Funding boost

The Glenelg Shire Council Community Grants program remains as popular as ever, with 34 local clubs and organisations sharing more than $83,000 in funding.

Council last night approved the first of two rounds of funding in the 2024/25 financial year.

The funding went to organisations right across the shire, with eight groups receiving the maximum $5,000.

These $5,000 grants included five for community events – the Sandford Bush Music Festival, a conference hosted by the Southwest Environment Alliance, Portland Running Festival, Classics by the Bay show ‘n’ shine and the Casterton Show.

Other maximum grants went to the Narrawong District Association for the Narrawong Bush Nippers beach safety program, Casterton Sandford Football Netball Club for a storage shed and the Dartmoor Football Netball Club to re-carpet its clubrooms.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said she was pleased to see the funding round proved so popular again this year.

“The Community Grants Program has been a vital part of Council’s ability to help our Shire’s hardworking volunteers,” she said.

“It is great to see clubs and organisations from throughout the Shire get the helping hand they need to make these projects a reality, and the economic spin-off from these grants is also multiplied many times over.”

There were 49 applicants seeking more than $113,000 in funding, with about $81,000 available. About $2,500 of the funding was in-kind support to hire Council-managed venues.

Grants of up to $1000 can be made without a co-contribution from the group, but those between $1000 and $5000 must be matched dollar for dollar.

Congratulations to all the successful grant recipients.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

Arts, Culture and Heritage Pioneer Wagon Shed Museum Heywood $990. Portland CEMA Inc $825.

Community Events Sandford Festival Committee Inc $5,000.

Southwest Environment Alliance $5,000. Portland Runners Club $5,000. Portland Bay Classic Vehicles $5,000. Portland Dog Obedience Club Inc $2,000. Casterton RSL Sub-Branch Inc $930. Portland Classic Auto Club Inc $3,000. Hotspur Management Committee Inc $945. Casterton P&A $5,000.

Recreation Portland Lawn Tennis Club $2,242.50. Casterton Bowling Club $1,000. Portland and Far South West Poultry Club Inc, $993.25. Heywood Football Netball Club Inc $947.96. Portland Tigers Football Netball Cricket Club $2,500. Narrawong District Association Inc $5,000. Portland BMX Club $4,157. Portland Pony Club $1,000. Casterton Sandford Football Netball Club $5,000. Portland Squash and Racquetball Club $999. Portland Heywood Field and Game $900. Heywood and District Pony Club Inc $3,025.

Public Halls Dartmoor Bowling Club Inc $1,195. Bahgallah Memorial Hall Committee Inc $1,475.

Community Strengthening Dartmoor Football Netball Club $5,000. Southern 500 Speedway Portland $715. Portland RSL Sub-Branch $959. Portland Scout Group $649. Rotary Club of Portland Bay Inc $950. Portland Community Garden Inc $3,500. FUNKY Hearts Inc $4,650.

In-Kind Council Venue Hire Tri State Games (Community Events) $1,725. Portland and District Kennel Club Inc (Community Events) $800.