Canberrans dug deep during Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of Spring, this year, with more than $70,000 raised for local charities as part of The Great Big Bulb Dig and other on-site activities.
Yesterday, a grand total of $72,815 was handed over to local charities, SEE Change, which aims to create a more sustainable Canberra, and Raw Potential, which supports our disadvantaged youth.
Funds for the charity groups were raised via The Great Big Bulb Dig, which was the exclusive golden ticket to dig bulbs after Floriade closed its gates for 2022. Thousands flocked to Commonwealth Park to take home a part of Floriade, all the while supporting the two local charities.
Floriade Community Sponsor, The Property Collective, also contributed $11,000 to the charity organisations through their auction of a cubby house displayed at the festival.
Thanks to visitors keeping it green, the recycling of plastic containers during Floriade at Commonwealth Park contributed an additional $3,000 to the overall fundraising figure.
John Miller, Chairman of Raw Potential, was completely taken off guard when he saw the number on the novelty cheque.
“We expected a few thousand dollars, but this is just extraordinary!” said Mr Miller.
“And it came at a time when we are reviewing how we can extend our outreach services; How do we put an extra person out there on the streets to support these young people?”
This follows the charity’s push through Covid to launch their inaugural mobile outreach van, which now cruises the streets to provide disadvantaged youth access to laptops, sleeping bags, and food.
“Making sure they’re secure, that’s our first priority, and then helping them with either finding somewhere to live or to be supported in the right way.”
Mr Miller said this boost to increase trained and experienced outreach workers is the key to helping Canberra’s disadvantaged young people take the next step in their lives.
“We might question their decisions, but many of them have never been in a place to make good decisions.
“That’s the name of the game, recognising the raw potential in young people,” he said.
With the magnitude of government grants announced every year in the ACT, Canberrans may not realise just how much a half share of $70,000 means to a pair of not-for-profits.
“To give you an idea, we operate on a $100,000 budget, so $37,000 is an enormous contribution to our organisation,” said Peter Le Cornuon, Secretary at See Change.
In their effort to help Canberra transition into a low carbon and zero emissions city, See Change supports several local groups working in biodiversity, waste, and sustainable transport.
Floriade will continue to fundraise with presenting partner Synergy Group for the next two years.
The festival will return to Commonwealth Park in 2023, from Saturday 16 September to Sunday 15 October with the theme ‘Floral Wonderland’.
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