Burdekin Potters Shaping Community Connections

Burdekin Potters Inc., a longstanding creative fixture in the Burdekin region, has been enriching the community with its pottery programs and initiatives since 1975. With nearly five decades of history, this not-for-profit organisation has seen remarkable growth, expanding from around ten members four years ago to an impressive 62 members today.
“Our youngest member is just 16, while our oldest is in her mid-70s,” shares Debra Ferraris, the current President of Burdekin Potters.
This diverse membership reflects the club’s commitment to fostering community bonds and accessibility through pottery.
Burdekin Potters offers pottery classes for both adults and children throughout the year, aiming to welcome new members into their artistic fold. The club also supports various groups, including Indigenous and special needs communities, and collaborates with local schools by providing materials and firing student pieces. These initiatives are core to their mission of making pottery an accessible and rewarding activity for all.
Recently, Burdekin Potters received a Bendigo Bank Community Grant of $9,450, allocated to repainting the exterior of their clubhouse in Plantation Park.
Debra explains, “We wanted the club to stand out and look refreshed in time to celebrate our 50 years in the community next year.” With a surge of local interest in pottery, the new paintwork not only revitalises the club’s appearance but also strengthens its community presence.
Receiving the grant has had a profound impact on the organisation’s future plans.
“It was awesome to be successful in gaining the funding to achieve this project,” says Debra. By covering the clubhouse’s renovation costs through Bendigo Bank’s support, Burdekin Potters can now allocate its own funds towards maintaining and purchasing essential equipment, as well as handling regular expenses such as rates, electricity, and insurance.
“Having a big-ticket item crossed off our wish list allows us to focus on these ongoing needs,” Debra notes gratefully.
Debra underscores the importance of Bendigo Bank Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr’s role in supporting the Burdekin’s local organisations. “It is invaluable for not-for-profit groups in the Burdekin to have an institution like Bendigo Bank offer these grants,” she says. “The Burdekin Potters is forever grateful for the assistance, as it allows clubs to acquire otherwise unobtainable resources.”
Looking ahead, Burdekin Potters is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary in June 2025—a milestone the entire community can anticipate. “We’re working towards organising an event to celebrate 50 years in the community next year,” Debra shares. With a vibrant mix of members from diverse backgrounds, Burdekin Potters is dedicated to making pottery an affordable, inclusive, and enriching experience.
“Our goal is to continually encourage community members to join our club, offering social interaction, mental stimulation, and the joy of a creative activity,” Debra adds.
As Burdekin Potters looks to the future, their gratitude for the Bendigo Bank Community Grant shines as brightly as their freshly painted clubhouse, embodying the transformative impact of community support in the arts.

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Burdekin Potters receive their grant! Photo supplied

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