Last night we had a chilly and cheery Awesome Newcastle as we rugged up and entered the first week of winter at The Criterion in Carrington.

Three returning guests board members generously contributed to June’s Awesome Newcastle,  Brooke Stevenson and Louise Kipa from Persona Communications and original Awesome Newcastle custodian, Emma Levine of Awabakal. We also welcomed two first time guest board members, Lauren Monaghan from Muloobinba and Sophie Benjamin from MYOB.  Two kind volunteers gave their time as well, Simon McCarthy, the timekeeper and Teegan Diamond, the photographer.

Our finalists were Sophia Cruden of Table and Flower, (middle) Naomi Hodgson of Pachamama House (right) and Tiana Jarvis of Lawn Liaison (left).
Sophia wen first. She’s a mum with a creative heart, currently working in admin. She told us that over Covid she began a sustainable designer tabletop rental business, Table And Flower. Her business hires out all your entertaining needs (tablecloth, placemats, napkin, napkin rings), and she’ll post it to anywhere in Australia. Then you can send it back with the prepaid label provided, and she’ll wash and clean before re hiring. It’s more environmentally friendly and affordable than buying your own. She told us she would use the money to iron out issues on her website.

Naomi went next. She’s an environmental activist and a volunteer manager for Pachamama House, a not-for-profit community resource centre in Hamilton. She wants to create a hot-desk space at Pachamama for change makers and environmental/ social justice advocates. She believes there is a great need for shared work space for the progressive, not-for-profit community in Newcastle. She would use the money to freshen up the place by painting the walls, frame the artwork, and buying potted plants.

Our final finalist for the evening was Tiana of Lawn Liason. She told us how she’s an extroverted civil design technician who moved to Newcastle last year and was looking for friends. She created Lawn Liaison, a social event business working towards making it easier for adults to connect and make friends. She wanted to provide an activity that is an icebreaker and something people have to communicate with each other while playing, starting with lawn bowls. She would use the money to put on an event and also for marketing pre and post event.The judges took their time deliberating and discussing; it was clearly not an easy task. 
At last a decision was reached, so we welcomed Sophie to the stage to give away the money and she awarded it to Sophia from Table and Flower, congratulations and best of luck to your new endeavor!
Thank you again to Naomi and Tiana for your presentations too! Please remember, applications never expire, so there’s a chance we might get you back again for another Awesome Newcastle. If you haven’t applied yet, apply today via our website, and we’ll see you in July!