City announces grants for community groups

THE City of Greater Geelong council has awarded $304,698 in funding to 45 different clubs and organisations across the region under the final round of its 2019-20 Community Grants program.
The grants, ranging from $1,000 up to $70,000, are for heritage projects in central Geelong as well as community events, projects and equipment.

The city hopes the grants will help speed up the local community’s social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community clubs and groups to receive grants include:

• Humans in Geelong: $10,000 to stage the Humans in Geelong Expo
• Geelong Symphony Orchestra: $10,000 to stage a concert series
• Kids Plus Foundation: $5,000 to stage the Kites for Kids event on the Geelong waterfront
• Masters Summer League: $4,786 to establish a social summer football (soccer) competition for over 35s
• Clifton Springs Community Men’s Shed: $2,000 for power and hand tools, and
• Portarlington Football Club: $2,000 for new equipment for its new female team.

Historically significant central Geelong buildings receiving funds to contribute towards a restoration include:

• The former Regent Theatre building at 118 Little Malop Street ($70,000)
• The Currabeg House building at 248 Latrobe Terrace ($7,443)
• The former Cheetham Salt building at 71 Little Malop Street ($15,000), and
• The Gosberton House building at 14 Ryrie Street ($4,500).
• The grants have been awarded using leftover funding from the first round of 2019-20 Community Grants, which were announced in late 2019.

The 2019-20 grants program has now delivered more than $4 million in funding to 223 different clubs, groups and organisations in the Greater Geelong community.

Applications for the second round of grants were submitted before COVID-19 restrictions came into place, but all applicants have since been contacted to check that their projects can be delivered in line with restrictions. Scheduled events that cannot be held as a result of the restrictions will be delayed or delivered online.

“The council’s grants program is an important way for us to support worthy projects and events, as well as helping community clubs and groups buy equipment they really need,” Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said.

“At a time like this, these grants are more valuable than ever in helping our community get back on its feet after the impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions.”