COMMUNITY groups in Strathfieldsaye can now apply for the latest round of grants for projects and activities that contribute to the region\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
The Strathfieldsaye and District Community Enterprise is currently accepting grant applications for up to $5000.<\/p>\n
Vice chair of SDCE, Kat Charnas, said since 2004 the group has given back about $1.5 million to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year it\u2019s different, it\u2019s really interesting to see what the community puts forward for their ideas of what they\u2019d like funded,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve funded defib machines, water tanks at Mandurang South Recreation Reserve, a mower for the Strathfieldsaye Dodgers Baseball Club, replacement of cricket nets and a footpath in Redesdale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, the enterprise worked with Impact Recovery to renovate part of the Koolamurt Park Scout Camp as part of a Work for the Dole scheme.<\/p>\n
Grant applications have also been accepted for programs such as the Bendigo Baptist Care peer support counselling service.<\/p>\n
The group covers Eppalock, Redesdale, Sedgewick, Mandurang, Spring Gully, Quarry Hill, Bendigo East, Junortoun and Axedale and with money coming from Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Telco.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Telco partners with four community enterprises in Greater Bendigo and 13 across the state.<\/p>\n
Funding comes from Telco giving a portion of revenue earned from customer\u2019s bills to a community enterprise which can be selected when signing up.<\/p>\n
SDCE can also fund larger projects, such as a $50,000 accessible footpath project almost completed at St Francis of the Field Primary School.<\/p>\n