July 19, 2023
It’s been 10 years since the Red Earth Community Foundation was officially launched in the South Burnett, which was a good excuse to gather together recently to celebrate, reflect and set out a vision for the future.
Supporters, sponsors and graduates from the Red Earth Community Leadership Program gathered for dinner at Kingaroy Town Hall to mark the Foundation’s 10-year milestone.
The evening included a series of panel discussions with businesspeople and leadership program alumni.
These explained the history of the not-for-profit association, the reasons why local businesses have supported Red Earth and the experiences of alumni undertaking the two-weekend “school camp for adults” course at the Bunya Mountains.
Preliminary meetings to discuss the formation of a local philanthropic organisation date back even earlier than 2013, springing from an idea by founding member Karen Seiler’s “100-year vision for her grandchildren’s grandchildren” to build a stronger and more resilient community.
The initial plan was for Red Earth to be simply philanthropic, setting up opportunities for residents and businesses to donate or bequeath funds which could then be distributed to support positive initiatives in the local community.
Volunteers were urged to donate their “time, talent and treasure” to build a community legacy.
Chair and foundation member Georgie Somerset AM quickly identified a need for leadership-building opportunities, so Red Earth extended its vision to include organising an annual leadership program backed up by regular networking events for alumni.
Since 2014, more than 200 residents from the South and North Burnett have progressed through the Community Leadership Program, building “connectedness” across the region.
Local businesses and organisations have supported their employees to undertake the course, developing a cohort of like-minded people with insight into their ability to create positive change.
Many Community Leadership Program alumni have later taken up senior positions across the Burnett.
Over the years, Red Earth has spread it wings … extending its reach into the North Burnett from 2018, funding research into the economic future of the Burnett Inland, and auspicing various community initiatives such as Kingaroy’s “Big Peanut” statue.
A Red Pitch night, where local groups “pitched” their ideas for support, raised more than $11,000.
A campaign – run in conjunction with the South Burnett Regional Council – also attracted donations to assist farmers affected by the 2013 floods.
One of the main panels at the Anniversary Dinner discussed future projects and fundraising opportunities for Red Earth.
Deputy chair John Carey announced the formation of a Red Earth Future Fund, which will also include a number of “sub-funds”.
A collaboration agreement is also being drafted with RES, the developers of the Tarong West Wind Farm project.
Another project in the works is co-designing a leadership program with the Cherbourg community and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal.
