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Mallacoota Pony Club getting ready to resume operations using $296,000 grant from federal Local Economic Recovery program

Local MP Darren Chester has congratulated members of the Mallacoota Pony Club for getting work underway to resume operations.

By news@gippsland - 24th January 2022 - Back to News

Local MP Darren Chester said the club received $296,000 through the bushfires Local Economic Recovery program along with donations to rebuild facilities after the Black Summer bushfires. "Mallacoota Pony Club has been part of the community for more than 40 years and an important part of life for many locals," Mr Chester said.

Mallacoota Pony Club is delighted to announce it has been successful in receiving a Local Economic Recovery grant, to rebuild its club grounds and continue its 40-year history

Success in the application

Mr Chester said, "The Black Summer bushfires had such a devastating impact on the club facilities and it is a testament to the club members and volunteers to see terrific progress for current and future generations of riders."

The Commonwealth and the Victorian Governments have each provided $34.3 million towards this program, with $68.6 million available for projects and programs including East Gippsland. The Local Community Project Grants will support projects that are important to achieving the aspirations and priorities of local communities.

Mallacoota Pony Club is one of the successful applicants for round 2 of the local community projects funded in East Gippsland to support sustainable bushfire recovery, receiving $296,000 to rebuild the Mallacoota Pony Club facilities.

Mallacoota's Pony Club membership has grown substantially over the past year, with many young riders starting their training

Upgrade works to be done

The grant, administered by Bushfire Recovery Victoria, will provide $296,000 to the club, which will see the following scope of works:

• Finalisation of roadworks
• Car Parking facilities
• Amenities
• Three-grade level cross country course Development
• Additional fencing
• Seating
• Solar power for the grounds

The Mallacoota Pony Club is a fun, friendly and family orientated club that teaches horsemanship and basic riding skills in a supportive club environment to junior and adult riders.

Rebuilding for future riders

The Mallacoota Pony Club provides instruction, competition opportunities, and social riding, with qualified instructors visiting on a monthly basis. It caters for members as young as four, right through to seniors and has been very successful in bringing together people from the region for social and community connection benefits. The club rebuilding project was triggered by the devastation to the club's facilities in the 2019/20 bushfires.

The rebuild will provide the opportunity for other groups to utilise the grounds for purposes other than horse riding, with future uses possibly incorporating bushwalking, birdwatching, night sky watchers, mountain biking, markets and movies.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP Facebook page and Mallacoota Pony Club Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com