City hands out half a million to community groups

THE City of Greater Geelong has invested nearly half a million dollars in more than 100 community groups in the first round of its 2019-20 grants program.

A total of $497,659 has been spread across the region and will be used to support a variety of groups, clubs and organisations, including arts projects and festivals, equipment purchases, community projects, environmental initiatives and heritage restorations.

Recipients include the Barwon Heads Arts Council, whose $6,000 grant will support the Bellarine Arts Trail 2020, and the Geelong Jukebox Rockers who will put its $4,000 offering towards staging a three-day Summer Rock Festival.

The Indented Head Yacht Club has plans to put its $2,000 grant towards a beach trolley to move boats, while the North Geelong Warriors Football Club has pocketed $2,000 to buy equipment for its all abilities team.

Ocean Grove Community Association will establish and promote a solar and battery bulk buy using its $6,000 grant, while the Waurn Ponds Community Garden will build four machines to recycle plastics.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the grants program was one of the most direct and effective ways for the council to make a “genuine” difference in the community.

“We’re excited to award the first round of this year’s grants to such a varied list of groups, who come from across the region and represent a wide range of interests.

The bulk of this financial year’s grants funding are yet to be awarded, with applications for $3 million in infrastructure grants and $300,000 for community events now being assessed.

It’s expected the recipients of these grants will be announced towards the end of this month.

Cr Pat Murnane, who chairs the city’s finance portfolio, offered his congratulations to those who had achieved success in the first round of grants.

“The value of the council’s investment is compounded many times over by the volunteers who put in hours of hard work to make the projects come to life.”

The city has indicated that there will be a second round of applications later in 2019-20 to award any leftover funds. For a full list of recipients, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/grants.