Two projects illustrating the issue of plastic waste and the environment have received $5000 grants in Surf Coast Shire Council's first Arts Development Seed Fund allocations.
The funding will enable creation of public art works aiming to change attitudes to plastic use across the shire.
Recipients were announced at a Council Small Grants Program ceremony on Thursday 13 June which saw distribution of a further $36,118 in grants to 19 organisations, providing welcome boosts for community-focused projects.
Program allocations ranged from $800 to help Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club pay for a venue for a bronze medallion camp, to $3500 for Torquay Community House to share among six user groups.
Council delivers two Small Grants Program rounds each year.
Cr Brian McKiterick said the program has run for more than 20 years and made immeasurable contributions to many organisations and lives.
"We can rest assured these are grants which make genuine difference in our communities," Cr McKiterick said.
"The 19 successful programs and purchases illustrate the wonderful diversity of organisations, activities and volunteer contributions that we might often take for granted across our shire.
"Being part of the presentation ceremony is always such a pleasure, and it is always great to hear updates on how much previous grant allocations have meant to the various groups."
Cr McKiterick joined Cr Martin Duke and Cr Margot Smith presenting the grants in Council's chamber.
The Arts Seed Development Fund sought submissions on the theme Detritus, and the grant recipients were:
- A Living Entity, by artists Maxine Bazeley and Clare Walton, incorporating a large scale mural, public performance and collaborative education encouraging community sharing of ideas on the public waste.
- To Hell Or Heaven In A Handbasket, by Katey McRae, Kellyann Vaughan and Josephine Lange, incorporating creation of a raft of sea rope collected from Surf Coast beaches, creation of tiny dolls made from discarded textiles and representing the world's population, and a soundtrack of coastal life.
Small Grants Program 2018-19 round two recipients:
Anglesea
ANGAIR, $2000, open garden weekend in October.
Repair Café, $1827.80, test and tag machine and training.
Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club, $2000, first aid training and coaching qualifications.
Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, $800, aiding venue hire for bronze medallion camp.
Anglesea Kindergarten Parent Committee, $2000, indigenous culture and art learning.
Lorne
Deans Marsh Cricket Club, $2000, research and preservation of records of Deans Marsh Community Hall, memorial reserve and community groups.
Picturing History Deans Marsh, $2556, equipment enabling collection and display of 2000 historic photographs of Deans Marsh.
Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, $2000, outboard motors lifter.
Torquay
Torquay Community House, $3500, community groups and programs.
Ocean Mind, $2000, youth mental health first aid and autism awareness training.
Jimi Crispe Group, $3000, recording Surf City Album by local musicians.
Surf Coast Basketball Association, $2000, program encouraging participation by young females.
Seaside Swing, $1495, sound system for dance socials and weekly classes.
Jan Juc Playgroup, $1000, ride-on toys and a road rules and safety program for children.
U3A Surfcoast, $1440, for 24 members to attend first aid and defibrillator training.
Torquay Bowling Club, $2000, bowls sets supporting a Roll Up schools program.
Veterans on a Mission, $2000, marquee for veterans and community groups.
Winchelsea
Winchelsea Community House, $1500, occasional care service play equipment.
Deans Marsh Community College, $1000, pilot four-day horse trail ride for young people.
