Bank grants boost community groups

Ten grants totalling $110,000 were last week announced in the latest round of community grants by Drouin and District Financial Services, the local shareholder body of the Drouin and District Community Bank.

They brought the amount allocated by the bank in community grants since its establishment to $6.2 million.

D&DFS chairman Rod Dunlop said in addition Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief would receive $10,000 towards to cost of buying premises it operates from in Warragul after meeting a challenge set it last year.

Due to restrictions on gatherings usual functions to present the grants Mr Dunlop said the monies were being sent individually to the recipient organisations.

The 10 grants announced last week were:Longwarry Recreation Reserve to replace flooring in the clubrooms kitchen as the first project in a planned improvement program.

West Gippsland Hockey Association to purchase a portable scoreboard including a time clock.

1st Drouin Scout Group for kitchen and bathroom/toilet

Upgrades including disability access.

Drouin Bowling Club to instal new shelters around a new synthetic green currently under construction

St Vincent de Paul Society, St Ita’s Conference Drouin, towards its annual Christmas hamper project.

Longwarry and

District

Lions Club food relief program that now distributes more than 150 hampers each week to needy people.

Warragul Heritage Preservation Association to assist restoration of a wall at a 132 year-old former church building.

Lyrebird Village Drouin to purchase a purpose-built vehicle to transport residents, including those with wheelchairs, to appointments and events.

Longwarry public hall for a “chipper shredder” to create mulch for its community garden that also supports Longwarry Lions’ food relief.

Warragul Little Athletics Club to buy timing gates to make timing of races easier, efficient and more accurate and enable the groupo to host external competitions.