It was destined to be a particularly heart warming Awesome Newcastle Wednesday night as we all gathered at Young Street Hotel in Carrington to listen and learn about great ideas in the community. This month we welcomed several exciting guest board members and the youngest member of the Awesome Newcastle community yet, baby Floyd!

This month’s guest board members included returning friend Jacqui Daley, first time member Ashley Tobin who came all the way from Canada, last month’s Awesome Newcastle winner James Bevin from Bangers on a bike and City of Newcastle’s Stephen Warham. Soon Steve and the City of Newcastle will be hosting their own inclusive sports pitch night, giving away $10,000. Check it out!

Our finalists were Cedar Whelan of the Communality Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH), Chris Jones of the LiveFree Project and Timothy Jackson of Twist on the Tales.

Cedar went first, bringing along Katherine McLean of the Hunter Writers Centre. Cedar explained that (CDAH) Writers and Hunter Writers’ Centre (HWC) are collaborating to create a spoken word event which will take place on the International Day of Disability (IDD), 3rd December 2024, called ‘Listen Up Now’. Listen Up Now will showcase the writing of 10 persons with disability from across the Hunter Region. If Cedar and Katherine can get funding, Listen Up Now will be free for all to attend and participate. Cedar said the Awesome money will go towards covering an AusLan interpreter, catering, equipment hire, printed marketing materials and a performer fee.

Chris went next. She explained that the LIVEfree Project is a Newcastle non-profit that addresses trauma, hardship, domestic violence, and isolation in low socio-economic areas. Chris was pitching the Student Mentoring Program which addresses the significant challenges faced by vulnerable youth in the community. Through personalised mentoring, they support students in achieving better grades and consistent school attendance.  The program includes 1:1 mentoring sessions, educational workshops, group activities, and community events. The cost of the Individual Mentoring program is $1800 for 1 student a year, and they would use the $1000 to provide one student on their waiting list with 40 sessions over a year.
Tim went next. He explained that he is a drag performance artist (Timberlina). Tim was pitching also on behalf of Li Laurent, a musician and psychology specialist (who was a previous Awesome Newcastle guest board member). Their project, “Twist on the Tales” rethinks the fairytale classics in a new, hilarious light. This inclusive event will provide a platform for performers to showcase their talents in a supportive environment. Individual performers will be selected and supported and then perform in a show held at Newcastle Museum later in the year. The Awesome money would go towards promotional materials, professional workshops  and videography. 

The judges, as always, had a tough task on their hands but decision must be made. After much deliberation, we invited James to the stage to award the money, and he passed the sack of cash along to Cedar! Congratulations Cedar!

We can’t wait to see how your event goes, Cedar, and we also want to remind Tim and Chris that applications never expire! There’s a good chance we might get you back for another Awesome Newcastle.
Thanks again to all involved, we can’t do it with out talented applicants and generous board members as well. How great are good people in the community and good ideas?!  See you next month!