Almost $30,000 of funding will be shared between four innovative, grassroots ideas for the community, thanks to Community Bank Hervey Bay and Geldard Sherrington Lawyers.

The funds will be shared between the Judges’ Choice and Community Choice winners of the recent Community Innovators Pitch Night.

Excitingly, two additional ideas impressed the judges and sponsors so much, they were given financial support to get off the ground, despite not winning on the night.

Judges’ Choice

The Judges’ Choice Award went to the Rotary Club Sunrise of Hervey Bay, for their Dads Read Differently proposal.

A total of $2,500 will go towards supporting community events encouraging dads to read to their kids.

Community Choice

After two weeks of public voting, Bayside Transformations emerged victorious in the Community Choice competition.

The local rehabilitation centre received $2,500, which will go towards upgrading their popular op shop and supporting ongoing programs.

In a major additional funding announcement, $23,000 has been awarded to the Digital Gardens project, presented by Urangan Community Wellness Centre Coordinator, Gena Davis.

This project will lead to interactive storytelling experiences being installed throughout the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens.

Finally, $1,000 was allocated to the Multicultural Choir pitch, aimed at improving connection and creativity in our multicultural community.

HBNC’s Enterprise and Development Manager, Cate Akaveka, said it was exciting to see so many innovative community ideas receive funding.

“Grassroots, community-led ideas have so much potential to positively impact our community,” Cate said.

“Thank you to all those who pitched their ideas on the night, and thank you also to our wonderful event sponsors, Community Bank Hervey Bay and Geldard Sherrington Lawyers.

“We are already on the lookout for pitches for the next Community Ideas Pitch Night. If you have an innovative idea to strengthen our community, visit https://www.hbnc.com.au/community-pitch-night to share your pitch.”

About Pitch Night

Pitch Night is an opportunity for local innovators to step up and present their ideas to improve the Fraser Coast.

Have your ideas heard, get some momentum going and maybe even win some funding!

This initiative has supported changemakers like The Wandering Teapot, Hope in a Suitcase Hervey Bay, Outreach Doctors and Bite the Blue.