wonderful lunch at The Cup’N’Cake’N’Co, a social enterprise that was initially seeded with an IRCF start up grant in 2020. It was wonderful to be together and feel the connection that has been forged through shared experience in delivering this impactful program. 

The team also took the time to gather a parting gift for each of the 50+ organisations we have been on this journey with over the last five years, with special items from a few of the social enterprises who have been partners in the IRCF journey on the South Coast. 

Much gratitude to facilitators: Monique Carson, who has been on this journey since the first roadmapping in Ulladulla and always gives above and beyond; Kate McBride, who has stepped up with poise and confidence in the Bay and Basin Community; Stephanie Chiu, who in a deeply connected way stepped into the Batemans Bay community with such impact; and Leah Szanto who supported the Bega Valley community with such professionalism and commitment. A deep and heartfelt thank you to Kate Dezarnaulds, Jules Klugman, Meg Stratti, Natalie Lloyd and Bree Morgan who supported their communities in the program.

The IRCF program is not possible without the key element of investing in people and engaging local facilitators who are part of and know their community deeply, these committed individuals who do so much in their two days a week with us are the key reason for the incredible impact this program has delivered. Thank you all for your generosity, humour, kindness and sharing of your love for community.