Remote communities in northern NSW have been strengthened by community connection, empowerment and funding
The Tenterfield Shire, on the northern border between NSW and Queensland, is home to the small but strong communities of Jubullum, Tabulam and Drake. Although locals hold expert wisdom about recovery and resilience, as they are frequently impacted by floods and fires, they are often overlooked when it comes to inclusion of community voices or priorities for funding.
Over the past few years, the Fire to Flourish Tenterfield team, led by Kamilaroi Elder Aunty Helen Duroux, have been working to change that. They have dedicated time and energy to building close partnerships with local community and Indigenous groups in this region – for example, Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) and Gungyah Ngallingnee Aboriginal Corporation – while promoting unity and inclusiveness in their approach to disaster resilience.
The goal of these strengthened ongoing partnerships, with support from local Elders, is to support disaster resilience using community empowerment while providing funding that is tailored to local priorities and draws on the existing strengths of those who live there.
Years on, and with Fire to Flourish Tenterfield coming to a close at the end of this year, the true positive impacts of these strengthened relationships and tailored community support are being felt and appreciated by locals, including Gungyah Ngallingnee Aboriginal Corporation.
“Over the past 18 months, our community has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis through the Fire to Flourish Project,” Gungyah said via Facebook in September.
“This pioneering initiative has secured significant funding, enabling us to revitalise infrastructure, develop innovative projects, and enhance essential services. We look forward to continued growth, positive transformation, and a brighter future.”
In recognition that remote towns often miss out on disaster recovery investments, a Fire to Flourish Tenterfield funding round was dedicated to Jubullum, Drake and Tabulam in 2024, which resulted in new community projects being funded in these communities earlier this year.
A group of local community members came together regularly to design this round, and determine which projects would be funded to best meet their communities’ needs. Each funded project uses local wisdom and existing strengths to further build resilience through community empowerment and self-determination.
Here are a few highlights of these community projects, showing the true impact of this kind of funding for local communities.
Jubullum Stadium Upgrade
Fire to Flourish Tenterfield funding supported a much-needed upgrade to the Jubullum Stadium, including a new and improved office for Gungyah Ngallingnee Aboriginal Corporation, improvements to the playground, a new shade sail, and a boomerang garden in the park.
Jubullum Tuckerbox improvements
Jubullum Tuckerbox is a crucial hub for the community – a safe meeting place for families and community groups. With support from Fire to Flourish funding, improvements were made to the Tuckerbox kitchen and meeting rooms to ensure it remains an open community facility, and a new fence was built around the facilities so that a local playgroup can operate safely. The local playgroup has been a huge success, attracting support from other local and distant communities, including generous donations.
BMX bikes for local students at Tabulam Public School
Fire to Flourish funding supported Gungyah Ngallingnee Aboriginal Corporation with six new bicycles as part of a program run by Tabulam Public School, which is now boosting students’ participation in lifelong healthy habits through sport and recreation. This BMX initiative gives students the opportunity to learn and practise fundamental bike control skills in a safe and engaging environment.
Among the young people in Tabulam, BMX biking is well-enjoyed, and fosters fitness, independence, confidence and connection with nature. Learning new skills and achieving riding milestones builds resilience and self-esteem, while group rides promote teamwork, inclusion and positive peer relationships.
Looking ahead, the students aspire to participate in school-based mountain bike competitions and community social events. Should further funding be acquired, the students have also suggested that they would like to be involved in building shared trails for riders and walkers from the Jubullum Village to the Rocky River, giving them access to safe trails in their own backyard outside of school. This hands-on involvement will not only strengthen their connection to place but also encourage pride, cooperation, and community engagement through shared outdoor spaces.
Another strengthened connection through the result of Fire to Flourish is between local Indigenous groups and the Red Rum Dumgan-Banji First Nations Harley Riders, who have started visiting regularly to give free rides to community members, and maintain strong and positive relations and support.
This photo of Red Rum Dumgan-Banji First Nations Harley Riders was taken by Gungyah Ngallingnee Aboriginal Corporation.
Other local initiatives and spaces supported by Fire to Flourish Tenterfield include:
- Support for parents, Jarjums and community: Including water safety for Jarjums, a 'Mothers and Jarjums Play 2 Learn Early Childhood Meeting Place', and support for women's mental health and wellbeing through cultural activities and connection.
- Clean Up Jubullum: To investigate if scrap steel, cans, bottles or car batteries can be collected and sold to build sustainability and extend the program.
- A new Football Field for Jubullum’s Turtle Divers.
- Wahlubul Men’s Group: BBQ trailer and supplies, travel and catering budget, and culturally appropriate advisor to assist with development of this new organisation.
- Drake Hall Upgrades: Future-proofing this important community space, including a kitchen upgrade, air conditioning, lighting and electrics.
- Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) support: Depot clean up, fit out and machinery repairs; building a website, graphics, communications, distribution of information and repairs made to the large public noticeboard; support with making premises secure, and upgrades to power.
- Elders Portraits: A display for the Memorial Wall, to be constructed in the near future, that will honour local Elders for tirelessly supporting resilience in Jubullum.
- Strengthened significant local places and spaces: Improved road access for ambulances and emergency vehicles into town.
The work done by Fire to Flourish Tenterfield in Jubullum, Drake and Tabulam is an example of what is achievable when communities are given the power, support and investment to build their own resilience, on their own terms, using their own strengths.
Coming to the end of 2025, residents are seeing the true impact of innovative community-led work, for locals and by locals, that is making a real difference to future disaster-readiness.