Playgroup among community groups to benefit from almost $500,000 in grants

OCEAN Grove Playgroup is among more than 130 different community groups to benefit from funding in the first round of the City of Greater Geelong council’s 2019-20 grants program.
The playgroup will receive $1,922 to purchase outdoor creative play equipment.
The council has awarded a total of $497,659 to 131 different community groups as part of the grants program.
Other recipients from the Bellarine include the Barwon Heads Arts Council, whose $6,000 grant will support the Bellarine Arts Trail 2020, and the Ocean Grove Community Association will also use a $6,000 grant to establish and promote a solar and battery bulk buy.
The Ocean Grove Memorial Recreation Reserve Management Committee Inc ($4,000) will replace existing florescent light fittings with LED panels and upgrade wiring, and Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea ($6,000) received funds for its 2020 festival to conduct a broad range of activities and events aimed at enhancing community understanding and appreciation of heritage, climate and sustainability, marine and coastal biodiversity through the use of environmental education and interpretation, music and the arts.
The funding has been spread across the region and will be used to support a wide variety of projects and interests.
Grants will go towards arts projects and festivals, equipment purchases, community projects, environmental initiatives and heritage restorations.
The vast majority have been given to groups, clubs and organisations run by volunteers.
Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the grants program was one of the most direct and effective ways for the council to make a genuine difference in the community.
For more, see page 35.