Ladybug Projects

04/09/2026

📣 Together with the Youth Think Tank Team (Y3T), we are excited to host a First Aid Course for young people aged 15 - 24 years.

⭐️ Date: Saturday 19 September, 9am - 4pm
⭐️ Lunch provided
⭐️ Venue: ICYOUth, 18 Vivian St, Inverell

😊 Participants who complete this workshop will gain a nationally recognised qualification - Provide First Aid HLTAID003.

📌 To register for this event, you will need a USI (Unique Student Identifier). Register for a USI (free) by visiting https://www.usi.gov.au/students/create-your-usi
If you have forgotten your USI, you can retrieve it by visiting https://www.usi.gov.au/students/find-your-usi

🛑 A USI is compulsory for us to register you in this course.

⭐️ This event is supported by the NSW Government and Regional Community Builders.

REGISTER AT: www.trybooking.com.au/DPBIZ

Saturday 19 September 2026 (9am - 4pm). A free event for youth aged 15-24 years. Youth who successfully complete the course receive a...

03/09/2026

🐞 FROM SMALL FARM TO HARVEST - a subsidised 6-week course to learn to grow food organically. Sign up for $35 per person.

🌱 Specifically targeted at small farm owners

🌱 Course will be held each Friday, 10 am - 12 noon for 6 weeks, on site at Evergrow Farm, 50 Havilah Park Rd, Little Plain (15 mins west of Inverell)

🌱 Register for $35 per person. This course is normally valued at $180 per person but is subsidised by FRRR funding.

🌱 Participants receive a professional grade seed raising set up, valued at $50

🌱 Hands on workshop which will cover soil health, food production without synthetic fertiliser and making the most of your small farm.

☕️ Morning tea included

📣 REGISTER AT www.trybooking.com/DPLRI

This opportunity is supported by the FRRR Future Drought Fund Communities Program.

24/08/2026

💥🎶 Battle on the Bank 2026
A youth-led event to showcase youth! If you're a soloist, instrumentalist or band and aged 12-24, sign up to share your talent at BOTB on Fri 25 September, 6-9pm in Campbell Park, Inverell.
This is an event hosted by the Youth Think Tank Team to celebrate youth performers and the last day of Term 3 🤩.

🟣 Cash prizes up for grabs
🔵 Giveaways
🟡 Food trucks
🟢 Free entry
🟤 Good vibes

💥 Register to perform at www.ladybugprojects.com.au/battleonthebank

💥 Follow the Youth Think Tank Team (Y3T) on Instagram

This event is sponsored by Sapphire Wind Farm 👏👏

Artwork design by Sophie from Y3T 😍

Ladybug Projects acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and connect. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

18/08/2026

📣 Grant Alert: Defibrillators for Sports Clubs

The NSW Government is offering $3,000 grants for sports clubs to install an AED / defibrillator.
Applicants are limited to one application per financial year. Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Apply at https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/local-sport-defibrillator-program-lsdp-2026/27

04/08/2026

🏆🎣 Some wins are especially rewarding!
We were thrilled to support Deano's Smoked Trout at Black Mountain to secure funding in a super competitive grant round, where fewer than 10% of applications were approved.

The funding will help Deano's expand into new markets, reduce waste and upscale operations.

From the outset, it's been clear Deano pours an incredible amount of care and hard work into his delicious, award-winning products and farm gate tourism.

Thank you Deano's Smoked Trout for trusting us to be part of the journey! Check them out at https://deanossmokedtrout.com.au/ or better still, go for a visit!

📷: Deano with Fiona and Christy from Ladybug Projects

31/07/2026

📣 Self Defence and Boxing for Ages 12-24 years (FREE)

⭐️ Starts Monday 10 August, 5.30pm - 7.00pm and runs each Monday for 10 weeks.
⭐️ Hosted at SAS Boxing and Martial Arts, 66 Ring Street, Inverell.

🥊 All equipment/kits provided
🥊 Beginners welcome
🥊 Participants can try a range of activities offered at SAS, including boxing and martial arts.
🔸Please wear comfy clothing🔸

All activities are delivered by SAS trainers.

📣 Register with Darren Finn 0419 518 493

This free program is funded by the NSW Government and supported by Regional Community Builders Inc.

SAS Boxing and Martial Arts Centre

22/07/2026

Young creatives aged 12 - 24 years are invited for the free 🎉✨MAGIC ROOM 💫 a FREE creative workshop where your imagination leads the way.

With guidance from Margaret O'Brien - Creative Bloom- Expressive Arts as Therapy, participants can choose to create sculptures, mixed media artworks, music, transform second-hand treasures into something new, or develop your own unique creative project. All materials are provided.

🌈 Open to all young people aged 12–24, with a special welcome to young people with disability.

🗓 Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October

⏰ 10am–1pm daily

🍎 Lunch and snacks are provided each day (please provide dietary restrictions when you register).

📍 Inverell Art Gallery, 5 Evans Street

🔍 BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: Please book with Margaret O'Brien, Creative Bloom Therapy, [email protected] or 0413 099 104.

On Saturday 3 October, family and friends are invited for refreshments to see what has been created by the participants.

📣 This project has been made possible by Regional Community Builders Inc and the NSW Government.

10/07/2026

🌿💰 GRANT SUCCESS STORY

We recently had the pleasure of helping the Inverell Bushwalking Club Inc secure funding for some practical safety equipment, including CB radios for communication in remote areas and a new first aid kit.

The club has a fantastic program of walks, a great newsletter and a website that showcases the incredible landscapes they explore.

Congratulations to everyone involved at the Bushwalking Club. We hope the new equipment supports many safe and enjoyable adventures in the years ahead.

🌿 If you're thinking about joining a friendly local club - they're well worth checking out ⬇

🔗inverellbushwalkers.wordpress.com
Inverell Bushwalking Club Inc

📷 Christy Galbraith

08/07/2026

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY - CROWN LAND GRANTS
The 2026–27 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) guidelines have now been released, and concerns remain about how funding is being allocated across regional NSW.

Under this grant, 40% of the assessment score is based on how many visitors the reserve receives every year, which can disadvantage lower-population regional reserves. Grant applications to the Fund are based on this scoring:

🔘 1,000,000+ visitors per year = 40 points
🔘 250,000+ visitors per year = 25 points
🔘 60,000+ visitors per year = 15 points
🔘 30,000+ visitors per year = 10 points
🔘 10,000+ visitors per year = 5 points
🔘 Under 10,000 visitors per year = 0 points

This makes it very difficult for regional Crown reserves to obtain funding. This includes many of our country halls, sports grounds, showgrounds, camping areas and commons.

We are pleased to hear Brendan Moylan MP is taking up the fight. We encourage community members, reserve users, and local organisations to make their voices heard before 3 August.

If you support a review of the CRIF guidelines to ensure fairer access for regional communities, please consider:

✏️ Writing to your local Member of Parliament, email Brendan Moylan's office at [email protected].

📣 Or comment below to show your support

Even a short message helps demonstrate that this issue matters to regional communities across NSW.

Let’s make sure funding supports the needs of all communities, not just the most heavily visited reserves.

01/06/2026

🚘 Don’t Miss this Free Youth Car Maintenance Workshop 🚘

There’s still time to register for our hands-on vehicle maintenance session.

When your phone is flat or there's no phone service, knowing basic car maintenance skills can be incredibly important. This workshop will help build confidence and teach practical skills that could come in handy when it matters most.

Participants will learn:
✔️ How to change a flat tyre
✔️ Essential vehicle safety checks
✔️ What to check under the bonnet
✔️ Basic car care and maintenance tips

Delivered FREE by the award-winning Galmatic team, with lead mechanic Eleni providing practical demonstrations and guidance throughout the session.

📅 Monday 15 June
⏰ 4:00pm – 6:00pm
📍 Inverell Sports Complex (near the canteen)

Bookings are essential. To register, please email [email protected] with your:
• Name + Age
• Contact number (for reminder text)
• Email address

Proudly funded by the NSW Government. Spaces are limited, so get in touch to secure your spot!