Residents of Nymboida broke out all their favourite mooves when “a herd of bovine flavoured beasties” stampeded the stage at a community event co-sponsored by Equip.

The Black Cows was one of two musical acts that entertained locals during a fantastic night of entertainment that officially launched our community-based mental wellbeing program in the Nymboida-Blicks River region.

Duo Bacon Street Blues warmed up the audience, which then heard from Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Dr Chloe Hurrell on how Equip will soon be helping locals prepare for future environmental challenges. The Black Cows then mustered some high-energy to round out the program.

The following day, our Equip team also attended a packed community meeting at Dundurrabin Hall and met with residents.

Nymboida-Blicks Region will be one of nine communities partnering with us to learn strategies to build preparedness and resilience in the face of increasing natural disasters.

In this, the Nymboida Community Groups Incorporated (NCGI) will be a vital ally, and we thank NCGI members for providing an excellent opportunity for us to make important community connections.

We have already approached three community connectors in the Nymboida-Blicks River region, who will become project champions. And if the response across the weekend is anything to go by, residents are keen to be part of our research, which delivers a program specially adapted to Australian conditions.

The first workshops in Nymboida/Blicks Region will soon begin delivering the skills residents need to cope with natural disasters and boost their mental wellbeing and fitness at the same time.

By participating, they will potentially help communities across Australia.