Community grants boost funds across shire

ANTICIPATION was in the air during the presentations of grants totalling $138,000 to South Gippsland community organisations, in round two of the South Gippsland Shire 2011/12 Community Grants.

Representatives of the 30 successful applicants gathered in Leongatha last Wednesday evening to witness presentations made by Mayor, Cr Warren Raabe and councillors Jennie Deane, Robert Newton, James Fawcett, Mimmie Jackson, David Lewis, Mohya Davies, Jeanette Harding and Kieran Kennedy.

Mayor Cr Warren Raabe said that handing out money to the community is a wonderful part of his job and that this financial year, Shire grants totalling $346,000 have been distributed across 223 successful applicants.

Addressing the audience, Cr Warren Raabe said that there are a great many terrific projects occurring in the shire and congratulated not only those who are about to receive Shire funding, but all those who had submitted applications.

“There are large chunks of good being done in the community and it’s an indication of how organisations are endeavouring to benefit the community,” Cr Raabe said.

The majority of applications this term were successful and Mr Raabe pointed out that these projects stretched far within the shire – from Outtrim to Venus Bay, from Mirboo North to Toora – with projects including hall facilities and upgrades, development plans for the future, equipment and community festivals – and that it felt great lend support in this way.

Over the eight years during which the Shire Grants Program has been running, $2 million has been distributed, including $956,000 this term.

Cr Raabe acknowledged that there are many organisations and businesses within the Shire which contribute to community projects and that the South Gippsland Shire Council is pleased to be counted amongst them.

“We see terrific work being done by community groups as we travel across the shire and so much good work means that you are doing something good in the community,” Cr Raabe said.

Finding success in grant applications – including those in the new category of up to $10,000 for major projects – recipients are looking forward to receiving funding prior to the close of the financial year.

• Meeniyan Dumbalk United Cricket Club Inc – $9300 – an upgrade to the club house;
• Fish Creek Football Netball Club – $10,000 – Terrill Park Lighting Project;
• Linton Court Elderly People’s Homes Society Inc – $5000 – works within Linton Court;
• Prom Coast U3A – $4000 – U3A Teaching Laboratory’s purchase of laptops;
• Corner Inlet Motorcycle Club – $5621 – club’s Development Plan;
• Dolphins Corner Inlet Swimming Club – $1580 – a storage shed;
• Toora Community Hall and Library $1600 – the purchase of new chairs;
• South Coast Active Communities with Gippsport – $2500 – Connecting Local Communities to be Active program;
• Tarwin Lower and District Bowls Club Inc – $4500 – the shelter building project;
• Tarwin Lower Mechanics Institute – $1750 – heating/cooling upgrade to the hall;
• Venus Bay Tarwin Lower & District Men’s Shed – $5000 – solar panels, insulation for Men’s Shed;
• Walter J. Tuck Recreation Reserve – $5000 – asphalting outside main function rooms;
• Mirboo Recreation Reserve – $10,000 – playground redevelopment;
• St Paul’s Social Club Inc – $2000 – St Paul’s Mirboo North Festival;
• Leongatha Agricultural Recreation Reserve – $13,000 – Leongatha Recreation Reserve Master Plan and Skate Bowl design;
• Leongatha Court House Section 86 Committee – $5000 – Leongatha Court House Centenary Celebrations;
• Leongatha Table Tennis Association – $3000 – a new meeting and training room;
• South Gippsland Shire Brass Band – $2000 – 120th Anniversary Concert;
• South Gippsland Shire Brass Band – $2100 – upgrade to band uniforms;
• Rotary club of Leongatha – $1000 – purchase of lighting equipment for Art Show;
• Arawata Community Hall Association Inc – $1060 – equipment replacement;
• Loch Community Development Association – $5000 – Loch Food and Wine Festival;
• Poowong Preschool – $5000 – ‘A Ray of Sunshine’ installation of solar panels;
• Poowong Recreation Reserve Committee – $4800 – purchase of new mower for the reserve
• Nyora Men’s Shed – $10,000 – Nyora Men’s Shed Development Project;
• Korumburra Botanic Park – $4000 – installation of bench seating and rotunda display enhancement;
• Korumburra Recreation Reserve – $5000 – repair to Reserve cricket nets;
• Milpara Community House – $2500 – Milpara Men’s Shed Community Garden Project;
• Bena Tennis Club – $2400 – drainage and a retaining wall for the tennis courts;
• Outtrim Reserve Committee – $4900 – replacement of tables and chairs for hall

“We’ve just handed out a whole pile of money and we’ve created lots of smiles around the room,” Cr Raabe said enthusiastically.

“Steps are soon to be taken to review the grant program to make it better and more responsive to the needs of the community,” Cr Raabe said.

The possibility exists that the grants may be distributed monthly rather than on a six-monthly basis.

New council will shortly announce the opening dates for future rounds of grants programs.

Assistance for community and volunteers may be can be found at the Community Engagement Conference on Saturday June 23, to be held at the Community College Gippsland for only $10 per person. The conference will include practical workshops and information sessions on subjects including grant funding, governance, publicity and incorporation law.

Email [email protected] to register and select workshop options or call South Gippsland Shire Council on 5662 9202 to register

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