Simplified grants program success

Hindmarsh Shire Council awarded more than $15,000 through community action and business assistance grant programs at its latest public meeting.

Three applications were approved for the community assistance program.

Jeparit Heritage Walk was awarded $1000 to complete the project’s final stage. The group will purchase materials to install individual place of interest signs and a combined signboard with maps identifying the routes for locals and visitors to undertake the walk.

Nhill and District Historical Society will purchase a glass tabletop for a former Lowan Shire Council meeting table with a $920 grant.

St John’s Lutheran Church, Jeparit was awarded $1000 to fund the restoration of the front wall of the church hall.

One application was awarded under the event sponsorship category.

Dimboola Art Inc received a grant of $500 towards a New Year’s Eve event at Tower Park, Dimboola, which will be a 1970s-themed disco party.

Nine applications were approved for the small equipment category.

Nhill Fire Brigade was awarded $1000 to purchase a light tower, battery charger and additional batteries to provide better lighting during incidents.

Nhill Senior Citizens received $300 towards the purchase of new tables for meals and bingo.

Dimboola Basketball Association was awarded $1000 to purchase a chest freezer and pie warmer for its canteen.

Nhill Golf Club received $984 to purchase 18 new golf hole flags with the club logo.

Nhill RSL sub-branch was awarded $1000 for flags and flag poles to honour servicemen and women at Nhill Cemetery, to be displayed on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day each year.

Nhill Bowling Club received $1000 to purchase a hammer drill, impact driver and angle grinder for maintenance tasks around the club.

Dimboola Bowling Club received $1000 to purchase an electronic bird-scaring device to protect the bowling green.

Jeparit and District Bowling Club was awarded a $1000 grant to purchase a laptop and printer for administrative tasks.

Nhill and District Sporting Club received $447 for an additional ipad for its electronic purchase system, Square.

Councillor Debra Nelson said it was fantastic to see groups put forward applications.

“This goes to prove we were right in making grant applications more simplified. I think it’s made it a bit easier for people to be able to put in submissions,” she said.

“All these groups in our community are doing wonderful things and it’s fantastic, as a council, to be able to support them.”

Three applications were approved for the business development category of the business assistance grants program.

Tiny Goats and Co, based in Dimboola, received $1800 for a portable disabled toilet for wheelchair access and for elderly people with mobility issues.

Armand Von Benecke Engineering was awarded a $600 grant to undertake a five-day health and safety representatives occupational health and safety course.

Deckert Group received $2000 to purchase a new laptop.

Cr Wendy Bywaters said she was pleased to see the funding put towards training and accessibility, to help small businesses in the shire.