Inclusive projects win support

Fourteen Wimmera community groups have won funding for inclusive projects through the Rural Access Quick Win Grants scheme.

The grants help support the inclusion of people of all abilities throughout the Wimmera.

Not-for-profit community groups were eligible to apply for projects that directly benefitted residents of Horsham, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera or Yarriambiack municipalities.

Horsham Rural City Council community services director Kevin O’brien said the community responded positively to the scheme.

“There are so many great projects that people are working on in the community that unfortunately not all the groups were successful with their application,” he said.

“We encourage groups to apply for other grants in the future.”

Mr O’brien said the council expected projects to be completed by the end of 2018.

Successful community groups: Horsham Table Tennis Association, sporting equipment upgrades; Dimboola Outdoor Men’s Shed, improving access to the shed; Horsham Riding for Disabled, RDA, modifying the carriage to improve wheelchair access; Horsham Motorcycle Club, creating a spectator area-hub to support people with special needs; Horsham Aquatic Centre, access swimming and water therapy program; Woodbine Warracknabeal, fitting electrical side steps and handrails to buses; Wimmera Mobility Group, support of Wimmera Mobility Group meetings-activities; Wimmera Hearing Society, supporting the hearing screens to the general public project; Nhill Bowls Club, improved access to the bowling greens; Nhill and District Sporting Club hockey division, purchase of hockey goals; Natimuk Nursing Home, Natimuk Intergenerational Playgroup; Minyip Senior Citizens, line dancing for beginners group; Horsham Urban Landcare group, all accessible disability garden; West Wimmera Health Service Cooinda Kookaburras, supporting participation in Tri State Games.