A total of $274,276 has been awarded to local groups to fund local initiatives, events and festivals through Council's two annual grants programs.
At the June and July Council meetings the successful recipients of Council's Events and Festivals Grants and the Community Funding Scheme were decided. Both these grant programs run annually and provide funding to eligible not-for-profit community groups that meet the respective programs' criteria.
The Events and Festivals Grant Program has awarded $94,664 to 21 events and festivals within the shire. The 2019/2020 program features an exciting and diverse calendar of events and festivals which demonstrate Council's goal of creating an inspiring region and empowered community.
This year, the Community Funding Scheme has awarded 34 grants to local community groups that were able to demonstrate strong community benefit under four funding streams - supporting community and cultural development, enhancing the effectiveness of local community groups, supporting local environmental priorities, and enhancing community places and infrastructure.
The scheme distributed a total of $179,612, with the majority of funds coming from Council. Included in the funding total is $19,732 contributed by the Australian Government's Department of Health through the Commonwealth Home Support Program to fund projects that support positive ageing, and $15,000 contributed by Gisborne's Victorian Tavern for Gisborne-based projects.
Both grants continue to deliver direct benefits to the community. Some of the projects to receive a grant in 2019/20 include:
- Lancefield and Romsey Neighbourhood Houses - to deliver a program that supports people experiencing food insecurity and encourage their local community members to reduce food waste.
- Riddells Creek Landcare - to deliver an educational campaign that tells the stories of the local creeks and the people looking after them.
- Lancefield Junior Football and Netball Club – for purchase of a new netball digital scoreboard.
- The Mount Players of Macedon – to complete the refurbishment of the cast dressing rooms at the Mount view Theatre.
- U3A Kyneton – for video equipment to allow courses/presentations to be posted on their website for those who cannot attend them in person.
- Macedon Ranges Writers Festival – a new festival in August 2020 in Macedon held in collaboration with the 2020 Melbourne Writers Festival.
- Christmas in Romsey – a five week long Christmas event connecting business and community.
- Malmsbury Village Fayre – a Fayre held in the stunning Malmsbury Botanical Garden.
- Kyneton Daffodil Festival – a two-week celebration of spring and daffodils showcasing a range of loved community events.
View a full list of Community Funding Scheme recipients and Events & Festival Grant recipients.
Mayor, Cr Janet Pearce said Council is always pleased to learn about the exciting programs, events, festivals and projects that local community groups wishes to deliver.
"The grant programs demonstrate that we have an active community that is striving to improve their local communities and townships through worthwhile projects and activities that support local people and events that attract visitors," Cr Pearce said.
"Unfortunately Council always receives more applications than it can fund and the assessment process is extremely competitive. We encourage unsuccessful groups to seek feedback on their applications and try again in 2020."
Each year Council hosts a small celebration evening for the successful recipients, which is attended by the Mayor, Councillors and successful grant recipients. This year the special presentation ceremony will be on Thursday 15 August 2019 between 7pm and 8:30pm at the Gisborne Council offices at 40 Robertson Street.
