Grant gratitude: 21 recipients in latest round of shire small grants

YOUNG lifesavers with disabilities will soon have improved access to Torquay’s local Nippers program thanks to council’s latest round of small grants.

Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club has emerged as a big winner in the Surf Coast Shire’s bi-annual small grants program following its successful March round application.

The club’s Starfish Nippers program will use a $4,599 grant to help purchase a beach wheelchair which will be available to program participants requiring wheelchair access to the beach.

Torquay SLSC president Tiffany Quinlan said inclusion was a massive focus for the club given how many families used the beach and participate in the club’s Nippers program.

“Previously we had to exclude participants purely because they couldn’t access the beach, we didn’t have a wheelchair that could do that, which was devastating,” Ms Quinlan said.

“We also have a number of participants in our Nipper program who have siblings that for one reason or another are unable to take part in our Starfish program, so this grant is massive for us.”

This year’s Starfish Nippers program is scheduled to run from November to the end of January.

The shire approved 21 grants at its May meeting, ranging from $688 to $4,994, supporting projects ranging from pest plant control and equipping of Rubbish Rangers, to purchasing of community emergency communications equipment and an installation of a Wadawurrung mural at a kindergarten in Anglesea.

Surf Coast mayor Libby Stapleton said the March round’s diversity of funding allocations was indicative of the amount of community work taking place across the shire.

“We received a record 38 applications, which is more than in any of the previous grants rounds across the past six years and maybe an indication of our wonderful volunteer sector swinging back into full operation after lockdowns,” she said.

“As usual the assessment process was very competitive and challenging, and unfortunately, we approved many great projects but not all. Many of these initiatives are being referred to other potential funding opportunities.

“The 21 approved grants mean a total of $40,066 will be going out to support organisations doing great work in our community, helping to keep people active, safe, healthy, involved and caring for our environment.”

The breakdown of grants sees seven grants awarded to community initiatives, six to environment, five to recreation and leisure, and three to arts and culture.

To see the full list and details of all small grants recipients, head to the Surf Coast Shire’s website and download the minutes from the May 24 council meeting.