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Community benefits from $250,000 in grants

Bass Coast Shire Council congratulated successful grant recipients at a special presentation event at the Phillip Island Golf Club on Monday, 19 June.

By Portal Admin - 27th June 2017 - Back to News

Community groups and organisations received almost $250,000 in funding as part of the first round of Bass Coast Community Grants 2017, as well as the Phillip Island Community Benefit Fund (PICBF).

There were 36 successful Community Grants recipients, with funding totalling $108,569.

Grants ranged from $10,000 for the Phillip Island Golf Club to replace pump and irrigation infrastructure to $4,985 for Paul’s Table to purchase equipment to deliver high quality, low cost meals to community members twice a week to encourage social inclusion.

The Wonthaggi Theatrical Group also received $3,200 to purchase equipment to build sets for its productions, and the Wonthaggi Life Saving Club was granted $5,000 to enable them to research the history of the Club and Cape Paterson Bay Beach.

The PICBF was a one-off funding program offering not-for- profit group on Phillip Island grants derived from losses on electronic gaming machines at The Continental Hotel in Cowes.

Nine recipients received a combined $140,343 from the PICBF, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

Bass Coast Health received $24,520 to purchase a vehicle, to be based on Phillip Island, which will be used by volunteers to take patients to medical appointments both locally and in Melbourne.

St John’s Uniting Church also received a significant grant of $22,188 to upgrade its kitchen so the Church can continue to provide a free weekly meal to the community.

Reverend Ian Tunnidge said the funding meant a great deal to the founders and volunteers, enabling them to continue to provide meals to the community.

"The number of people coming to enjoy a meal with us has grown from 13 to over 50 in less than 12 months," Rev. Tunnidge said.

"We were very excited last week to see our ‘regulars’ encourage new people to join with them to eat, so a positive spin-off is the inclusion that is happening in our community."

The Phillip Island Movie Club also received $5,275 to upgrade its technology and equipment.

Movie Club member, Elizabeth Mulhern, said they were very grateful for the funding, with new state of the art equipment enabling the Movie Club to show a greater variety of films.

"The Club is so important to our residents as it brings people together and also helps keep them informed through a variety of media, from lighthearted films to informative documentaries."

Cr Michael Whelan, who presented successful recipients with their grants at the presentation ceremony alongside Cr Stephen Fullarton, Cr Bruce Kent and Cr Clare Le Serve, said Council was fortunate to have many volunteers working in all spheres of the community.

"This includes people maintaining our sporting and recreational facilities, those protecting the environment, parents fundraising for kindergartens and volunteers of emergency, health and service organisations," Cr Whelan said.

The second round of the Bass Coast Community Grants 2017 is now open for applications and will close on Friday, 4 August. More information is available at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/grants.

Recipients of the Bass Coast Community Grants Round 1 2017.

Recipients of the Phillip Island Community Benefit Fund grants.

For more information contact:

Simone Short

communications officer

t (03) 5671 2703 | f (03) 5671 2222 | m 0400 804 187

e s.short@basscoast.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com