Help build a new Dispensary at Cobargo

Help build a new Dispensary at Cobargo

From Shona Taranto

I’m raising money to re-establish The Dispensary at Cobargo, Far South Coast NSW. A professional Naturopathic clinic providing the best in complementary health for locals and visitors to the Sapphire Coast NSW.

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Update #2

over 2 years ago

Fundly Campaign update.

Dear friends, family and campaign supporters,
I'm writing with an update - to all the wonderful people near and far who supported and donated generously to my Fundly bushfire recovery campaign.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that it’s been a long time since the campaign, and many of you may have wondered from time to time what has been happening with the recovery and rebuild plans for the re-birth of my business, and similarly wondered as to the broader bushfire recovery progress of our local community here on the Far South Coast.

Recovery has been oh so slow at times… (those of you who are local here will know exactly what I mean). It’s certainly been a long journey for us all in the district and indeed the nation in bushfire recovery— especially with the added and ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic which hit so soon after the bushfire disaster.

We are now at a point we can share the good news regarding the business re-establishment, albeit very early days and with tender new steps!

After much deliberation, given the times with COVID 19 and other various challenges in 2020-2021, not least our responsibilities on our farm business also affected by the bushfire disaster and COVID 19 restrictions, we have finally decided to take the plunge and relaunch the naturopathy consulting side of my business in a new clinic space.

We are excited and humbled to now re-open the naturopathic consulting side of my business under the new name.

SAGE HEALTH STUDIOS.

SAGE HEALTH STUDIO, BERMAGUI
Shop 4 /2-6 Lamont Street (entry door on Montague street)
(Entry via Montague street, opposite the Reflections Caravan Park).

The clinic is a 1 room studio, now re-furbished and I look forward to welcoming both existing and new clients.

I will be offering face-to-face appointments with COVID safe practices and protocols in place Thursdays and Saturdays, and we now also offer Telehealth appointments.

We are also pleased to unveil a brand new business website :

www.sagehealthstudios.com.au

Jump on the website and have a browse!

Alongside Sage Health Studio Bermagui, we also look forward to relaunching and reconnecting in Cobargo village as a part of the ‘COBARGO BUSINESS HUB’ project. An important bushfire recovery initiative funded by Business Council of Australia (BCA), set to be constructed and in full operation February 2022.

All of this would simply not have been possible without your support over 2020-2021, through your messages, phone calls, cards, friendly chats in the town and through your support of my Fundly campaign.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you, for your genuine care, your patience, your compassion, along with all the encouragement and heart-felt messages we have received over the months of 2020/2021!

To all who gathered around us and supported us, thank you, words cannot describe it, we are deeply grateful!

MY PERSONAL RECOVERY STORY - VOLUNTEER ROLES

My Personal Recovery story not only includes the reopening of my business but also my involvement in the community through volunteer work and determination to help rebuild our devastated community.

Since the Black Summer Bushfire Disaster and my personal experience of the firestorm, I've thrown myself heavily into volunteer bushfire recovery work (If you are local, you will know this is a common story - so many have stepped up to assist in the time of need and are still in these roles in various capacities to this day).

My personal response to the sheer scale of the natural disaster and the devastation of the Mega Fire to our region was wanting to assist the community - a fierce drive to be part of the recovery process and contribute to positive change for the future.

The community knew from the get-go this was going to be a long haul recovery, a marathon of sorts. We needed a plan for the short term and immediate needs, the intermediate goals and importantly also the long-term bigger picture recovery for the village and surrounding region. We had to ask the hard questions of what the community needed to recover and how we were best able to mobilise and attract necessary resources. A sustained effort was essential to see the distance to be able to achieve meaningful long term outcomes.

I put my hand up to become Chairperson of a bushfire recovery group, ‘Cobargo Quaama Business Recovery Group’ (CQBRG). Initially as an unincorporated group with a steering committee of locals, we got to work quickly, advocating for needed relief, support and resources for the local bushfire affected business community. Fast-forward and the CQBRG was successfully incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation in June 2020, and currently holds a membership of some 70+ local business owners as members.

I’ve remained the Chairperson and am honoured to be supported by such a dedicated and caring committee to underpin our work in the bushfire recovery space.

Some of the bushfire recovery projects coordinated by the CQBRG committee to date include:

Advocating for a timely clean-up of Cobargo main street debris, including clean up of asbestos waste.

Obtaining and Hand-out of 40+ Business Council Australia “Re-tooling vouchers” to local eligible fire affected business owners to replace lost tools of trade. Equating to over $80,000 being put back into the local economy.

Forming the property owners subcommittee, bringing together the property owners of the destroyed commercial blocks in the heart of town to ask the hard questions of what was needed to recover and to assess the benefit of navigating the challenges facing us.

Re-design and reinstatement of the ‘BUSINESS DIRECTORY’ signage (advertising local tourism businesses and trades/ services) at the Cobargo United Service Station.

Facilitating Business Council Australia’s (BCA)’s first meeting with Cobargo in February 2020, and assisting the coordination of the organisation’s support for the local community. This includes the BCA voucher scheme grant support to local organisations (mentioned above) and the ‘Cobargo Business Hub’ bushfire recovery project.

Assisting coordination of the BCA’s ‘COBARGO BUSINESS HUB’, a flagship fire-resilient building to house fire affected businesses and support their relaunch in the village in a supportive environment.

Engaging the Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) , as a partner organisation and assisitngwith the coordinationnand roll -out of ABV Skilled Business Professional 1:1 business mentoring program to CQBRG membership , a pro-bono support program to assist during the ‘rapid change' businesses had to tackle post fire sand COVID 19 pandemic.

REBUILD COBARGO PROJECTS - MAIN STREET REDEVELOPMENT

Without a doubt however, the largest undertaking of the CQBRG Inc over 2020-2021, in partnership with the Cobargo Co-operative Society Limited, has been driving the formulation of a large scale grant submission for the REBUILD COBARGO main street redevelopment.

The project details concept plans for the rebuild and revitalisation of the large section of Cobargo main street precinct that was razed to the ground due to the Badja Forest Road Bushfire Disaster.

The final grant submission to ‘Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund’ (Federal and State Government combined funding) was submitted Jan 28 2021.

This project, driven by the CQBRG with the assistance and pro-bono inputs from several partner organisations has seen the formation a new not-for-profit company, the Cobargo Community Development Corporation (CCDC) Limited, as the prime applicant for the grant.

This project is an innovative and ground breaking community ownership model. The project development has been the culmination of countless volunteer hours, sheer determination and grit of all involved to drive this vision forward at all stages - it has been, without exaggerating, nothing less than an extra-human effort.

We are truly grateful for all who have been involved, not only to the individuals contributing to our various committees and subcommittees, but also importantly our partner organisations, offering their services and assistance often in a pro-bono or significantly reduced cost capacity :

TBH (Tracey Brunstrom and Hammond) Project Management
TAKT Architecture / SJB Architects
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV)
Cobargo Co-operative Society Limited

The grant submission would just not have been possible to deliver with these organisations contribution to bolster and support the ongoing volunteer work of the internal committees and subcommittees.

We thank them, and also importantly we thank the communities of Cobargo and Quaama for their contributions to the ongoing community consultation processes.

On 30 June 2021, we were advised by Mr John Barilaro, Deputy Premier of NSW on that:

“I am delighted to inform you that your applications under Stage Two of the NSW BLER Fund was successful and Revitalise the Cobargo CBD has been awarded up to $9,611,992.00 in funding.

Your project is one of 195 locally led applications that were selected to receive funding across fire impacted regions in NSW and will collectively contribute to rebuilding the economic and social wellbeing of communities in NSW.

 The Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) led the merit-based assessment of all applications against the eligibility and assessment criteria published in the Program Guidelines. Independent probity advisors from both the Australian and NSW governments provided oversight to ensure a robust, fair and transparent process was followed.”

The CQBRG Inc. and CCDC Limited could not be more pleased with the successful result, a testament to the hard work by so many, and the sheer determination and drive behind this community led project.

For further information and for the opportunity to download a copy of the REBUILD COBARGO ‘Summary Document’ which gives an overview of the CCDC grant submission and concept plans, please visit the CCDC website: ccdclimited.org.au

More Info

On NYE 2019, The historic village of Cobargo was devastated by the catastrophic bushfires in Australia.

My professional Naturopathic clinic and shop burnt to the ground, along with many of the other loved businesses.

The town was historic, and as such the buildings were built from classic colonial materials, a majority from stone and wood. Unfortunately insurance companies do not cover for fire in these instances.

This fundraising campaign is to raise funds to help re-establish my place of business and all proceeds will go directly to the re-build.

 The Dispensary Cobargo was a unique space, the interior of the clinic and store hand crafted by us. We so very much want to be an ongoing part of this beautiful and strong community and offer our farm produce , health foods and professional services to locals and visitors to this region in 2020.

Please help us re-build this community!

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Shona Taranto posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #2

Fundly Campaign update.

Dear friends, family and campaign supporters,
I'm writing with an update - to all the wonderful people near and far who supported and donated generously to my Fundly bushfire recovery campaign.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that it’s been a long time since the campaign, and many of you may have wondered from time to time what has been happening with the recovery and rebuild plans for the re-birth of my business, and similarly wondered as to the broader bushfire recovery progress of our local community here on the Far South Coast.

Recovery has been oh so slow at times… (those of you who are local here will know exactly what I mean). It’s certainly been a long journey for us all in the district and indeed the nation in bushfire recovery— especially with the added and ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic which hit so soon after the bushfire disaster.

We are now at a point we can share the good news regarding the business re-establishment, albeit very early days and with tender new steps!

After much deliberation, given the times with COVID 19 and other various challenges in 2020-2021, not least our responsibilities on our farm business also affected by the bushfire disaster and COVID 19 restrictions, we have finally decided to take the plunge and relaunch the naturopathy consulting side of my business in a new clinic space.

We are excited and humbled to now re-open the naturopathic consulting side of my business under the new name.

SAGE HEALTH STUDIOS.

SAGE HEALTH STUDIO, BERMAGUI
Shop 4 /2-6 Lamont Street (entry door on Montague street)
(Entry via Montague street, opposite the Reflections Caravan Park).

The clinic is a 1 room studio, now re-furbished and I look forward to welcoming both existing and new clients.

I will be offering face-to-face appointments with COVID safe practices and protocols in place Thursdays and Saturdays, and we now also offer Telehealth appointments.

We are also pleased to unveil a brand new business website :

www.sagehealthstudios.com.au

Jump on the website and have a browse!

Alongside Sage Health Studio Bermagui, we also look forward to relaunching and reconnecting in Cobargo village as a part of the ‘COBARGO BUSINESS HUB’ project. An important bushfire recovery initiative funded by Business Council of Australia (BCA), set to be constructed and in full operation February 2022.

All of this would simply not have been possible without your support over 2020-2021, through your messages, phone calls, cards, friendly chats in the town and through your support of my Fundly campaign.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you, for your genuine care, your patience, your compassion, along with all the encouragement and heart-felt messages we have received over the months of 2020/2021!

To all who gathered around us and supported us, thank you, words cannot describe it, we are deeply grateful!

MY PERSONAL RECOVERY STORY - VOLUNTEER ROLES

My Personal Recovery story not only includes the reopening of my business but also my involvement in the community through volunteer work and determination to help rebuild our devastated community.

Since the Black Summer Bushfire Disaster and my personal experience of the firestorm, I've thrown myself heavily into volunteer bushfire recovery work (If you are local, you will know this is a common story - so many have stepped up to assist in the time of need and are still in these roles in various capacities to this day).

My personal response to the sheer scale of the natural disaster and the devastation of the Mega Fire to our region was wanting to assist the community - a fierce drive to be part of the recovery process and contribute to positive change for the future.

The community knew from the get-go this was going to be a long haul recovery, a marathon of sorts. We needed a plan for the short term and immediate needs, the intermediate goals and importantly also the long-term bigger picture recovery for the village and surrounding region. We had to ask the hard questions of what the community needed to recover and how we were best able to mobilise and attract necessary resources. A sustained effort was essential to see the distance to be able to achieve meaningful long term outcomes.

I put my hand up to become Chairperson of a bushfire recovery group, ‘Cobargo Quaama Business Recovery Group’ (CQBRG). Initially as an unincorporated group with a steering committee of locals, we got to work quickly, advocating for needed relief, support and resources for the local bushfire affected business community. Fast-forward and the CQBRG was successfully incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation in June 2020, and currently holds a membership of some 70+ local business owners as members.

I’ve remained the Chairperson and am honoured to be supported by such a dedicated and caring committee to underpin our work in the bushfire recovery space.

Some of the bushfire recovery projects coordinated by the CQBRG committee to date include:

Advocating for a timely clean-up of Cobargo main street debris, including clean up of asbestos waste.

Obtaining and Hand-out of 40+ Business Council Australia “Re-tooling vouchers” to local eligible fire affected business owners to replace lost tools of trade. Equating to over $80,000 being put back into the local economy.

Forming the property owners subcommittee, bringing together the property owners of the destroyed commercial blocks in the heart of town to ask the hard questions of what was needed to recover and to assess the benefit of navigating the challenges facing us.

Re-design and reinstatement of the ‘BUSINESS DIRECTORY’ signage (advertising local tourism businesses and trades/ services) at the Cobargo United Service Station.

Facilitating Business Council Australia’s (BCA)’s first meeting with Cobargo in February 2020, and assisting the coordination of the organisation’s support for the local community. This includes the BCA voucher scheme grant support to local organisations (mentioned above) and the ‘Cobargo Business Hub’ bushfire recovery project.

Assisting coordination of the BCA’s ‘COBARGO BUSINESS HUB’, a flagship fire-resilient building to house fire affected businesses and support their relaunch in the village in a supportive environment.

Engaging the Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) , as a partner organisation and assisitngwith the coordinationnand roll -out of ABV Skilled Business Professional 1:1 business mentoring program to CQBRG membership , a pro-bono support program to assist during the ‘rapid change' businesses had to tackle post fire sand COVID 19 pandemic.

REBUILD COBARGO PROJECTS - MAIN STREET REDEVELOPMENT

Without a doubt however, the largest undertaking of the CQBRG Inc over 2020-2021, in partnership with the Cobargo Co-operative Society Limited, has been driving the formulation of a large scale grant submission for the REBUILD COBARGO main street redevelopment.

The project details concept plans for the rebuild and revitalisation of the large section of Cobargo main street precinct that was razed to the ground due to the Badja Forest Road Bushfire Disaster.

The final grant submission to ‘Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund’ (Federal and State Government combined funding) was submitted Jan 28 2021.

This project, driven by the CQBRG with the assistance and pro-bono inputs from several partner organisations has seen the formation a new not-for-profit company, the Cobargo Community Development Corporation (CCDC) Limited, as the prime applicant for the grant.

This project is an innovative and ground breaking community ownership model. The project development has been the culmination of countless volunteer hours, sheer determination and grit of all involved to drive this vision forward at all stages - it has been, without exaggerating, nothing less than an extra-human effort.

We are truly grateful for all who have been involved, not only to the individuals contributing to our various committees and subcommittees, but also importantly our partner organisations, offering their services and assistance often in a pro-bono or significantly reduced cost capacity :

TBH (Tracey Brunstrom and Hammond) Project Management
TAKT Architecture / SJB Architects
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV)
Cobargo Co-operative Society Limited

The grant submission would just not have been possible to deliver with these organisations contribution to bolster and support the ongoing volunteer work of the internal committees and subcommittees.

We thank them, and also importantly we thank the communities of Cobargo and Quaama for their contributions to the ongoing community consultation processes.

On 30 June 2021, we were advised by Mr John Barilaro, Deputy Premier of NSW on that:

“I am delighted to inform you that your applications under Stage Two of the NSW BLER Fund was successful and Revitalise the Cobargo CBD has been awarded up to $9,611,992.00 in funding.

Your project is one of 195 locally led applications that were selected to receive funding across fire impacted regions in NSW and will collectively contribute to rebuilding the economic and social wellbeing of communities in NSW.

 The Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) led the merit-based assessment of all applications against the eligibility and assessment criteria published in the Program Guidelines. Independent probity advisors from both the Australian and NSW governments provided oversight to ensure a robust, fair and transparent process was followed.”

The CQBRG Inc. and CCDC Limited could not be more pleased with the successful result, a testament to the hard work by so many, and the sheer determination and drive behind this community led project.

For further information and for the opportunity to download a copy of the REBUILD COBARGO ‘Summary Document’ which gives an overview of the CCDC grant submission and concept plans, please visit the CCDC website: ccdclimited.org.au

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Shona Taranto posted a new update:
about 4 years ago

Update #1

Update: We have just hit 25 % of our fundraising goal!

This is heartwarming for us. A big thank you to all whom have donated thus far, sent messages of love and support and also to those of you who have taken the time to share this campaign. Thank you for supporting us and helping us to stand strong with our community!

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