Community club still kicking goals
Money generated from Horsham Sports and Community Club continues to pour into Wimmera-mallee community groups, sporting clubs and projects after 25 years of operation.
The club, operated by a volunteer board on behalf of a community membership since 1993, has now distributed more than $2.35-million into the community.
Club manager Glenn Carroll confirmed that a 2018 sponsorship package, providing a total of $139,000 to 108 sport and community groups, was a club record for the annual distribution program.
He added that thousands of dollars had also gone, or were going, into major projects across the region.
“The club is certainly fulfilling the purpose it was established for – to provide financial help to community and sporting groups – and all the feedback we are getting suggests people are extremely happy to get the support needed to complete or complement community projects,” he said.
“Every little bit helps, whether it be simply providing $276 dollars so Pigick Fire Brigade can buy a hotwater urn and other essentials, or Horsham Golf Club receiving $3140 to buy warm-up nets – all are as important as each other.
“They all play a part in making sure we have healthy and vibrant communities.”
Mr Carroll said apart from the individual sponsorship program, the club was allocating a significant amount of money to worthy projects benefi- cial to the broader region. Major projects funded in the past 12 months include $4000 for Nhill Park Run, $12,000 for seating and shading near Brim silos, $15,000 for Lake Lascelles at Hopetoun for more seating and shading, and $11,000 for seating and shading at Nhill’s Jaypex Park.
Money earmarked for projects in the next 12 months includes $15,000 to establish a Driver Reviver station in a former kiosk at Green Lake, $10,000 to develop the entrance to Murtoa Stick Shed, $5000 to re-establish an entrance to Horsham Cemetery and $15,000 for more shade facilities at a Horsham skate park on the corner of Park Drive and Natimuk Road.
Integral cog
Mr Carroll agreed Wimmera Sports and Community Club had become an integral cog in financing community clubs and communities and the region in general.
“It more than lives up to its description as a non-profit community asset,” he said.
The club has supported everything from fire brigades and football leagues and clubs to kindergartens.
For example, it has been a long-time supporter of Horsham’s Green Park Casuarina Kindergarten. It has provided seven sponsorships totaling $13,900 for the kindergarten, the latest allocation of $2500 going towards replacing timber framework on swing pergolas.
Wimmera kindergartens and playgroups have received a total of $122,823 over the past 21 years, helping ease the burden on volunteers to raise money and improve facilities.