Plenty of joy for Glenelg Shire community groups

Published on 24 October 2023

Fifty hard working groups representing everything from historical societies to beach safety for swimmers will be able to make their next project a reality after the latest round of Glenelg Shire Council’s Community Grants Program.

Many of the community groups from throughout the Shire were on hand at the Portland Arts Centre on Wednesday night to receive their share of $79,548 in funding.

They were the successful applicants from Round 1 of the grants program, which takes place in two allocations each year.

Council allocates $162,000 to the program annually, and almost half of that was subscribed in the first round.

Successful applicants included the Narrawong District Association ($3000), which oversees the ‘Bush Nippers’ program at Narrawong Beach over the Christmas/New Year period, an initiative that has proven immensely popular in teaching water safety to children in the settlement.

The Sandford Bush Music Festival ($5000), Casterton’s Weekend of Cycling ($5000), Portland Dahlia and Rose Show ($2000) and Tyrendarra Show ($2500) are among the many popular annual events funded again, while Portland’s Filipino community also received $1000 towards the costs of holding a ball to celebrate their heritage.

Several of our far-flung Shire’s halls also received funding to help towards their upkeep, while the recreation category was most popular with 23 groups getting funding for their projects.

Groups can apply for grants of up to $5000 – for amounts $1000 and above they must contribute matching funding.

Glenelg Shire Council Mayor Scott Martin said the community grants announcement was one of the favourite jobs of the year for Councillors.

“It is a pleasure to support these hardworking volunteer groups in any way we can, and I know these grants go a long way,” Cr Martin said.

“Council’s contribution kickstarts a lot more activity as well, as this $79,000 of funding will support more than $300,000 in projects.

“I also take this opportunity to salute the amount of work these groups do as part of the fabric of our Shire, to make it such a great place to live.”

GRANT RECIPIENTS

Organisation, Project, Grant Amount

ARTS AND CULTURE

Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc Henty Group, Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc Henty Group Creative Arts Exhibition, $1,000.

Casterton and District Historical Society, Purchase of office furniture and polyethylene film for document storage, $995.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Portland Dahlia Society, Portland Dahlia and Rose Show, $2,000.

Portland Bay Classic Vehicles Inc, Classics By the Bay Show and Shine, $1,000.

Portland Classic Auto Club, Portland Classic Auto Club Show and Shine, $1,000.

Sandford Festival Committee Inc, Sandford Bush Music Festival, $5,000.

Tyrendarra Pastoral and Agricultural Society Inc, 106th Tyrendarra Show Advertising 2024, $2,500.

Wal Smith Cycling Foundation, Casterton Weekend of Cycling, $5,000.

Friends of the Great South West Walk, FGSWW 40th Anniversary, $3,300.

Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Pull Association, The Hotspur Smoky River Vintage Rally, $900.

Filipino Community of Portland Inc, Kundiman Ball: A Serenade to Filipino Heritage, $1,000.

Heywood Pony Club Inc, Heywood Pony Club 50th Anniversary, $500.

Portland Runners Club, Road Management for 41st Anniversary 3 Bays marathon, $5,000.

COMMUNITY STRENGTHENING

Portland RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated, Membership officer laptop, $1,000.

Rotary Club of Portland Inc, Club printer and scanner, $309.

Portland and Southwest Radio Club, Communications trailer fit out, $1,000.

Heywood Men's Talk Group Inc (Heywood Men's Shed), Office equipment, $1,000.

Portland Community Garden Inc, Raised garden beds for improved community access, $2,000.

Days4Girls Portland Vic, Hygiene kits for girls and women, $750.

Portland Quilters and Fibre Group, Studio equipment upgrade, $500.

Casterton Playgroup Inc, An office computer and software, $879.

Nelson Coastcare Inc, Weed work training and permit, $890.

Rotary Club of Casterton, Club trailer, $1,693.

PUBLIC HALLS

Strathdownie Memorial Hall, Securing our walls for the future, $2,500.

Narrawong Mechanics Hall Inc, Appliance upgrade for community groups, $995.91.

Bahgallah Memorial Hall Committee Inc, Recreation space and outdoor storage area, $1,300.

Digby Recreation Reserve and Hall Committee of Management, Digby Hall Table replacement, $948.

RECREATION

Casterton Field and Game Club, New Clay Target Throwers, $4,821.50.

Portland Heywood Field and Game, Clay trap trailer modification, $1,000.

Tahara Cricket Club, Replacement of existing cricket pitch, $2,800.

Glenelg Regional Netball Association, State Titles 2023 - First aid kit, $388.

Gorae Portland Cricket Club, Projector, $949.

Heywood Football Netball Club Inc, Bain-marie, $1,234.96.

Portland And District Adult Riding Club, Jumping Accessories, $500.

Portland Swimming Club Inc, Competitive Swim Equipment, $967.21.

Nelson Tennis Club, Nelson Tennis Club Maintenance 2023, $1,000.

Portland and District Eightball Association, Inter-town Competitions, $540.

Tahara Recreation Reserve, Gymkhana Pavillion maintenance, $985.

Portland Little Athletics Centre Inc, Portland Little Athletics Improvement Project, $4,095.

Portland Bowling Club Inc, Audio Systems Upgrade, $2,500.

Southern 500 Speedway Inc, Electronic ticketing, invoice, ordering system, $500.

Bahgallah Hall Indoor Bowls Social Group, Bowls Sporting Aid, $300.

Portland Football Netball Cricket Club, Wet Weather Uniforms for Umpires, $810.

Westerns Football Netball Club, Keep Alexandra Park Tidy Project, $1,000.

Portland Dog Obedience Club, Portable PA System for Trainers, $1,000.

Narrawong District Association Inc, 2024 Bush Nippers Program, $3,000.

Portland Colts Cricket Club, Kitchen Items Upgrade, $998.89.

Casterton Sporting Motorcycle Club Inc, Storage and Water Catchment, $2,500.

Casterton Amateur Basketball Association Inc, Basketball Equipment, $1,719.36.

Portland Netball Association, Equipment for NetSetGo Program, $979.94.