Shire hands out first COVID-19 recovery grants

THE Surf Coast Shire council has announced the first recipients of its COVID-19 Recovery Assistance program.

Council allocated $1 million from its 2020-21 budget to help the community recover from the pandemic.

In late June the Rapid Response category opened as the first stage of the program, accepting applications up to $5,000.

Cr Tony Revell said he was pleased council could begin handing out the grants after thorough evaluation of the applications.

“Council allocated $50,000 for the Rapid Response grants. An assessment panel made up of four officers is assessing applications weekly against the guideline’s funding criteria,” Cr Revell said.

“It’s great to see so many local community projects amongst the successful applicants. Rapid Response allows council to provide speedy support to businesses and community groups impacted by the pandemic, so they can deliver lasting solutions.”

Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna (ANGAIR), Torquay Food Aid, Ellie Cheesman Films, Anglesea Leaders Community Forum, and Deans Marsh Primary School were the first recipients of the grants.

ANGAIR will be using the funding to help move its Wildflower and Art Show online for its 50th anniversary.

ANGAIR secretary Peter Forster said he was delighted the show would still run.

“At one point we thought that it was all over. The grant has allowed us to build a new website capable of hosting webinars, storing photos, provide activities, share YouTube videos and run this year’s event,” Mr Forster said.

“We obviously didn’t plan for a pandemic but this is a pretty important anniversary for us and it means a lot that we’re still able to celebrate it virtually.”

The show will include a virtual tour and will also feature art pieces created by Anglesea Primary School while homeschooling.

Torquay Food Aid will put its funds to its continued mission of helping feed locals in need.

The recently formed Anglesea Leaders Community Forum’s grant will help the group as it aims to bring together leaders from prominent groups in the community to develop strategies and recovery plans.

The funding for Ellie Cheesman Films will help in creating a unique documentary showing how the struggles created by COVID-19 from the perspective of children from the Surf Coast and South Australia.

Deans Marsh Primary School’s grant is for their Farm Gate Art project. This project will involve local artists holding willow weaving and ceramic tile making workshops to help students create art that will be displayed across the shire.