[Bermagui Community] Quaama Renewal Projects - what we've done, what's happening, what's coming soon!

[veronica abbott]

Good evening all

Sharing with you information about our efforts based in Quaama since the fires.

Quaama Renewal Projects, six months of great programs delivered with many more to come.

Quaama Renewal Projects (QRP) is the latest phase of the volunteer driven bushfire relief efforts that started in Quaama on Sunday 5 January 2020.  The name change reflects the shift from direct relief via the distribution of donated items to well-being, emotional support and community re-connection activities to help with the post-fire renewal of residents of Quaama and our surrounding communities.

QRP commenced delivering activities funded through the Bushfire Community Resilience and Recovery Fund (BCRRF) in June 2021 and under the auspice of the Quaama Progress Association Inc.  At the same time, the distribution of donated items was wound down and the physical presence in Quaama School of Arts Hall has now become a one day a week "drop-in" space for all community members every Wednesday.

Activities delivered so far include: remedial massage sessions provided by Samarpan; resting in goodness sessions led by Madhuma Thompson, two writing workshops with Marian Devitt, meditation and mindfulness sessions with Steve Chin, Plonk and Paint with Antionette Van Geet, frame drumming classes with Lynne Bowman; plaited raffia hat making with Fiona Firth and; introduction to equine therapy with Gini Eagle.  All of our activities have been extremely well received with great feedback.  We are so grateful to all the tutors, practitioners and teachers who have been involved so far and hope to have as many of them back in 2022 to deliver more wonderful experiences.
To come in early 2022 are mosaic crocheting, postponed due to covid and an indigo dyeing day both hosted by the Bega Textile Group and the meditation and mindfulness sessions will continue once a month from December 2021 until September 2022 - book here https://everi.events/event/13623286-a/meditation-and-mindfulness-for-healing-and-wellness-with-steve-chin .

Information about all activities are posted on the Quaama Renewal Projects Facebook page, circulated through the community email groups and listed on our Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/quaama-renewal-projects-33504562627 This is also where you register for all our events.

We are very keen to hear from anyone with an activity that fits within our project's aims.  We also invite those who brought us ideas in the last 6 months but held off confirming due to covid restraints.  Our biggest hope is for number limits to be lifted soon so that the funding we've received to run whole of community events can be used for a music night, bush dance and community trivia.  Soon we hope!

Alongside all these organised activities operates our community drop-in space.  We are open every Wednesday from 10am until 4pm in Quaama School of Arts supper room.  This space is for ALL in the community, where anyone can come for company, conversation, respite, distraction and connections as well as for sharing information, skills and bounty.   A special invitation is extended to any of our newer community members to take the opportunity to meet the broader community.

We have art and craft, gardening, tea and coffee and yummy treats as well as regular visits from agency and NGO staff currently involved in renewal and recovery in our valley.  So valued is this space, that our local Anglican Parish has donated funds to cover the hall fees for six months.  We are grateful to the parish for their support especially Bushfire Chaplain Garry South who is a regular visitor and lobbied on our behalf - thank you!

It has been a privilege to work for the community in the time since the fire and we are looking forward to all we can do in the future

Quaama Renewal Projects
Moving forward, sharing hope


Veronica Abbott
Quaama Renewal Projects
quaamarenewalprojects at gmail.com<mailto:quaamarenewalprojects at gmail.com>
phone<https://www.facebook.com/joxamara/shop> 0437263128
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/quaamarenewal

Quaama Bushfire Relief Community Fund
Acct name: Friends of Quaama Hall
BSB: 062505
Acct #: 10310035

https://www.gofundme.com/manage/quaama-bushfire-rebuild-fund


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