BUSHkids Annual Report 2022-23

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Annual Report 2022–23

FRIENDS of BUSHkids

Warwick 2023 saw a renewed surge of energy and enthusiasm for the Friends of BUSHkids Warwick Committee. We welcomed a number of new members, all keen to chip in and help wherever needed, both around the Warwick Centre and with fundraising and community events. The main community event this year was a BUSHdance held at the Churches of Christ One Table Function Centre on 26th August. For the first time in four years community members, both young and old, came out to dance, eat and enjoy the festivities. The FoBk crew all pitched in to create a festive bush setting, with scarecrows, native floral arrangements and other bushy touches to set the scene for the evening. About 100 people joined us for evening, with the music and entertainment provided by Band o’ Coots Bush Band . Peter Elsworth led everyone through a number of fast-paced dances, resulting in lots of laughter as everyone joined in on the crowded dance floor. There was such great feedback that it is hoped this will become an annual event on the BUSHkids Warwick calendar.

Bundaberg

Emerald

Friends of BUSHkids Bundaberg built on the success of the inaugural Scarecrow Competition held at Agrotrend in 2022 this year by incorporating it as part of the Bundaberg Show Fruit and Vegetable display coordinated by FoBk member Suzy Evans and sister Jenny. The display included a hands-on activity for children to dig to find vegetables and plants. Brown rice served as the soil and children really enjoyed this activity. The Scarecrow numbers entries increased from 8 to 12 this year with a variety of creative and colourful creations ranging from friendly to scary which provided a wonderful complementary visual display with the fruit and vegetable display in the pavilion. Feedback was also received from families that the quiet space in the pavilion for children to take some time away from the hustle, bustle and noise of sideshow alley was very much appreciated and a great add-on in the pavilion area. The Scarecrows and activity provided BUSHkids staff the ability to engage and connect with families in the community. The Scarecrow competition will continue to feature as a FoBk event in the community and both BUSHkids staff and the FoBk committee are eager to see participation continue to grow in this fun competition. FoBk member Scott Lamond has been instrumental in working with our BUSHkids Early Childhood Approach team in connecting with Queensland Cricket and Cricket Associations across our service areas as part of our Community Capacity Building project ‘All Can Cricket’. The project aims to establish and support the implementation of an Early Years Cricket program supporting the inclusion and participation of children with disability and developmental concern. This is an exciting project that will continue into the 2023-2024 financial year, and we look forward to seeing many children and BUSHkids staff on the cricket pitch in the upcoming cricket season!

All smiles for the Emerald FoBk vol unteer members at the annual Golf Day registration table.

It was an exciting year for Friends of BUSHkids Emerald as our Annual Golf Day was able to go ahead early August, after being cancelled twice last year due to weather conditions. Around 75 players set off in a ‘Shotgun’ Start, and both the course and weather were in excellent condition.

Even the scarecrow was tuckered-out after all the dancing at the FoBk Warwick BUSHdance.

A big thanks to everyone who was involved at the Golf Day as well as the planning leading up; acknowledgement goes to our special Friends of BUSHkids who always turn up cheerfully, our Emerald BUSHkids team, all sponsors, donators, and supporters, and of course the players. We are very grateful for the support of our major sponsors including Mitre 10. The town consistently shows their support behind BUSHkids, and with the Golf Day we were able to raise over $30,000. These funds will go towards sponsoring the Allied Health Assistant position which continues to make a positive BUSHkids difference in our Emerald community and has been supported by Friends of BUSHkids previously. $8,000 was also raised for BUSHkids by the Stadium Premier Fitness Emerald in June as they celebrated their third birthday with a Mas querade Ball. The ball was a huge success with around 100 people gathering to dress up, dance and celebrate. The Stadium is Emerald’s premier gym and operates in the Hub complex. A big thanks to the Stadium team for their ongoing support for BUSHkids.

The main fundraiser for 2023 was a multi-draw raffle, with all prizes being generously donated by many local businesses. There were prizes ranging from a TV, kitchen appliances, wine, meat vouchers, many children’s toys, beauty products and even honey. One lucky local family won three of the nineteen prizes. The raffle and BUSHdance raised approximately $1,600, which will be put towards equipment for the wonderful Nature Play Area. The opening of the new Nature Play Area on 21st September was definitely the highlight of 2023 for the FoBk committee and the Warwick Centre. The music was provided by the very talented “Melomaniacs” , a group of singers who performed throughout the day, even enticing a few dancers up to add to the party atmosphere. Rotary Club of Warwick Sunrise provided a free sausage sizzle and BUSHkids arranged a coffee van and shouted everyone drinks of their choice. Mother Nature came to the party as well, with a beautiful warm Spring day especially for the event.

Bundaberg staff and FoBk volunteers gathered in cele bration of National Volunteer Week.