During Round 1* of the IRCF Grant Program, they successfully applied for a partnership grant to create a new resident Welcome Pack and the ‘Tomerong Trumpet’, a quarterly community newsletter distributed free of charge through the local Post Office.

The publication of a community newsletter had been a desired project for the Tomerong Hall for some time, but with limited volunteer capacity, the project never managed to eventuate. With their IRCF grant they were able to employ a project officer to create, publish and print four editions of the Tomerong Trumpet to the community.

Similarly, the Welcome Pack was designed as a resource for new residents providing them with information about other community NFPs, Hall activities, local services and the monthly Hall Markets. They hope that this resource will serve as a catalyst to encouraged greater community volunteer involvement and an increased community engagement for new residents.

As a result of their project to increase visibility and awareness of the Hall within the Tomerong Community, the hall has seen a number of positive increases that will help the Hall to continue to prosper. The Committee gained two new members, hall hire increased with a broader range of events being held, and a significant increase in both stall holders and attendance at the Tomerong Markets.

Leveraging their new communication channel to the community, the Hall used the Trumpet to advertise their current fundraiser where residents were invited to purchase a paver. The increased visibility of this fundraiser through the Trumpet saw them reach their fundraising goal much sooner (and with a few extra volunteers to help lay them!)