$205,000 in community grants

Almost $205,000 has been spread across 48 not-for-profit groups by Baw Baw Shire council in this year’s Community Development Grants.

Representatives of the successful applications were informed that they’d received grants at a function in Warragul last Tuesday night.

The money was allocated across four categories – environment; youth, community events and programs; minor equipment purchases, and minor capital works – after an extensive review process of applications.

Ten minor capital works projects accounted for more than $86,000 of the total distribution with the largest individual grants being $10,000.

The grants program supports community, volunteer groups and organisations.

At their meeting on Monday of last week councillors’ praise for the groups was probably best summed up by Cr Darren Wallace who said the grants were “about helping volunteers do what volunteers do best”.

And at the presentation function the following night deputy mayor Danny Goss said the broad range of projects funded demonstrated the diversity and creativity that exists in the community and council was proud to support groups that deliver projects that matter to them and make the community an even better place to live.

Applications were assessed by a panel of five council officers and 12 members of council advisory committees with a focus on “planning, capacity and outcomes”.

Only six applications that went to the final assessment stage were unsuccessful while several others did not meet eligibility criteria. Community Development Grants awarded Minor capital works Bellbird Park, Drouin, hockey committee of management: $10,000 for community and spectator shelters.

Warragul Primary School Parents’ Club: $10,000 for a playground project.

Warragul North primary school parent club: $10,000 for playground resurfacing.

Warranor Junior Football Club: $10,000 for an electronic scoreboard and siren. Yarragon Hall: $10,000 room upgrade. Warragul Harness Racing Club: $10,000 for home straight fencing.

Warragul Light Harness Club: $6050 for safety fencing. Darnum Hall: $7673 to upgrade car park. Hallora Cricket Club: $6476 to upgrade nets. Warragul Cricket Club: $5824 installation of synthetic pitch. Youth community events Baw Baw L2P: $3000 towards cost of a 10year promotional booklet.

Warragul community house: $1600, a planter box “plus” project. Minor equipment purchases Baw Baw Combined Churches food relief: $2650, split system air conditioner. Baw Baw food hub: $4200, kitchen equipment.

Drouids Hockey Club: $5000 community and spectator seating. Drouin Playgroup: $1150 seating and a table. Frankie’s Community Kitchen: $4946, kitchen upgrade.

Hill End and Grove Rovers Football Netball Club: $1715, canteen oven.

Longwarry Cricket Club: $4450 towards buying cricket balls and playing shirts.

Neerim South Recreation Reserve committee of management: $5000 for a mobile spray unit and to replace cricket pitch cover.

Drouin Hills Probus Club: $2898, purchase a projector and two laptop computers.

Seaview Mechanics” Institute: $5000, split system air conditioner.

Sonshine Toy Library: $3800, computer and printer upgrade.

St Joseph’s chorale: $4009, equipment purchases.

The Warragul Hub: $5000, play equipment for the Crazy Cow activity centre.

Thorpdale multi-purpose complex: $5000, flooring upgrade.

Thorpdale Primary School: $10,000 for safety fencing.

Trafalgar Park Bowls Club: $2170, purchase croquet equipment.

Trafalgar Ping Pong Kings: $2550, table tennis tables and nets.

Warragul District Kennel and Obedience Club: $288, dog agility fencing.

Walhalla Cricket lub: $4785, seating and signage.

Warragul and District Garden Club: $4136, mobility project.

Warragul and District Netball Association: $5000, safety initiative.

Warragul Boxing Club: $3380, replacement equipment. Warragul Farmers Market: $2000 for signage. Warragul Municipal Band: $1500, replace bass drum.

Warragul Poultry Club: $5000 towards recladding of club premises.

Warragul Swim Club: $5000 towards new touch pads.

Warragul Uniting Church: $3240, defibrillator.

Warranor Netball Club: $4554, team uniforms.

West Gippsland relic, lining and heritage protection: $4897, maintenance equipment for Aberfeldy Track.

Willow Grove community centre: $1500, public address system. Environment Baw Baw Sustainability Network: $2000 towards providing valve cosies.

Committee for Drouin, Friends of Drouin’s Trees: $2000, Birds of Drouin education kit.

Drouin Croquet Club: $1936, environment project water tank.

Drouin Stationeers: $723, enhance railway station gardens.

Jindivick Progress Association: $1000, sculpture show.

Thorpdale and District Bowling Club: $2000 for Pethybridge Park accessibility project.

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