Tenterfield Shire Council has been attending community meetings in Jubullum and had been fostering the process of meeting the needs of the locals.

Council Business and Service Officer Harry Bolton went to a meeting last September to assess issues presented by the community and identified areas that council could assist with the community.

“When I first went down (to Jubullum) there was two issues: the lack of sporting facilities for youth and transport,” Mr Bolton said.

“What council is doing, by me going down there, shows a proactive approach. We’re getting the community to take responsibility for its destiny.

“It’s not a case of us going down there to tell them how it is done.”

The work to date competed by the Jubullum committee has led to them securing a $60,000 grant from the Indigenous Co-ordination Centre in Coffs Harbour for maintenance of the present basketball facility. It has been 20 years since the facility has been used for sporting games and events.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church has also offered its services through a fly, drive and build program that would supply tradespeople to assist with the completion of the project.

Funds for a 22 seat bus have also been made available from the Local and Community Transport Division of the New South Wales Ministry of Transport. The transport will assist the community that previously only had access to a bus in Bonalbo but was not sufficient for the communities needs.

Funding for driver training will also be made available to train four people from the community to operate the bus. The bus service will be available 365 days a week once operational.

Activities for youth was highlighted as something to be addressed and has subsequently led to funding being obtained to reinitiate the girl’s netball team. Forty players between the ages of five and 17 are now competing in weekend competitions with uniforms and sporting shoes being purchased from funds raised.

“They were successful to attract $4,500 for funding 40 girls playing competition netball. It looks to be growing to around 60 players next year,” Mr Bolton said.

“Jubullum is important to us because it is part of our district.

“We’re playing an important role long term that will benefit the community.”

Tenterfield Shire General Manager Don Ramsland also visited Jubullum earlier this week and was able to see the progress of the committee.

“Self help in the community is what we want to try and foster,” Mr Ramsland said.

“(The bus) is going to make them more mobile.”

Google Map of Jubullum, Tenterfield