Pitch night sparks project funding

THE Buninyong Town Hall was buzzing with people on Monday night as fifty thousand dollars’ worth of funding was distributed to local organisations by Community Bank Buninyong.

SparkTank saw nine local groups pitch their grassroots projects to a live audience, and judges Gorgi Coghlan, George Fong and Ellen Jackson.

Each group had five minutes to make their case before the judging panel decided how the $50,000 would be distributed.

Creative presentations included ABBA’s Waterloo re-imaged as Portaloo in a pitch for upgraded toilets at the Ballarat Performing Arts Community, and Ballarat Roller Derby League members skating through the hall.

Audience members received two $10 Community Gold tokens when they arrived to put towards the pitch that inspired them the most. The ‘Gold’ can only be spent in Greater Buninyong.

The Ballarat Wildlife Hospital received $10,000 in funding plus $750 in Community Gold for a portable x-ray machine to help injured wildlife.

“It’s the beginning of real change in the veterinary care of our wildlife, to get them seen sooner, to get them treated sooner,” hospital director Nikki Shanahan said.

“Hopefully it will change the way everyone in other districts look at wildlife care… I hope that everyone else follows.”

Ms Shanahan said she sees on average between three and five animals each week who require an x-ray.

Ballarat Performing Arts Community were awarded a total of $10,190 while Buninyong Little Athletics received $8390 and Food is Free were given $6390.

BGT Jobs and Training took home $5200, Royal South Street Society were awarded $4040 and Buninyong Mount-Helen CFA received $3400.

Ballarat Roller Derby League were given $2420 and Sovereign Hill Museums Association were awarded $2040.

The judging panel assessed each pitch based on their impact, legacy and creative potential.

“I was really interested in hearing the stories of these projects, how they’ve come about, and how they can do more than just solve the immediate problem,” Ms Jackson said.

“Do they have thoughts and plans in place for how else they might source funding? What are the longer term implications of their project?

“Those sorts of stories that sit around the immediate project and what they’re looking for funding for really interests me.”

Bank branch manager Randall Dreger said the event is about more than distributing funds.

“It creates an event where community groups can network and partner with each other,” he said.

“That part of it is just wonderful.”

A supper of sandwiches, pies and sausage rolls, passionfruit sponge and slices was provided by the Buninyong CWA.