
Awesome August is Amazing
Last week we gathered together again at The Criterion to give away another round of no-strings-attached cash, $1000 to be exact.
This month we were thrilled welcomed three guest board members, James MacDonald of NewyTechPeople, Scott McShane of Life Without Barriers and Mel Histon, Got Your Back Sista.
We had three finalists with very different ideas, we welcomed Louise Burr of Perky Pod, Peter Bleus of Solidarity House and Colleen Mullins of Newcastle DV Committee.
We chatted and mingled with everyone and then got down to business.
Louise told us about Perky Pod. She told us she’s a civil engineer, and she and her husband have innovated a new kind of planter pots that uncomplicate plant care and takes the guesswork out of keeping plants alive. They’ve worked with local Newcastle industrial design firm to develop a detailed prototype, and they would use the money to invest in creating a professional website.
Colleen told us that her organisation and several other similar groups have formed a collective that meet together monthly to developing resources for the Domestic and Family Violence Sector. The committee is collaborating with other local services, organisations and activists to coordinate the 2022 Reclaim the Night march on the last Friday of October. She would use the money to go towards the cost of PA and lighting hire, fees for keynote speakers and entertainers, council venue hire fees and promotion.
Peter is a building designer with a dream to create sustainable housing for homeless women by building small dwellings at the back of peoples existing residential blocks. Rent would be capped at or below 30% of income to minimise financial hardship and for the dwelling to be financially self supporting. He told us he would use the money for accounting advice and to setup a company and financial structure for the project to ensure that it will be self supporting and financially viable.
The judges had a tough task in front of them but they got down to business and discussed and deliberated.
Eventually the votes must be cast. Our first time guest board member James passed the money to Colleen, congratulations! We can’t wait for the October March, and we’ll be sure to spread the word.
Thank you to our other finalists as well and also our generous board. Remember, applications never expire, so we might see you again at another Awesome Newcastle!