New Management Committee for the Byron Community Centre 

Welcoming The New Committee

The Byron Community Centre held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 2 November with a new Management Committee who will share their skills and expertise to help govern the not for profit organisation.

Helen Hamilton, who has been President for the past three years, and Jani Collins, who has supported the Community Centre since its inception in the early 1980s, have retired from the Management Committee.

“We sadly farewell Helen Hamilton and Jani Collins from the Management Committee,” says Louise O’Connell, General Manager. “They have both been wonderful advocates for the important community work we do. 

As President, Helen has steadily guided our organisation through some extremely challenging times, always leading with the best interests of our community. Jani has served on the Management Committee for an incredible 25 years, establishing important welfare connections as well as in the arts.”

"Byron Bay Community Association is an organisation that has always cared deeply about our community,” says Helen. “The past three years have been difficult but the organisation evolved and responded as new needs became apparent in our community. It has been impressive for me to see all the hard work of the past three years come together and to be part of the amazing team that made it possible. I know the incoming Management Committee will strive hard to capitalise on those gains. I wish them all the best."

The new Management Committee consists of Paul Jameson as President, Peter Tanner as Vice President, Paul Aroney as Treasurer, Tricia Shantz as Secretary, along with reelected members Laura Peck and Bruce Clarke, and welcoming new members Peter Upton, Karen Hillen, Brandon Saul and Garry Bargh.

“We welcome long standing committee members Paul Jameson as President, Peter Tanner as Vice President and Tricia Shantz as Secretary. We also welcome our new and reelected committee members and thank them all for the amazing volunteer support they provide in governing this important institution,” says Louise.

The Management Committee recently received the NSW Volunteer Team of the Year (Northern Rivers) Award to acknowledge their contributions to the local community.

“I joined the Byron Community Centre because it has an established reputation in providing services to the Byron Shire community, in particular those in need,” says Garry Bargh.

Our Work

 “The Byron Bay Community Association has laid the foundations to support our community across the arts, markets and through care for the vulnerable. We are excited to build on this great work and grow all these areas through our five year plan, “says Louise. 

In the past financial year, the Byron Community Centre invested 2.36 million into community through its community services, events and activities.

The diverse range of services included a community pantry, free community counselling, homeless showers and breakfasts, severe wet weather shelters, women’s groups, crisis accommodation and travel, $9,000 worth of material aid, 352 emergency relief sessions and family Christmas hampers, amongst others.

51 weeks of Homeless Breakfast were served during the year and over 1,200 breakfasts were given out at the COVID safe takeaway service, and 465 showers were provided to rough sleepers. The Byron Community Pantry, initiated by Helen in response to the COVID crisis, delivered 6,567 meals to 1,198 people in 533 households who were physically or financially unable to shop.

Our Mission

“People are facing difficulties due to economic and social conditions, in particular housing stress. Byron Community Centre has a role in advocacy and providing support services appropriate for our clients,” says Garry.

The future of the Byron Community Centre lies in the organisation’s connection to community and donor support. In the last two years, donations have increased by 600%, demonstrating community trust. The new Management Committee will continue to support the Byron Community Centre to improve services for our community’s most vulnerable, including the reopening of Fletcher Street Cottage.

“My hope for the future of the organisation is that community members keep showing up, with willingness to continue the ethos of ‘The Beating Heart of Byron and to be the voice for those who are not heard,” adds Jani.