Blog

IMPORTANT SJA FUNDRAISER

A live music fundraising event supporting Stage 1 of the Power to the People Solar Garden & Flywheel Energy Storage System.

Join Frankie J Holden, Candy McVeity, Garry Carson Jones, Chris Ralphs, Felicity Dowd & friends for a fun filled night of entertainment. Music, Food, Bar Service, Dancing and Auctions on the night.

Led by the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast, with support from the Sapphire

Coast Historic Vehicle Club, this project will use locally generated solar power stored in a Flywheel Energy Storage system. The energy will be sold at optimal times, creating an income stream. 100% of Funds raised go directly to help cover Electricity bills for people in the Bega Valley facing economic hardship.

Ticket Price: $50 pp – includes a Cheeky Mango Meal Voucher (ONLY with pre purchased tickets for catering purposes-NO meal vouchers available at the door.

 **********************************************************

Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast

LEAP – IN Youth Leadership Camp Report –

March 13–15, 2026

We are excited to share an overview of our recent Youth Leadership Camp: LEAP IN (Leadership, Engagement with Awesome People, Inspiring Networks), held from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th March 2026 at the Crossing Land Education Centre. The camp brought together a group of thoughtful and community-minded young people from across the Bega Valley Shire. Participants were invited based on their demonstrated care for their communities and the environment, and their curiosity about how they might make a meaningful difference.

Over the course of the weekend, eight Year 11 students worked alongside mentors to explore what leadership looks like in today’s world. Through a combination of meaningful conversations and hands-on activities—including canoeing, bushwalking, and team-building challenges—young people developed a deeper understanding of different leadership styles, strengthened their confidence, and began to find their own voice.

The camp was held at The Crossing Land Education Centre near Bermagui, a unique and inspiring camp overlooking the Bermagui River. The Centre’s strong focus on permaculture, sustainability, and land care provided an ideal environment for reflection, learning, and connection.    https://www.thecrossingland.org.au/ Our goal was simple: to bring together emerging young leaders and support them to leave with new skills, stronger connections, and a renewed sense of purpose around the social and environmental issues that matter to them.

Thanks to generous support, the camp was offered free of charge. We

welcomed eight students from three schools—Mallacoota High School, Eden Marine High School, and Lumen Christi Catholic College—alongside four dedicated mentors. These mentors brought diverse experience, including teaching, youth support, and community leadership, with one representing the organisation 'Surfing with the Mob'. We were also fortunate to have the support of four Social Justice Advocates members and three staff from The Crossing.

We believe the camp successfully met its objectives. It created a space for young people to connect, share ideas, and begin to consider their next steps as emerging leaders. Importantly, the camp also focused on “what next”—encouraging participants to stay connected and to carry their ideas forward into future action.

Wendy Wait

SJASC Environment/Climate Convenor

**********************************************

 HERE TO HELP  (H2H)

 Here 2 Help program at Tura Marrang Library, a literacy and numeracy initiative aimed at supporting individuals within the community. While open to everyone, the program was specifically focused on assisting women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, particularly those facing the challenges of isolation and limited English comprehension. Among the participants were a majority of families who had relocated to the area through Future Gen JV, an organisation supporting their employment and resettlement in the region with the Snowy Hydro scheme. The program's impact was significant for these families in particular.  

SJASC appreciates and values the important work of Here 2 Help (H2H)  If any members would like to volunteer please contact Cayce Hill email cayce@funhouse.studio Mobile

0425 314 023.

For more information see below and attachments. Google Drive video of the program (12.33 minutes) https://drive.google.com/file/d/117LgvuwY4uIEZVMZTkVyJWJJtlFSZKsX/view?usp=drive_link

Find attached:

*H2H Impact Report 2025.

*H2H Tura Marrang 2024 Annual Report.

************************************************************

Regards,

Russell Jennings    

Email:  secretary@sjasc.org.au

Postal: PO Box 352   Pambula NSW 2549 Web:  https://sjasc.org.au/ https://www.facebook.com/sapphirecoastsja https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeadvocates/

 

The Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast acknowledge the Yuin People as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

 

ABN 19 708 992 414