New grants program hands out another round of funding

ALMOST $60,000 in cash plus in-kind support to the value of more than $10,000 has been endorsed for distribution for round two of the City of Mount Gambier 2024/2025 Grants and Sponsorship Program.

Assisting eligible groups and individuals, round two of the program consists of the following streams:

Minor Events Grant – up to $2,000,

Major Events Grant – $2,001 to $15,000,

Corporate Sponsorship – Over $15,000,

Minor Community Strengthening Grant – up to $1,500, and

Major Community Strengthening Grant – $1,501 to $10,000.

Council received 19 applications for events and/or projects across the five funding streams. All applications were assessed during two assessment panel meetings with 16 applications determined to be successful with council endorsing this recommendation.

General Manager People, Place and Liveability Chris White said applications were assessed using an evaluation matrix, which generated a ranking based on how well each application met predetermined criteria.

“Key factors considered included economic impact of the event, the use of local suppliers and long-term sustainability to ensure lasting benefits for the community,” he said.

Minor Events Grants:

South East Radio Group Australian ‘Fox Hunting’ Championship and Convention – $500 cash

Mount Gambier RSL & District Bowling Club Men’s 2 Day Fours – $500 cash

Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes Science & Engineering Challenge – $2000 cash

Thumb Print Workshop Inc. Silk Screen Printing with Simone Tippett – $1000 cash

South East Street Machines Show ‘n’ Shine – $500 cash and $278 in-kind

Australian Garden History Society 2025 Annual National Convention – $2000 cash

Mount Gambier Community RSL – Remembrance Day – $1265 cash

Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra 2025 Gala Concert – $2000 cash

Mount Gambier 8-Ball Association State 8-Ball Carnival – $2000 cash

Gravity Enduro South Australia GESA Round Two – $1688 cash and $312 in-kind.

Being held at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre in August with an anticipated 210 participants, the Science and Engineering Challenge is a national program introducing STEM to high school students from across the region.

A Lakes Rotary spokesperson said the event consists of a series of STEM-related challenges which teams from competing schools undertake, points are awarded and the winning school has the opportunity of competing in State and National competitions.

“In 2024 the Mount Gambier event comprised seven schools from across the Limestone Coast – all up 175 students were involved and another 37 teachers, judges and helpers,” they said.

The annual Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra Gala Concert will be held at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on June 21 this year, providing a platform for local soloists, choristers and composers to showcase their musical talent and creative passion, while highlighting Mount Gambier as a culturally progressive city.

Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra secretary Jennie Matthews said the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra was formed in 2013 to provide opportunities for musicians in our community to participate in an exciting orchestral experience.

“Each year we provide high quality musical performances to audiences in the Limestone Coast region,” she said. “Our musicians range from dedicated music students to professional musicians who meet regularly throughout the ten-week rehearsal period, in the lead up to our seasonal performances.”

Major Events Grants:

Mount Gambier & District Pony Club 2025 Mount Gambier Horse Trials – $5000 cash

South Eastern National Dancing Association Southern State Championship – $1500 cash and $1500 in-kind

Tower Trail Run Tower Trail Run – $7500 cash and $200 in-kind

Two Lines Fertility and Women’s Health at Hawkins Your Women’s Health Expo – $4000 cash and $1120 in-kind.

Corporate Sponsorship was approved for the Adelaide Guitar Festival to host AGF Mount Gambier with $25,000 cash and $7052 in-kind, while South East Arts Society 2025 Open Arts Awards received approval for a Minor Community Strengthening Grant to the value of $1500 cash and $1000 in-kind.

A strategic review of the 2024/2025 Grants and Sponsorships Program is now scheduled to take place following the implementation of a new streamlined application process for all community grants and sponsorships which commenced on July 1 last year.