Boost for community projects

CITY of Mount Gambier has endorsed the distribution of more than $150,000 in funding and almost $40,000 in in-kind support for round one of the 2025/26 Grants and Sponsorships Program.

The Grants and Sponsorships Program provides financial and in-kind assistance to eligible groups for community events, infrastructure upgrades, arts initiatives, and recreation projects that align with council’s strategic plan, with the latest round endorsed at last konth’s council meeting.

For the 2025/26 financial year, Council allocated a total budget of $456,800 in cash and $143,384 in in-kind support. Of this, $291,885 in cash and $95,516 in-kind were pre-allocated to major events and initiatives.

City of Mount Gambier Manager Economy, Strategy and Engagement Biddie Shearing said some of the events that received a pre-allocation included the Australian Sprint Car Championship, Fringe Berrin, Generations in Jazz, Adelaide Guitar Festival, Pioneers Basketball, Apollo Soccer Club and Substance Misuse Limestone Coast.

Council received 30 applications for round one, across five funding streams with applications assessed during two panel meetings using a structured evaluation matrix, with consideration given to economic impact, community benefit, and long-term sustainability.

“With $164,915 cash and $47,868 in-kind remaining budget available, it was a very difficult decision for the Grants and Sponsorship Assessment Panel, which included elected members and senior staff,” Ms Shearing said.

Grants and Sponsorship Program Round One

Community Event Grant allocations

South Gambier Football Club – Mount Gambier Rodeo: $6,650 cash + $2,164 in-kind

Lakes Rotary Club of Mount Gambier – Blue Lake Fun Run: $5,000 cash + $6,200 in-kind

Mount Gambier Harness Racing Inc – Pacing Gold Cup: $1,000 cash

Australian International Pedal Prix Inc – Pedal Prix: $10,500 cash + $749.80 in-kind

Blue Lake BMX Club – State BMX Series – $1,000 cash + $529 in-kind

Mount Gambier Ministers Association – Blue Lake Carols – $5,000 cash + $633 in-kind

Mount Gambier Show Society – Spring Show: $3,000 cash + $722.80 in-kind

South East Automobile Club – Legends of the Lake Hill Climb: $12,993 in-kind

OZFish Unlimited – Fish Wise Festival – $2,000 cash + $1,000 in-kind

Basketball Mount Gambier Inc – Junior Basketball Tournament – $2,000 cash

Mount Gambier Disc Golf – 2025 Eruption: $5,000 cash + $1,580 in-kind

Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West – Party in the Park – $6,300 cash + $891.70 in-kind

Southern Saints Netball Club – The Border Challenge -$5,000 cash

The Nurtured Village Hampers Limestone Coast – Flourish – $1,000 cash

Mount Gambier Community RSL Club – ANZAC Day Services & Parade: $4,700 cash + $3,450 in-kind.

Corporate Sponsorship allocations

Limestone Coast Festivals & Events Inc – Fantasy Medieval Fair – $15,000 cash + $5,609 in-kind

Mount Gambier Community Events Management Inc – New Year’s Eve: $20,000 cash + $4,024.50 in-kind.

Community Strengthening Grant allocations

Mount Gambier City Band – City Band Hall – $5,000 cash

Karenni Community of South Australia – Youth Camp: $2,500 cash

The Nurtured Village – The Village Flow – $5,000 cash

Stand Like Stone – Digital Transformation – $10,000 cash.

Sport and Recreation Capital Works allocations

South Gambier Football Club – Clubroom Airconditioning – $5,000 cash

Mount Gambier Golf Club – First Tee Cart Path Refurbishment – $10,000 cash

Italo Australia Club Inc – Pitch Irrigation Development – $15,000 cash.

Philanthropic foundation Stand Like Stone will receive a $10,000 Community Strengthening Grant to assist the foundation to undertake a digital transformation project to enhance its operational sustainability.

Foundation CEO Jason Wallace said Stand Like Stone was deeply grateful for the support of Mount Gambier City Council.

“This investment is a game changer in our digital transformation, helping us adapt to modern technology, safeguard our data, and streamline how we fundraise and engage with donors – strengthening our impact now and for generations to come,” Mr Wallace said.

“The funding will enable development of a new website and the introduction of improved communications and fundraising systems. This project is being delivered with the support of our community, including our technology sponsor Green Triangle Electronics, which has generously donated its expertise pro bono to help drive this transformation.”

GTE Director and Information Technology Manager Matt Cutting said Green Triangle Electronics was proud to support the local community through sponsorship that helps fuel growth and opportunity.

“It’s a privilege to partner with Stand Like Stone to strengthen the foundation for our community and its future,” Mr Cutting said.

The Mount Gambier Disc Golf 2025 Eruption event will receive $5000 in funds and more than $1500 in-kind support for its event at the Crater Lakes Disc Golf Park on October 29 to November 2 this year.

Mount Gambier Disc Golf’s Ryan Nicholson said the annual Eruption tournament had grown to become the pinnacle event on the Australian Disc Golf Tour with this year’s excess of 200 registrations even surpassing the Australian Championships by more than twofold.

“Mount Gambier Disc Golf recognise the immense impact Council’s Grants and Sponsorship Program has towards this success as well as the tremendous support from local business and community groups,” Mr Nicholson said.

“Eruption organisers acquire the scope to direct such funding support back into the community for expenditures like trophies, signwriting, line marking, speaker hire, custom shirts, toilet hire, event catering and prizes plus outsourcing professional disc golf media production for event coverage.”

South Gambier Football Club will receive $6650 in cash and $2,164 in-kind support for this year’s rodeo.

South Gambier Football and Netball Club President Darren Sims said last year the Council Grants and Sponsorship program enabled the club to have the event filmed with replays available on the Big Screen for the 2500 people in attendance and available for viewing online with nearly 3000 views.

“We are thrilled to have Council involved again this year, the funding will help us to continue to improve and grow the event to become a permanent fixture on the Mount Gambier calendar,” Mr Sims said.

Blue Lake BMX Club will host the 2026 SA State Series Round in March 2026, providing competitive racing opportunities to develop young riders.

Blue Lake BMX Club Secretary Bree Holland said BMX was going to be huge for Australia next year with Brisbane set to host the World Championships in July.

“Qualifying rounds will be held early next year and we have a few local riders setting their sights towards these events hoping to qualify,” Ms Holland said.

The club will receive a Community Event grant to the value of $1000 and $529 in-kind support.

“Sponsorship from Council to hold state round events gives our local riders the chance to compete with the best across the state and improve their skills and give them an indication of how they’re tracking for their age group if that’s what they want to achieve,” Ms Holland said.

“It’s exciting hosting these events because we get a broad range of riders with varying skill levels and some out there just having fun. The funds go towards the medical team we are required by Auscycling to have and assist the purchase of track equipment and supplies for the weekend. The in-kind donation of council equipment ensures our event keeps everyone safe and organised.”