Over $94,000 in Community Development Grants have been awarded to 24 non-profit organisation, community groups and associations in Baw Baw Shire.
The annual presentation event was held last night at the Drouin golf Club, hosted by Mayor Cr Mikaela Power and Deputy Mayor Cr Danny Goss. East Ward Cr Michael Leaney, East Ward Cr Peter Kostos and West Ward Cr Tricia Jones were also in attendance supporting the many successful community groups who were awarded with their grants.
Grants were awarded to a diverse selection of successful applicants ranging from sports clubs to community groups, kindergartens to kennel clubs. All grant recipients all share a common theme, their grant funding will go towards projects, programs, equipment and events that make a positive contribution to the Baw Baw community.
Applications went through a rigorous assessment process, being evaluated against funding conditions and criteria and then scored to determine their success and amount of funding.
The 24 successful projects were allocated funding across three categories – Environment, Minor Equipment Purchases and Minor Capital Works.
Environment
| Organisation | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Drouin Croquet Club | Purchase and installation of solar panels. | $3,900.00 |
| Jindivick Landcare Group | Purchase of eight wire cage rabbit traps. | $1,100.00 |
| Olivia's Place | Improve waste and recycling management including landfill diversion for large items. | $4,050.00 |
| Trafalgar Bowls Club | Purchase and installation of solar panels. | $5,000.00 |
Minor Equipment Purchases
| Organisation | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Aberfeldy Cemetery Trust | New brush cutter to assist in the maintenance of cemetery grounds. | $924.00 |
| Baw Baw Equestrian Centre | Purchase a new solar water pump. | $3,971.00 |
| Drouin Men's Shed | Replacement woodworking lathe for workshop. | $1,149.16 |
| Friends of Mt Worth State Park | Purchase four hand-held UHF radios for use by volunteers at monthly working bees and other events. | $500.00 |
| Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby Inc | Purchase roller skates and protective equipment to support the new SkateFit program. | $4,650.75 |
| Gulls Hockey Club Inc | Purchase new goalie protective equipment. | $4,910.00 |
| Hill End Community Inc. | Purchase two split system air-conditioning units. | $5,000.00 |
| Longwarry Recreation Reserve | Purchase ride on mower to maintain grass at the reserve and adjoining Bandicoot Walking Track. | $5,000.00 |
| Neerim Junction Mechanics Institute | Purchase chairs for hall to support community functions. | $4,458.80 |
| Riding Develops Abilities Warragul Centre | Replacement equipment trailer and riding helmets. | $3,119.97 |
| Strzelecki Bushwalking Club | Purchase equipment for clearing and maintenance of walking track. | $2,000.00 |
| Warragul Gymnastic Club | Purchase safety mats, a set of bars, walls with hand holds, tunnels and sensory equipment. | $5,000.00 |
| Warragul Little Athletics | Purchase a new line marker for running and walking events. | $3,440.00 |
| West Gippsland Hockey Association | Purchase eight junior size goals to better accommodate growth in junior hockey. | $5,000.00 |
| Willow Grove Recreation Reserve Committee of Management | Purchase a mower suitable for grounds maintenance. | $5,000.00 |
Minor Capital Works
| Organisation | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Drouin Junior Football Club | Installation of 10-metre-high netting on the northern end of Bellbird Park Drouin (to match the existing nets on the south end). | $9,746.25 |
| Trafalgar Cricket Club | Installation of a new synthetic cricket pitch and re-establish ground levels. | $6,251.50 |
| Trafalgar East Hall Committee | Construction, installation and painting of two new windows at the front of the building. | $1,594.48 |
| Trafalgar Kindergarten | Installation of a new toilet, taps, soap dispensers and a rainwater tank. | $3,800.00 |
| Warragul & District Kennel and Obedience Club | Purchase of a 50,000L water tank to provide adequate water for dog club grounds, irrigation and maintenance. | $5,000.00 |
As stated by Mayor Cr Mikaela Power
"As a Council, it gives us great pleasure to support local people and organisations that contribute so much to our community. It was fantastic to see such a broad selection of projects put forward for funding this year. We had outstanding applicants across all categories and I think that really demonstrates the diversity and creativity you find right across Baw Baw. I'd like to congratulate each recipient on their successful application and look forward to seeing their projects come to life."
