The Bega Valley Women’s Giving Circle — an initiative of the Mumbulla Community Foundation — has now been officially launched at this year’s International Women’s Day event in Bega. The celebration offered a wonderful opportunity to introduce the Circle publicly and honour the generosity and leadership of women across our region.
Since beginning in August 2025, the Circle has grown to nearly 30 members, reflecting a strong appetite for women‑led, community‑focused philanthropy in the Bega Valley. By pooling contributions and making decisions together, members will support initiatives that strengthen the lives of women and young people locally.
Circle Member and Labor Councillor Helen O’Neil delivered a thoughtful and inspiring speech capturing the purpose and potential of this new initiative. Several Circle members joined us on the day, helping to mark this milestone with pride and connection.
We are grateful to the Bega Chamber of Commerce and the Bega Women’s Resource Centre for welcoming us into such a vibrant and uplifting event. Meeting keynote speaker Lucy Bloom added an extra spark to the celebration. This launch marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the Bega Valley Women’s Giving Circle and for the Mumbulla Community Foundation’s commitment to strengthening local philanthropy.
🌿 Join the Circle If you’re passionate about supporting women and young people in the Bega Valley, we warmly welcome you to become part of the Circle. Every new member strengthens our collective impact and helps grow a culture of generosity across our region.
Mumbulla Community Foundation, proudly supported by Community Bank Pambula & District and the Social Justice Advocates, is excited to announce the 2025 Continuing Education Scholarship Program — designed to support lifelong learning and professional growth for residents of the Bega Valley.
Key Details:
Applications Open: 23 June 2025
Who Can Apply: Residents of the Bega Valley undertaking post-secondary study
Scholarship Value: Up to $1,000 per recipient
Whether you are studying at university, TAFE, an apprenticeship, or other forms of professional development, this scholarship can provide much-needed financial support.
As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the power of giving—and the impact your generosity can have right here in the Bega Valley.
At Mumbulla Community Foundation, we believe in building strong, resilient communities from the ground up. When you make a tax-deductible donation before June 30, you’re not just giving money—you’re investing in lasting, measurable change where it matters most: in your own backyard.
Why Your Support Matters
Your donation helps fund initiatives that:
Improve access to education for local children and young people
Enhance community wellbeing and inclusion
Support grassroots organisations leading innovative, locally-driven projects
Build long-term resilience across the Bega Valley region
Every dollar donated stays within our community and contributes to our strategic grants program, enabling targeted support for those who need it most.
Make Your EOFY Gift Count
🗓️ To receive a tax deduction for the 2024–25 financial year, please donate before 30 June.
We are happy to share the heart-warming journey of The Songcrafters project, an incredible collaboration between Jamie Forbes from Theatre Onset and Nick Keeling from Merimbula School of Music.
It is an ongoing project to develop an original musical that we eagerly anticipate seeing come to life in the Bega Valley, and Mumbulla Community Foundation is proud to have contributed a starting grant.
Featuring a vibrant youth cast, primarily composed of high school students and even younger participants in some roles, this project offers them a unique opportunity to shine and grow. The experience will provide invaluable skills in collaboration, creativity, and performance
As we approach 2025, our excitement grows. Stay tuned for updates!
On October 14, the Mumbulla Community Foundation proudly awarded six scholarships to students at the University of Wollongong, Bega Campus. This special event was a celebration of hard work and achievement, as family, friends, peers, and teachers gathered to honor these remarkable individuals. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the scholarship recipients!
Supporting education in the Bega Valley is a collective effort that deserves recognition. It was invigorating to be among other local scholarship providers such as Tarra Motors, Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tathra and Bega Lions Clubs, Bega Cheese, the Blomfield family, and Bega and Pambula Rotary Clubs—all committed to fostering educational opportunities through this amazing program.
We can take pride in knowing that the Bega UOW Campus boasts the largest number of community scholarships among all University of Wollongong campuses. This impressive achievement was highlighted by Ms. Avitaia, our campus manager. A big shout-out goes to Community Bank Pambula & Bega for their unwavering support of the Mumbulla Community Foundation Scholarship program.
Let’s continue to champion education in our community! Thank you to Bega District News and Jimmie Parker for covering this inspiring story and capturing a group photo that will serve as a lasting memory of this momentous occasion. Together, we can ensure that future generations have access to educational resources that empower them for success! For more details on this event and ongoing initiatives in our community, check out https://www.facebook.com/BegaNews.
