The community performance and arts group has been under threat since late last year due to a decline in government grants and funding.

Rather than be cowed by the size of the task, the group’s leaders have mobilised their resources.

Personnel with particular skills, such as John Jordan, have been tasked to explore all possible sources for future funding. 

Mr Jordan was contacted by the group’s secretary Kim Frumar.

The group is also working closely with the Coffs Harbour-based organisation Arts Mid North Coast (AMNC). 

AMNC’s regional arts development officer Rod Howard commented on the necessity of the group for the community.

“They’re a unique group, who bring a whole range of benefits to the area,” he said.

“Bago Magic have really brought a different perspective to how arts and disability can interact.

“The fact that they work with artists of all abilities, and that those artists are not defined by ability, really sets them apart.

“It’s always competitive to get funding for individual organisations, which is why I met with the group recently to discuss a range of possibilities.

“One thing that will be focused on is making the organisation as sustainable as possible.” 

A special meeting was held on March 22 to discuss significant changes and the future of the group.

The central concern of this meeting was to make amendments to the group’s constitution.

These changes were necessary so that the group could apply for deductible gift recipient (DGR) status and other tax concessions.

Attaining the new status will ensure the group has a much greater chance of survival. 

“Obviously attaining the DGR will take a little time,” Jordan said.

“The constitution has to go to the NSW Office of Fair Trading, then get actual tax approval.

“It may be the end of May before we actually get all our approvals.”

The group won’t be idle in the interim.

“We’re creating a marketing, positioning and strategy document to ensure the committee remains focused on what is required,” Jordan said. “I’ll also be working on club grants and volunteering grants which don’t require DGR status.”

Some sectors of the community have already pledged their support during the group’s transitory period.

“Wauchope Lions Club and Tacking Point Lions Club have made donations,” Bago Magic’s administration coordinator Helen Payne said.

“Rod Simpkins and David Miedling have also become involved, after they spoke to the office of state member Leslie Williams.

“They’re organising to raise funds through a trivia night later in the year, in June.”

Rod Howard sees the acquisition of DGR status, combined with the unified organisational front, as a significant next step.

“It’s very important to realise the importance of what is occurring here,” he said.

“This is a group of volunteers who care passionately, and they are trying to create a future for the group.

“I know that they’d like to be able  to tour their productions in the future.

“For now it’s enough for them to be organised, and then they will go forward, expand and take it as far as possible.

“The responsibility now lies within the philanthropic sector and the rest of the community to get behind them.

“They’re employing all the right approaches, and regional businesses should be able to see that and support them.”