$173,000 in grants presented to 44 Sunraysia-based organisations

Published on 12 December 2017

From installing solar panels at local kindergartens and a program to help cancer patients feel better about their appearance, through to restoration works to an historic steam engine, the latest recipients of Council’s grants program cover a diverse range of projects and groups in our community.

Council will tonight present 44 Sunraysia-based groups, clubs and organisations with more than $173,000 in funding through the Recreation, Community Projects and Environmental Grants programs.

Mildura Mayor Mark Eckel congratulated the latest round of grants recipients, not only on their successful applications, but for the countless hours of work and innovation they’ve put into their respective programs.

“I always look forward to our grants presentation evenings, as it’s a chance to find out more about some of the wonderful programs our community are running, as well as playing a part in their success through the funding we are able to provide,” Cr Eckel said.

“Looking through our list of recipients in this latest round of grant funding, the sheer breadth of projects and the people and groups in our community they cater for is amazing.”

Council’s Recreation Grants program provides financial assistance to local sport and recreation groups to maintain and develop their facilities as well as develop programs and opportunities for the community. There are 20 recipients who will receive more than $64,000 in this round.

The latest round of projects to receive funding in this category include road sealing at the entrance to Sunraysia Drag Racing Association’s Sunset Strip ($6000), building upgrades at the Mildura and Irymple Bowls Clubs ($6000 each), spectator seating for Mildura West Cricket Club and realignment of tennis courts at Red Cliffs Lawn Tennis Club.

The Community Grants program is designed to help non-profit organisations and groups with funding for innovative projects or service enhancements that target recognised high-need groups in the community. There are 18 recipients who will receive more than $89,000 dollars in this round.

Projects to receive funding this week include Sunraysia Animal Rehousing Group for its Happy Pet Community Education Program ($6000), Sunraysia Residential Services’ Get Physical @ Benetook Farm ($4572) to provide exercise options for people reliant on mobility aids, and Cancer Patients Foundation’s Look Good Feel Better program, which helps cancer patients manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment ($3000).

Council’s Environmental Project Grant program meanwhile helps local community groups and non-profit organisations with environmental projects that meet the goals of our Community and Council Plan 2017 – 2021. Six recipients will receive more than $19,000 in this round.

This round’s recipients include Mildura West and Irymple Kindergartens for the installation of solar panel systems ($4000 each), Zoe Support’s The Greening of Zoe, which outlines a range of energy and water saving measures at all four Zoe Support centres ($2691) and Greening Mildura’s Project Beanstalk ($1500).

“I’d like to thank all 44 grants recipients in this round of funding for their ongoing efforts in delivering innovative programs and facilities for our community and encourage other like-minded groups to apply for funding in the next round,” Cr Eckel said.

Applications are still open for Council’s Events Funding and Support Program grants scheme, which is designed for events held between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019. Applications will be taken until Friday 2 March 2018. For more information visit www.mildura.vic.gov.au.

Recreation Development Grant:

Applicant	Project	Description	Recommended Funding
Mildura Horse Complex	Portable grandstand seating	Purchase of seating	$1,000.00
Sunraysia Academy of Sport	Vertical jump testing equipment	Purchase of new equipment	$866.00
Mildura Bowls Club Inc.	Bowling Green	Purchase of boundary pegs for bowling greens	$677.45
Sunraysia Volleyball Inc.	Volleyballs	Purchase of volleyballs	$1,000.00
Mildura West Cricket Club Inc.	Equipment upgrade	Protective equipment including helmets, batting pads and wicket keeping gloves	$1,000.00
Sunraysia Residential Services	Outdoor Exercise Circuit	Promotional maps for outdoor exercise circuit	$1,000.00
Merbein South Cricket Club Inc.	Cricket balls	Purchase of cricket balls	$953.00
Merbein South Cricket Club Inc.	Portable scoreboards	Purchase of new portable scoreboards	$1,000.00
Mildura District Ski Club	Accessible ski dock	Purchase of accessible ski dock	$1,000.00
Total			$8,496.45

Recreation Facilities Upgrade:

Applicant	Project	Description	Recommended Funding
Mildura Bowls Club	Kitchen Upgrade	Kitchen alterations including ceiling upgrade	$6,000.00
Red Cliffs Lawn Tennis Club	Tennis Court Upgrade	Realignment of tennis courts to meet Tennis Victoria guidelines including new net posts and nets	$5,165.00
Fire Brigade Cricket Club	Kitchen upgrade	Cabinetry, plumbing and electrical upgrades	$4,370.67
Irymple Bowls Club Inc	Kitchen upgrade	Cabinetry, plumbing and electrical upgrades	$6,000.00
Merbein Junior Football Club	Timekeeper’s box	Construction of timekeeper’s box	$6,000.00
North West Victoria Adult Riding Club	Kitchen upgrade	Installation of a new oven	$1,432.00
Irymple Football Netball Club	Kitchen upgrade	Bench tops and plumbing upgrades	$6,000.00
Mildura West Cricket Club	Spectator seating	Installation of spectator seating	$2,930.00
Mildura & District Gem and Mineral Club Inc	Building improvements	Ceiling upgrade and air-conditioning installation	$6,000.00
Mildura West Cricket Club Inc	Storage shed	Construction of storage shed	$6,000.00
Sunraysia Drag Racing Association	Road sealing	Sealing of entrance road way	$6,000.00
Total			$55,897.67

Community Project Grant Program

Applicant	Project Title	Description	Recommended Funding
Sunraysia Animal Rehousing Group	Happy Pet Community Education Program	Promotion of responsible pet ownership, education workshops, Open Day event and increase membership.	$6,000.00
Sunraysia Residential Services Inc	Get Physical @ Benetook Farm	Outdoor bike and exercise circuit designed for all types of mobility aids.	$4,572.00
Mildura Print Triennial Incorporated T/A Australian Print Triennial	Australian Print Triennial - Community Workshops	Workshops for vulnerable groups and general public providing visual communication skills, self-esteem and inclusiveness.	$4,935.00
Zoe Support Australia	Zoe Netball Team - a Game Changer	Develop a netball team, with provision of uniforms, transport, fees, coach and childcare.	$6,000.00
Red Cliffs Cricket Association (RCCA)	Return of the Tigers	Purchase equipment and transport to reestablish junior cricket for boys and girls	$6,000.00
Mildura Fijian Association Inc (MFCA) (auspiced by SMECC)	MFCA Mobile Sports & Entertainment Trailer	Mobile trailer to be utilised for transporting sporting and entertainment equipment.	$6,000.00
Carers Victoria Mildura	4C's (Connecting, Collaborating & Communicating	Provide a program of information, education and self-	$5,000.00
	with Carers)	help sessions for Family Carers.
Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society	McLaren Traction Engine Restoration Stage 3	Complete works associated with Stage 3 of restoration.	$6,000.00
Kathleen Kelly Kindergarten	Bush Kinder	Providing opportunity to learn and explore their local natural environment.	$5,500.00
Ouyen Livestock Exchange Inc.	Ouyen Livestock Exchange Kitchen Upgrade	Weatherproof and repair the kitchen to maintain health standards.	$6,000.00
The Unit Support Committee TS Mildura Incorporated	Cadet Water Safety	Purchase of boat motor to assist with safety of the cadets whilst they participate in their water activities.	$5,333.00
Cancer Patients Foundation	Look Good Feel Better	Assisting cancer patients to manage the appearancerelated side-effects caused by cancer treatment.	$3,000.00
Mildura Red Cliffs Rifle Club Inc.	Electronic Target	Purchase an electronic target to replace manually manipulated cardboard targets.	$3,396.80
Murrayville Museum & Heritage Society Inc	Museum Shed Power Installation	To install electricity to museum shed enabling more display space	$1,926.00
Mildura Turkish Islamic Ass.inc.	Youth Engagement Program	Educational programs to address drug use and mental health	$5,029.00 In-principle
Mallee Family Care Inc	Mildura Early Years Conference	Information session for the Community as part of Early Years Conference.	$3,064.00
Sunraysia Academy of Sport	Healthy Body=Healthy Mind	Deliver holistic strength and conditioning training and education sessions.	$6,000.00
Diggerland Community Services Inc	Laneway Connection	Opening up one of the Red Cliffs laneways to connect the culturally diverse community with music, activity and food	$5,690.00
Total:			$89,445.80

Environmental Project Grant Program

Applicant	Project Title	Description	Recommended Funding
Sunraysia Residential Services	Waste not Want not @ Benetook	Recycle, Reuse, Redesign equals reduced waste and surplus items that fill our land fill accumulated in our community.	$3,972
Mildura West Kindergarten	Capture the Sun	Install a solar panel system	$4,000
Greening Mildura (auspice by Sunraysia Sustainability Network)	Project Beanstalk	Revegetation focus making “seed bombs” using native species and involving local students and agriculture experts (and drone operator).	$1,500
Irymple Kindergarten	Irymple Kindergarten Solar Panels	Install a solar panel system	$4,000
Christie Centre	Waste avoidance and waste reduction at Mildura Landfill Waste Transfer Station	To reduce the amount of goods going into landfill at the Mildura Landfill Waste Transfer Station.	$3,600
Zoe Support	The Greening of Zoe	Introduction of energy saving and water saving features at all four Zoe centres.	$2,691.40
Total:			$19,763.40