Wagga Wagga City Council has supported 49 community led events, projects and programs through its 2025/26 Annual Grants Program.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 21 July, Council endorsed allocating $234,610.57 in funding across 10 grant categories including various events, along with youth-led, environmental, cultural, and sporting initiatives.
The Annual Grants Program this year attracted 94 applications in the following 10 categories:
Community Programs & Projects; Recreational & Community Facilities; Neighbourhood & Rural Villages; Rural Halls; Arts, Culture & Creative Industries; Local Heritage; Events; Environment; Youth Programs & Projects; and Small Business.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said the program's funding priorities continued to focus on areas within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area that have high levels of social and community disadvantage.
"Many of our local community organisations, clubs, and businesses continue to feel the impacts of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis being experienced across the country," Cr Tout said.
"This is reflected in the large number of applications received by Council for the 2025/26 program, with most of the funding categories oversubscribed.
"It highlights how important it is for Council to continue to provide support across the entire community, from our city and suburbs to our villages and rural areas.
"The program enables us to support a diverse range of projects and initiatives that directly benefit our community, contributing to cultural life, improving community infrastructure and community wellbeing, which all help to foster a healthy, inclusive, and vibrant community."
The successful applicants for 2025/26 covered a wide range of projects and initiatives, including a Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo and the provision of lights and seating at Oura Skate Park, to a project supporting food relief efforts in Wagga Wagga through increased access to food supplies for local agencies.
"We are pleased to be able to provide this support to the 49 successful applicants, who will be delivering these programs and initiatives to the community," Cr Tout said.
"We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition over the coming 12 months."
The Annual Grants Program is part of Council's commitment to developing a vibrant, growing and sustainable community in line with the visions of the Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan.
2023/24 Annual Grants Program Recipients
EVENTS – $56,000
Women In Business Wagga Wagga Inc – $5000
Annual key speaker event as part of this organisation's initiatives to inspire, educate, and empower women in the community.
Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Inc.– $3726.57
For the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Bookfair.
Wagga City Rugby Club Inc.– $7500
Wagga City Rugby Club's 75th Anniversary Multicultural Day 2026.
Bidgee Strawberries & Cream (K Cashen & M Cashen) – $7500
A new seasonal family-friendly event to celebrate the start of the strawberry picking season.
Ian Whitney (auspiced by Eastern Riverina Arts Inc.) – $5175
The Wagga Weekender Music Festival celebrating contemporary Australian music in April 2026, featuring 36 artists.
Wagga Wagga and District Football Trust (The Trustee) – $7500
Australian Women's Football Match in Wagga Wagga between two teams from the Australian Women's Football Competition - Melbourne Victory and Canberra United.
Fishing for Kyan Inc. – $5580.88
Community Fishing Day event to raise funds for The Brain Foundation (aneurysm research) and programs for the youth of Wagga Wagga.
Joel Hornby (Omnia Inclusive Employment Solutions Ltd) – $6017.55
Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo to bring together more than 40 stallholders from around Wagga Wagga and surrounds.
Active Farmers Ltd – $5000
Active Farmers 'Run for Resilience' is a challenging, fun, and family friendly event providing inspiration and motivation for local and surrounding communities to keep active.
Dindima Aboriginal Football Club Inc – $3000
The Dindima 9's Knockout rugby league event held annually on the Australia Day long weekend.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & PROJECTS – $30,000
The Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust for and on behalf of St Aidan's Presbyterian Church Wagga Wagga – $4000
Update of venue toilet facilities to make them accessible for people with disabilities.
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) – $7500
Program to engage newly arrived women from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds to access culturally appropriate and structured swimming and water safety classes, trauma-informed yoga, and mindfulness sessions.
Riverina Woodworkers Club Inc – $3907
Improve the club's shed footprint to better utilise existing equipment.
Wagga Wagga Burmese Christian Church Music Program – $1564
To purchase musical equipment.
Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga – $5529
Support the growth of the Wagga Wagga Multicultural World Cup event with the addition of a women's tournament.
Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare – $7,500
Enhance food relief efforts in Wagga Wagga through increased access to food supplies for local agencies.
RECREATIONAL & COMMUNITY FACILITIES – $30,000
Wagga City Wanderers Football Club Inc. – $921
Canteen renovation to upgrade efficiency and provide a more appropriate surface for food preparation.
Wagga Wagga City Cats Cricket Club Inc. – $4110
Additional cricket pitch to accommodate the junior program.
Oura Progress Association Inc. – $4331
Oura Skate Park enhancements through provision of lights and seating.
Wagga Wagga Junior Rugby League Inc. – $3681
Extension of fencing at Parramore Park to fully enclose the facility.
Wagga Disc Golf Inc. – $6320
Installation of a beginner-friendly, 12 basket disc golf course, with scope to develop intermediate / competition level layouts at Rawlings Reserve.
Turvey Park Girl Guide Support Group (Girl Guides Assoc. of NSW Inc.) – $1292
To purchase equipment to improve the security and use of the Guide Hall.
Shaw Street Children's Centre Inc. – $3680
Replacement of wooden doors with a door that meets all fire safety regulations.
Playgroup NSW Ltd – $4265
Ngurra Hub backyard upgrade project.
Wagga Wagga Athletics & Little Athletics Club Inc. – $1400
Purchase and install reverse cycle split system air conditioning.
YOUTH PROGRAMS & PROJECTS – $15,000
Southern Sports Academy (Regional Academies of Sport Ltd) – $4295
Indigenous Talent Identification Day to identify, support, and elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes aged 13–17 years.
Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga Inc. – $4910
Youth Circular Lids Initiative bringing like-minded youth together to form a cohesive community.
Heaps Decent Ltd – $5795
The Queer Studio, a transformative performance program for trans and queer teens (aged 13-19 years).
NEIGHBOURHOOD & RURAL VILLAGES – $25,333
Ladysmith P & C Committee (Ladysmith Memorial Hall Land Manager Inc.) – $4000
'Flow for Life: Gentle Movement for Inner Vitality' program to improve wellbeing and community engagement.
Playgroup NSW Limited – $7500
A First Nations Early Childhood Expo, dedicated to supporting the unique needs of Aboriginal children and their families.
Wagga Wagga Society of the Holy Child Jesus (auspiced by Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga) – $6000
The Sinulog Festival: A Philippine Barrio Fiesta is a fusion of the Philippine Street festival and the world-famous Sinulog Festival.
Chin Community of Wagga Wagga (auspiced by Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga) – $4737
Purchase of catering equipment and sound equipment to provide the community with the ability to independently host events and celebrations.
Defence Shed Wagga Wagga Inc. – $3096
Purchase and installation of shelving, tool storage, and first aid supplies to support the safe and functional setup of a new community workshop.
RURAL HALLS – $25,000
Euberta Public Hall Manager Inc – $2350
Replacement and repair of kitchen sink plumbing.
Country Women's Association of NSW Inc. (Tarcutta Branch) – $8240
Update of kitchen.
Humula Citizens Sports Club Ltd – $10,000
Replacement of carpet in the main bar and pool table area.
Mangoplah Public Hall Land Manager Inc. – $4410
Replacement of kitchen lino.
ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES – $25,510
The Art Factory (Riverina Community College Ltd) – $4194
To hold 'On the Move', a series of 12 inclusive printmaking workshops designed to create welcoming, friendly, and creative spaces in aged care facilities and childcare centres.
Arthur Wicks (auspiced by Eastern Riverina Arts Inc.) – $5500
The Andromeda Series project to install a series of new painted objects in the TAFE Gallery 43.
Wagga Wagga Community Band (Wagga Wagga Brass Band Inc.) – $1923
For equipment required for use by Band members at performances and practice sessions.
Brittany Hefren (auspiced by Eastern Riverina Arts Inc.) – $6633To support Wonder Seekers, a 12-week project that commissions four local artists from diverse disciplines (writing, photography, illustration, and poetry).
Wagga Wagga Art Society Inc.– $1428
A workshop offering participants a practical introduction to the techniques and visual language of the Impressionist art movement.
Riverina Conservatorium of Music Ltd– $5832
Purchase of Removeable Staging for use on and off site by the RCM and its partners, for the benefit of the City of Wagga Wagga.
ENVIRONMENT – $5000
Currawananna Forest First Nations, Allies, Advocates, Friends, and Landcare Group Inc. – $5000
A ceremonial cultural burn in Currawananna State Forest and revegetation of the area, offering wider community participation in a Walk on Country / Return to Country.
LOCAL HERITAGE – $7500
Madeline Clark – $7500
Repairs to the façade of Kyeamba Station main building.
SMALL BUSINESS – $15,267.57
Rewild Water Kefir (L.R Pearce & H.R Tait) – $3345.20
To purchase equipment to support growth and sustainability of the business.
Killer Pies (Roseleigh Manor Pty Ltd) – $7000
To purchase equipment to enhance commercial kitchen facilities.
Vortex Entertainment (Vortex Assets Pty Ltd) – $3230
To purchase equipment to enhance customer experience.
Pearl Home Care Murrumbidgee (Watts Good Pty Ltd) – $1692.37
Upgrade of clinic room with essential clinical equipment to support the expansion of allied health and nursing services.
