Fast funds available for local groups

THE Surf Coast Shire has opened applications for this year’s quick response grants program, with a total pool of $30,000 available.

Awarded on a monthly basis, the program supports groups and organisations to purchase equipment, upgrades, or replacements to assist or expand community-led activities and projects.

Grants of up to $3,000 are available under the program and all successful applications must align with the Surf Coast Shire’s health and wellbeing plan.

Cr Tony Phelps encouraged community organisations to consider making submissions.

“We appreciate that finding funds for things like equipment purchases or new projects can be a huge challenge,” he said.

“These grants offer meaningful support in quick turnaround time and can have such significant impact for organisations that are making positive differences in our community.”

Winchelsea’s volunteer-run playgroup was a successful applicant in the grants program last year, enabling it to purchase indoor play equipment.

Volunteer Bec Lane said the equipment has been a hit with the children.

“It has seven or eight large pieces of soft play which can be put together in different configurations, creating different obstacle courses for children to play on and run and crawl across.

“It means children can still burn energy with some climbing and fun indoors when it is inclement outside, and we wouldn’t have been able to purchase it without the grant.”

Ms Lane urged people to get their applications in, saying the process was really straightforward.

“I’ve done lots of grant applications and what stood out to me with this one was the really quick response. It definitely lived up to its title.

“I would say to others considering applying: this can be a small investment of time for potentially a big investment for your organisation.”

The grants program will remain open until the $30,000 is exhausted.

For more information, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au