Texas and District Drought Support is one of only three groups across Australia to be awarded $10,000 by Nestlé Professional.
Needless to say, their application must have really impressed the judges.
TADDS was founded in 2019 by a handful of volunteers to help support farmers and businesses during the drought. Since then, it has expanded its support services to help improve the social wellbeing of the entire community and is known as a safe and welcoming hub for all locals.
Along with the benefits of social connection, TADDS provides community members with access to education in areas such as life skills, financial literacy and mental wellness. It also provides assistance to those who need a hand with everyday tasks, such as filling out paperwork, setting up mobile phones and accessing computers.
Nestlé Professional General Manager, Kristina Czepl described the group’s services as both critical and wonderful.
“This hub has become such an integral part of Texas, and the programs facilitated by the team will continue to create community support opportunities and reduce social isolation.”
TADDS treasurer Ann Higgins said the group was thrilled to receive the funding, which would go towards helping farmers, local businesses, older folk and families.
“We are a community space that supports a largely ageing population, offering a hand to those who need it. We have been making do with basic facilities and minimal funds, so this $10,000 will have a remarkable effect on us and the impact that we can have on the community,” she said.
“We will invest the money into developing further services to support community members. We are planning on providing workshops in various areas, including life skills, financial literacy, mental health and wellbeing, art, and craft.”
TADDS initiatives include Mates Helping Mates morning teas so participants can get involved in the local community, Make and Create sessions, where people bring their favourite craft or hobby and share their knowledge with others and a Local Gift Card program that was started at the end of 2019, allowing hardship payments and other donations to be distributed, with the money only able to be spent at local participating businesses.
TADDS’ main aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community by helping people at a grassroots level. But like many local organisations, it has no continuous funding.
“We rely on grants and donations for our projects,” said Ann.
“We’re a small band of dedicated volunteers and it’s reassuring that others recognise what we are doing to make a difference in the lives of our community members.”
The Nestlé Professional promotion was titled Serve Your Community and was an expansion of the Celebrate Australia campaign in partnership with Rotary in Australia. It was based on four pillars – community, impact, expansion and realisation – and was open to Australian small businesses, clubs and community organisations. The other two recipients of $10,000 awards were the Aboriginal Investment Group and the Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre.
