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Over $400,000 In Community Grants Announced

Latrobe City Council has awarded more than $400,000 in community grants for 2009/10, with 164 community groups or organisations receiving the tick of approval for their applications.

By Latrobe City Council - 11th September 2009 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council mayor, Cr Lisa Price, said the funds offer support to organisations that are the backbone of our community.

"The work these organisations do is invaluable to the local community. Their efforts include supporting physical wellbeing, educating our youth, assisting the elderly and preserving and promoting our local area.

"The grants program is just a small way in which we are able to give back to these organisations and the outstanding work they do for our community," Cr Price said.

"Grants are allocated under three categories: events, community development and minor capital works. Recipients of grants in the events category include The Churchill and District News for the Churchill Festival; Make Moe Glow Inc for the Moe/Walhalla 100 Years of Steam and the Latrobe Rose and Garden Show for the Annual Spring Show, Morwell.

"In the community development category, recipients include Morwell Neighbourhood House for the Festivals of Fun in the Park and Gippsland Asbestos Related Disease Support for their asbestos newsletter.

"Recipients in the minor capital works category include Toongabbie Recreation Reserve to help drought proof the reserve; Gippsland Model Engineering Society for the purchase of a Victorian Railway gate; Moe Pony Club Inc for the replacement of outdated and unsafe equipment; and Yinnar South Citizens Association for stage two works to the community hall," Cr Price said.

President of Moe Pony Club, Mr Jamie Hunt, said that the grant would allow the club to update its show jumping equipment, significantly improving the safety of the riders.

"We were delighted to receive notification that we had been successful in our application. The equipment we use at the moment is around twenty years old. There are protrusions on the supports that are dangerous and the poles are rough and heavy to manoeuvre.

"The new equipment we intend to purchase is smoother, lighter and easier to handle," Mr Hunt said.

"The club has been fundraising to contribute to the cost of buying the new equipment. We hold three events a year: a combined training event, a horse show and a dressage day, which will be held at the club in Saviges Road on 13 September.

"When we purchase our new equipment, we will be able to add a fourth event - show jumping, which will not only boost our annual funds, but will add to the range of events our members can participate in.

"We have fourteen riding members from age 8 to 19, and they are very excited about buying the new equipment," Mr Hunt said.

Co-ordinator of the Churchill Festival, Tracey Burr, said that receiving the grant would mean that many of the behind the scenes activities could be taken care of.

"Running an event as large as the Churchill Festival requires a lot of organisation. We have to hire the facilities at Gaskin Park, including a toilet block for people with a disability and organise rubbish collection.

"The last event attracted around 2000 people, so it is a large festival in terms of numbers. We have to invite all the organisations that want a stall, such as the CFA, charities, community groups such as scouts, playgroups etc, and ensure that there are adequate refreshment stalls too," Ms Burr explained.

"This year, we are also organising sports clinics so that members of the community can try their hand at tennis, footy, soccer, golf and baseball.

"The Churchill Festival has grown significantly since its inception as a small fair held in the local shopping area. The event is now an important social and community date in the Churchill calendar, helping to support the many hardworking community organisations in the area, and we are indebted to Latrobe City Council for providing us the funds to continue this event," Ms Burr concluded.

The Churchill Festival will be held on Saturday 20 March 2010 at Gaskin Park.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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