Small grants boosting Buninyong

MULTIPLE Buninyong community groups are set to benefit from Federal funding that was distributed by Member for Ballarat Catherine King last week.

The Senior Citizens Club received a $2700 Stronger Communities Grant and aim to purchase a defibrillator for the Buninyong Town Hall.

Meanwhile, Volunteer Grants were awarded to Buninyong-Mount Helen Fire Brigade and the Buninyong Community Facility.

The brigade is purchasing two key deposit safes for their two stations with just under $2200, while the community facility has received $2700 for computer software to be used by the committee of management.

Buninyong Community Facility treasurer Chris Gordon said he was grateful for the support.

Volunteer Grant marks the first time the grassroots group has been successful in applying for funding since the sporting facility became operational on Forest Street.

“We are aligning more as a facility, rather than leaving grant applications up to the space’s user groups,” he said.

“The computer software is going to make our book-keeping and bookings manageable and transparent.”

The fire brigade safes will ensure no CFA volunteers’ vehicles are stolen while they are attending to an emergency, and the town hall defibrillator will be available for use if someone goes into cardiac arrest at an on-site community event.

Ms King said she hopes the grants will help community organisations activate their spaces and volunteers, and make operations easier, especially during the current period of COVID recovery.

“They’re doing it for the love of community, and if a small amount of money means… it’s not as stressful for volunteers, that makes a big difference for these people who do an amazing job,” she said.