LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed over $456,000 in progressive announcements by the NSW Government which benefits the Lismore local community under its Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 3.

Ms Saffin said she had strongly supported many of the successful projects, and now joined with Government representatives Ben Franklin and Adam Marshall in congratulating community groups and councils.

“Round 3 allocated $100 million for community projects in regional New South Wales, and $50 million for youth-related projects, now even more important with youth feeling anxious about their future because of COVID-19,” Ms Saffin said.

Ms Saffin said successful projects included:

·         Young Women’s Christian Association NSW Northern Rivers’ Youth Arts Café, Goonellabah -- $195,000.

·         One Vision Productions’ creative arts-based wellbeing programs for high school students in the Lismore and Ballina electorates -- $110,000.

·         Lismore Swans AFL Club’s new white PVC fence at Mortimer Oval -- $115,000.

·         Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) to establish a youth theatre hub -- $106,000.

·         Lismore City Council and Richmond River Riders Incorporated towards upgrading Nesbitt Park BMX dirt track to an asphalt pump track -- $99,769. 

·         Rekindling the Spirit Limited’s upgrade of Shearman and Elders Park, Goonellabah -- $56,315.

·         Lismore PCYC towards a new air-conditioning system and purpose fitted doors for exercise rooms -- $50,261.

Some of the successful projects have been announced by the Lismore App but the $106,000 for NORPA to establish a youth theatre hub has been missed due to more high profile stories about NORPA's survival in the recent Council Operational Budget Plan for 2020/21.

Now, that has been secured with funding restored to $180,000 (reduced from a contracted $260,000) at last weeks council meeting, we can talk more positively about the Youth Theatre Hub.

Artistic Director at NORPA Julian Louis said the grant was over two years which kicks off in 2021.

"The grant allows us to employ someone to manage the program and fund productions", Julian explained.

"In a couple of weeks we will be asking parents and their children for expressions of interest in youth theatre. So, if your child enjoys drama, acting, dancing, improvisation or even being the class clown be running some workshops plus one or two productions per year".

There will be a fee charged to parents for these workshops with more details to come from Julian and the team at NORPA.

In the meantime, there is some excellent news for theatre goers with Julian announcing the first shows at NORPA now they are allowed to open (still under the 4 square metre rule) from July 1.

There will be some music shows with dinner offered throughout the month of August.

Seating will be for 50 people set out in the lighting with jugs of sangria before enjoying the show.

"We are itching to kick it off", Julian said.

More details to come in the coming weeks.