Shire’s small grants to make a big difference

MEMBERS of Anglesea-Aireys Inlet Senior Citizens Club can look forward to more shopping trips through the Surf Coast Shire’s Small Grants Program.

The club was one of 23 organisations to receive allocations in the December grants round, which handed out grants totalling $38,858.

Its $1,655 boost will enable increasing of seniors trips to Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre from one to two a month, in response to increasing popularity.

Driver Jenna Crawford accepted the grant on behalf of the club during a grants presentation ceremony in the council chambers, and said club members were always deeply appreciative of the outings.

Grants ranging from $345 to $4,488 provided welcome boosts for a range of community projects, including environmental work, preservation of history, sporting equipment and facility improvements and provision of a defibrillator at Jan Juc beach.

Shire mayor Rose Hodge welcomed guests, and was joined by fellow councillors Martin Duke, Libby Coker and Margot Smith for presentations.

Four grants went to organisations in each of the Winchelsea, Lorne and Anglesea wards, and 11 in Torquay Ward.

“The grants presentation ceremony is always a wonderful event,” Cr Hodge said.

“Some of the grants might be only a few hundred dollars but you can see the joy that they bring the wonderful people in these largely volunteer groups, who work so hard for the good of our communities.

“Raising money for projects can be tough. These grants can make such a difference.”

Peter Forster of ANGAIR and Sue Guinness of Surf Coast Repair Café spoke at the ceremony, outlining work undertaken as a result of grants received last year.

The shire delivers two grant rounds each year.