Murrindindi Shire announced four community organisations have been awarded community grants at Wednesday nights (March 28) council meeting.
The Yea Bowling Club, Sacred Heart Primary School, Yea Pottery Studio and Firefoxes Australia all submitted funding proposals for one-off or start-up projects aimed at strengthening the community.
The Yea Bowling Club was awarded $1,000 for catering and services costs involved in the development and running of a new off-season tournament. The new tournament aims to promote the sport of bowls, attract new membership and maximise use of the community asset.
Firefoxes Australia received funding of $2,500 to run a Murrindindi Women’s Forum in Yea.
The Forum seeks to bring women across the Shire together and strengthen connections between them. In addition to the grant funding, Council also waived the costs of community facility and bus hire.
Yea’s Sacred Heart Primary School was granted $2,500 to support parent engagement as part of the school’s wider effort to strengthen parent, teacher and community collaboration.
Yea Pottery Studio was awarded $3,500 toward replacing kiln equipment that would enable on-site firing of community member’s works. This grant was awarded on the condition that, upon completion, the kiln be made available for use by schools and other community groups.
Mayor Charlotte Bisset said these exciting projects aligned brilliantly with the focus of Council’s 2017-2021 Health and Wellbeing Plan on promoting active, healthy and connected communities across the Shire.
“Special events and projects like those proposed by these outstanding organisations present an opportunity for individuals in the community to join groups they might not otherwise have connected with, or learn something new.
“It’s essential for all of us to feel a sense of belonging on a personal level as well as the ability to gain new skills. I believe these factors are important foundations for healthy communities and prosperous places.
“Council works hard to ensure all community groups, organisations and service clubs have access to assistance – whether it’s in the form of cash funding or in-kind support – to help them deliver their valuable contributions to our community,” Cr Bisset said.
Grant recipient organisations will work with Council’s Tourism and Events Coordinator to develop strategic promotional plans for their initiatives. These plans will ensure that the entire community is able to reap benefits from additional visitation and exposure to the Shire.
Applications for round three of the Community Grants Program are now open and will close in May for assessment in June. More information, including application forms, can be found at www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/grants.
-With Murrindindi Shire Council.
