Red Earth Community Foundation chair Georgie Somerset with two of last year’s Leadership Forum guest speakers, Bega Cheese executive chairman Barry Irvin and Natalie Egleton, from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (Photo: RECF)

August 9, 2023

Red Earth Community Foundation has requested South Burnett Regional Council contribute $25,000 towards its upcoming Leadership Forum in Murgon.

The not-for-profit association has also asked Council to waive the $500 fee to hire Murgon Town Hall for the event.

Council officers put forward a recommendation at Wednesday’s Liveability standing committee meeting that the requested sponsorship be provided.

However, after a query from Cr Jane Erkens, it will not be considered until after an invitation is sent to Red Earth representatives to address council.

The motion to lay the request on the table was passed unanimously.

The forum, which has the topic of “Circularity”, is due to be held on September 7.

Guest speaker will be Professor Veena Sahajwalla, from the the University of NSW, who specialises in recycling science.

Tickets for the event have already gone on sale at $55 per head, which the submission from Red Earth said will not cover the full cost of catering for the estimated 100 people expected to attend.

The sponsorship sought would also include $8000 for the forum co-ordinator, $2500 for the compere and $2500 for the event to be videoed.

Red Earth will contribute almost $16,000, including an $8000 staff and project administration fee and $7500 worth of volunteer hours.

The group’s inaugural Leadership Forum, held at Murgon Town Hall last year, was funded by a grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

UPDATE August 28: The Red Earth forum has been postponed to October 31. 

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Haly Street in Wondai around 1910 … the arrival of the railway in 1903 accelerated the growth of the town, which will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of the now-defunct rail service on September 14

A community celebration to mark the 120th anniversary of the day the first steam engine arrived in Wondai will receive a $2868 community grant from Council.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Councillors were told the Wondai Lions Club was auspicing a community celebration on September 14 to mark the occasion.

A highlight will be the unveiling of a plaque and the sealing of a 30-year time capsule in a plinth that will be mounted near Coronation Park’s clock and emu statue.

Members of the public who attend the time capsule’s interment at 5:00pm can enjoy a free sausage sizzle, which will be followed by a special dinner at the Wondai Diggers Club for those who book tickets.

The Lions Club approached the Council for assistance because the event falls outside the Council’s usual community grant rounds, which occur every February and August.

Councillors agreed to the request unanimously.

  

 

3 Responses to "Council Queries $25,000 Request"

  1. Wow, this is rather a very bold move on the part of Red Earth. In my mind that investment which is requested will not benefit a great deal of ratepayers or community members. Curb the spending is required by council in these tougher times.

    Community groups have to think smarter, act smarter just like general business does.

    Money doesn’t grow on trees Red Earth committee! Well done, Cr Jane Erkens for questioning this extreme amount of money.

    Reply

  2. Comment from General Manager, Red Earth Community Foundation:

    For clarity, Red Earth did not request Council fund the full cost of the event ie. $25,000. The full cost was disclosed in a supporting document made available to Council ahead of the meeting.

    Red Earth recognises Council’s focus on developing a circular economy and is keen to offer local industry, businesses and councils the opportunity to participate and discuss their Circularity aspirations and activities.

    Red Earth appreciates Council’s consideration for financial and in kind support for the 2023 Red Earth Leadership Forum being held again in Murgon and looks forward to assisting Council with more information.

    Reply

  3. Red Earth’s intention may have been to seek only partial funding from the Council but this was not how the proposal was interpreted.

    If you look at Page 101 of the Agenda for the August 9 meeting (available on the Council Meetings page of the SBRC website) you will see Red Earth’s full proposal to Council, the project’s mooted budget and the recommendation of Council officers that the SBRC fully fund the event:

    OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION

    That the Committee recommend to Council that:

    1. Sponsorship be provided to the value of $25,000.00

    2. Hall hire fees for the Murgon Town Hall be waived to the value of $500.

    Reply

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