Choir sings out loud thanks to shire grant

NEW sound and lighting equipment purchased via a Surf Coast Shire grant is helping Torquay’s All Aboard disABILITY Choir to be better heard and seen singing the classics.

The choir had previously relied on borrowed gear but the community grant supported the acquisition of the new equipment, providing new independence and ability to take performances to community events.

Choir members used their new microphones and speakers during performances at the shire’s latest community grants presentation celebration, held on Thursday last week, and included a rendition of What A Wonderful World.

Councillors presented 29 grants totalling $96,912 to leaders of a diverse range of community organisations.

The allocations, ranging from $962 to $15,000, will support projects across the shire, from the creation of a town mural in Anglesea to building of a gazebo at Connewarre Reserve, purchase of bowling equipment for people with physical disabilities in Lorne and supporting a surfing festival in Torquay connecting and celebrating women, girls and non-binary people.

All Aboad disABILITY chief executive officer Kate Marshall spoke during the ceremony, saying receiving a $2,200 community grant in March had made a “huge, huge impact” for the organisation, including suspporting the staging of the organisation’s annual red carpet Tori achievement awards last month.

“The Tori Awards are the highlight of the year for our participants and they are all involved in the planning, entertainment and catering.

“In past years, we have used the equipment at the Salvation Army, which is where we rent the space but that wasn’t available to us this year, so without the grant and equipment we couldn’t have put the Tori Awards on.

“And the new equipment is all portable so we can take it with us where the choir performs.

“They have been invited to perform at openings and sporting clubs and places like that, so we are getting out and about and it is really, really lovely.”

Shire mayor Mike Bodsworth and councillors Adrian Schonfelder, Libby Stapleton, Rebecca Bourke and Tony Phelps presented the latest grants, awarded across the categories of quick response, minor capital works, health and wellbeing, natural environment, and community initiatives.

“Our community grants ceremonies always provide amazing insight into the vision, dedication and energy of the many organisations which help our community to thrive,” Cr Schonfelder said.

“Their work is often unheralded and powered by selfless volunteer hours. It is amazing to work so closely with community groups to bring these outstanding ideas to life.”

For more information about the shire’s Community Grants Program, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/grants