1 May 2025, NSW – Welcome to our Community Reference Group (CRG) for 2025, with two new panel members lending their expertise to the New England Solar Social Investment Program (SIP).
Past ZNet Uralla president Carol Shantal and venue manager Ned Duggan have joined the CRG, which brings transparency and local insight to the assessment of community applications for grants and donations through the SIP.
Thank you to Karin Jackson for her wonderful contribution as a CRG member in 2024.
Karin’s departure from the group and the inclusion of Ned and Carol have expanded the CRG’s membership to six community members for this year, along with two ACEN Australia representatives.
The CRG panel is chosen from a expressions of interest from community members, to represent the community as broadly as possible, including various parts of the Uralla district and surrounds, and a range of cultural and business backgrounds and interests.
The CRG met for the first time last month and has been busy assessing Round 1 SIP applications and confirming the grant recipients, who will be publicly announced soon.
The panel will also consider and select a second round of recipients for 2025, with applications for Round 2 set to open in June.
Our 2025 CRG, pictured with New England Solar Project Director Sarah Donnan (right), comprises:
Ned Duggan
An insurance claims manager, former venue manager and volunteer in bush and nature restoration. A relative newcomer to the district, Ned brings a fresh perspective and strong commitment to contributing to the Uralla Shire, including volunteering with the Rural Fire Service.
Susan Wilson
A Kentucky resident and retired primary school teacher who has lived in several NSW regional centres and Norfolk Island during her 37-year education career. Susan is a past Organiser of the NSW Teachers Federation for the New England North West.
Georgie (Darlene) McNaughton
A Balala resident and social anthropologist who is Associate Professor (adjunct) at the University of New England. She has more than 20 years’ experience researching cultural heritage, history and health with Indigenous communities and a 30-year teaching career in the social sciences, publishing more than 50 peer-reviewed books and papers.
Grant Clark
A Uralla Property Manager who previously worked for Uralla Shire Council for more than 20 years. Grant is a community golf coach and member of the organising committees for the Uralla Can Assist Poss family fun day and Armidale & Districts Relay for Life.
Carol Shantal
Carol is a past President of ZNet Uralla and has many years’ experience working in health, small business and farming. She has been active in community education, including measures to prepare for climate change, and was the cofounder of an intentional community focused on affordable housing and living in balance with nature.
Steven Ahoy (absent from CRG group photo)
An Elder with the Anaiwan community and Director of the Iwatta Aboriginal Corporation. An Armidale resident, Steven is the current Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisor for the University of New England in Armidale, and an advisory group member for the Bulaguranda Aboriginal Area around Mt Yarrowyck. He is also a circle sentencing Panel of Elders member for the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
$150,000 commitment for 2025
ACEN Australia has dedicated a total $150,000 to its community grants and donations program, known as its SIP Stream 1, in 2025. The CRG’s local knowledge in selecting the recipients helps ensure those funds make the most effective contributions to the Uralla district and surrounds.
Main image: New England Solar Project Director Sarah Donnan (right) with the six 2024 Community Reference Group community members … Ned Duggan, Susan Wilson, Georgie (Darlene) McNaughton, Grant Clark and Carol Shantal.