Gardiner funding for Poowong Hall

Poowong Public Hall is one of eight community facilities in Gippsland to benefit from the Gardiner Foundation’s “working in dairy communities small grants program.”

The program provides grants of up to $5000 for projects that aim to

strengthen Victorian dairy communities, build their capacity to deal with local issues, and enhance existing community infrastructure.

Poowong will receive $3890 to install a commercial dishwasher, reducing volunteer labour and improving facilities at the public hall.

Gardiner Dairy Foundation chief executive officer Mary Harney said the dairy industry was a fundamental component of Australia’s economy and support of the communities was integral.

“The Gardiner Dairy Foundation has been a proud supporter of the Working in Dairy Communities Small Grants Program for the past 15 years and looks forward to seeing the numerous grassroots community driven projects being implemented across Victorian dairying regions,” said Ms Harney.

Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal chief executive officer Natalie Egleton said small grants played an important role in rural and regional Australia.

“A small grant helps to address local issues and enable community groups to implement local solutions to local problems,” she said.

The Gardiner Dairy Foundation’s investment of $100,000 is widely and evenly distributed across Victoria’s three principle dairying regions.