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Southern Rural Water's 2024 sponsorships: Empowering communities and supporting local initiatives across Southern Victoria

Southern Rural Water proudly supported eight organisations in 2024, enhancing community wellbeing, education, sustainability, and inclusion through impactful sponsorships, including cultural events, sports clubs, and school sustainability projects.

By news@gippsland - 18th December 2024 - Back to News

As we tie a bow this year and look forward to the next, we're embracing the season of good will to reflect on the positive impact we've delivered across southern Victoria through sponsorship. Manager, Communication, Strategy and Business Planning Gemma Abela said Southern Rural Water was proud to support local communities. We've helped eight organisations in 2024 through sponsorship and participation in community events," she said.

Southern Rural Water sponsorship supports small schools and clubs, funding vital improvements, equipment, and fostering health, inclusion, and community connectivity

Fostering community development

Ms Abela said, "From promoting female leadership in agribusiness in Gippsland, getting new gear for Wellington Toy Library and backing local cultural events, to installing a new water fountain at Maffra Bowls Club and helping Manor Lakes College fund their school sustainability project, our support has allowed them to make a real difference."

We wanted to showcase the organisations we've worked with and celebrate what they're doing to bring new opportunities and create social cohesion in our communities. Education is fundamental to giving people the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and it's why the past two years, we've been proud to sponsor the St Michael's of Heyfield Primary School Duck Cup.

Our support is important because the school is small and without help, school families would be required to fundraise more often. Sponsorship money has helped make continual improvements to the school, its facilities and equipment and been used to buy new sports equipment, a kitchen for cooking classes, library books, new classroom readers, playground equipment, music equipment and classroom televisions to name a few.

Sport builds community

Sport has the power to improve a person's physical and mental health and build community connectivity through inclusion and shared goals. It's why we've backed the Maffra Cricket Club and Maffra Bowls Club.

Bowls Club President Phill Clifford said Southern Rural Water's sponsorship has helped towards the cost of purchasing and installing a refrigerated drinking fountain. "Cool, clean and accessible water will make a real difference, particularly in summer, for our 150 members as well as the teams who travel here for tournaments. We do not have pokies and rely entirely on sponsorships, grants, membership and tournament fees for our income. So, we're grateful to Southern Rural Water for helping us out," he said.

Inclusive cricket access

Cricket Club President Sam McLaverty said sponsorship has helped them to keep membership costs down and make it more affordable for people to participate in cricket. "We want the club to be a family orientated place where boys and girls, men and women from all backgrounds are welcome to play," he said.

"A tough economic climate means membership can be challenging for some families and sponsorship money goes a long way to helping us keep fees low. So, thank you for helping us keep sport affordable for locals," he said.

Mardi Gras support

Rotary Club of Maffra President Claire Cochrane said sponsorship from local businesses was vital to running the much-loved annual Mardi Gras event. "The Mardi Gras is a flagship event that brings everyone together in a carnival-like atmosphere with face-painting, a petting zoo, music, a street parade and food and craft stalls," she said.

"Thanks to sponsorship, we can provide free kids entertainment and enable the whole community to participate regardless of their economic circumstances. It's a joy to see so many smiling faces at the Mardi Gras and we thank Southern Rural Water for their contribution," she said.

Local sustainability support

The Wellington Toy Library is a volunteer run, not for profit organisation that has been serving Sale surrounds for over 40 years. This year we helped them buy a new water play table and reusable children's party packs to help local parents move away from single use items. Wellington Toy Library President Angela Reynolds said our sponsorship has allowed them to continue delivering equipment and services that promote sustainability, connection and learning.

"Water play isn't just fun for small kids, it helps them explore important science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) concepts like density and volume early in life. The water table is already a favourite with members and the party packs are helping us reduce landfill waste and saving our members money," he said.

Water week sponsorship

Closer to Melbourne, we partnered with urban water corporations Greater Western Water and Wannon Water to co-sponsor the National Water Week school prize for sustainability. National Water Week is an Australia-wide initiative that inspires individuals, communities, and organisations to build awareness around the value of water.

This year, Manor Lakes College in Wyndham Vale earned a $500 prize for their creativity in producing posters that encourage more resourceful care and use of water. These funds will be used towards developing a sustainability project at the school.

Staying in the Wyndam area, Frith Littleford from the Wyndham Community and Education Centre said our sponsorship has been incredibly important to the success of the Wyndham Learning Festival.

Wyndham learning support

The Wyndham Learning Festival is an annual series of events and provides opportunities for free learning activities across the City of Wyndham. "It's helped us deliver events that are inclusive, engaging, and impactful. Partnerships like this are vital to keeping the festival free and accessible to everyone in Wyndham. We're so grateful for Southern Rural Water's support and the positive impact it has made on our community."

Ms Abela encouraged local community groups, charity or not-for-profit organisations in a rural or regional area in southern Victoria, to look at Southern Rural Water's sponsorship criteria to see if their initiative or project could be eligible to apply for sponsorship.

"Whether it's community events, fundraisers for charitable projects, we are interested to financially support initiatives that enhance community cohesion and social connectedness - the things that bind local communities we work in together," she said. More information is available on our sponsorship page.

Pictures from Southern Rural Water website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Cr John White recognised for 10 Years of dedicated service representing East Gippsland communities on council
  East Gippsland Councillor John White has been recognised for 10 years of service, including two terms as Mayor, advocating for local priorities and representing communities across government levels.
• Bass Coast Shire Council traineeships open pathways to local careers and opportunities
  Bass Coast Council’s 2026 traineeship program supports seven trainees with practical experience, qualifications and career pathways. Applications for 2027 are expected early next year, with opportunities showcased at Phillip Island September expo.
• New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
  Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment.
• Tarwin River partnership launches six projects for catchment restoration and community stewardship across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA has launched Together for the Tarwin, funding six projects over 18 months to restore wetlands, waterways and habitats while strengthening community stewardship across the Tarwin catchment.
• Better Place Australia opens new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland amid rising community needs
  Better Place Australia has opened a new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland, addressing challenges including family separation, violence, financial stress and child vulnerability.
• Latrobe City Council schedules 40 kilometres of road upgrades across municipality
  Latrobe City Council will resurface 40 kilometres of local roads during 2026/27, including resealing and asphalt works across six communities to improve safety, extend road life and prevent potholes.
• Wilsons Promontory whale watching offers front-row seats to annual migration
  Wanderer Adventures offers seasonal whale watching cruises from Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory, bringing passengers close to migrating humpback and southern right whales, fur seals and spectacular coastal scenery aboard eco-tourism vessels.
• Moe Inline Hockey Championships secure five-year council funding, expected to boost $15M into local economy through visitor spending
  Latrobe City Council will provide $100,000 over five years to support Moe’s Australian Inline Hockey Club Championships, expected to generate $15 million locally through visitor spending and accommodation.
• Wellington Shire Council retains three-bin waste system as landfill waste falls, delivering savings and supporting long-term waste management
  Wellington Shire Council will retain its three-bin kerbside waste service after landfill waste fell more than 40 per cent, reducing disposal costs and supporting lower household waste charges.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election candidates to fund critical projects before Victorian state election in November
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital.
• Latrobe City Council pushes for jobs, investment, housing and community safety during Victorian Parliament delegation
  Latrobe City Council has urged Victorian leaders to back jobs, housing, investment, community safety, energy transition projects and infrastructure to strengthen long-term regional economic growth.
• Macalister Irrigation District schedules submerged weed treatments for November and December to improve channel capacity and water delivery
  Macalister Irrigation District will treat submerged weeds in irrigation channels during November and December 2026, improving water delivery. Customers must avoid treated water for 72 hours after treatment.
• Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
  Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges community advocacy for major projects ahead of Victorian state election
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging residents to support advocacy for the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension and urgent Warragul-Drouin intersection upgrades ahead of the Victorian state election.
• Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
  East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026.
• Morwell’s Icon Industrial receives $1.9M to upgrade infrastructure, attract investment, create jobs and diversify the local economy
  Morwell’s Icon Industrial development has received a $1.9 million grant for road, sewer, water and drainage upgrades, supporting investment, job creation and economic diversification as the region transitions from traditional industries.