About the Competition

The Bushfires of 2019/2020 affected our community significantly. Many will recall the darkened orange sky at 9am in the morning, ash falling on Main beach and residents crowding into the RSL, Tura Country Club and the Sapphire Club as makeshift emergency shelters.

Then there was the recovery, that is still ongoing. People responded from all over the world to help. The Baptist Churches of NSW also sent people and funds from those who wanted to support.

Pambula Baptist Church had access to these emergency relief funds from our wider movement. With a small membership, we assisted where we could. Over the next 12 months we enabled grants, planted gardens, re-built fencing, purchased gift vouchers and irrigation piping.

We also had a special grant from a sister church in WA (Western Australia). Toodyay Baptist Church (another small congregation) gave generously to enable us to practically share with our community the love of Jesus. Our initial plan was disrupted, as the whole country shut down and was isolated due to the threat of covid, etc; and PBC had to re-evaluate how to use the money Toodyay Baptist Church gave us.

After much discussion and brainstorming of ideas about what might be needed and what we as a church were capable of accomplishing, eventually the idea of an Art and Literature competition was born.

Three years after the bushfires seemed a long time, and much regrowth, resilience and stories of hope are out there. Maybe we could collect some of these stories in art & literature and bless the whole community to look hopefully toward the future.

Just as Jesus brings new life, ‘Beyond the Bushfires’ Art & Literature competition is aiming to bring new life, encouragement and a stronger sense of community. We wish to acknowledge those that have helped with this event, provided advice and supported the concept, in particular the art and literature groups of Merimbula, and the judges.