PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has handed out almost $100,000 in grants to local not-for-profit groups.
Mayor Peter Besseling presented cheques totalling $96,665 to more than 20 groups at a special ceremony in Port Macquarie. The council announced it would distribute another $56,000 under a second round of funding for projects across the local government area that bring people together, create a safer environment and foster inclusion.
Of the $96,665 handed out, almost $70,000 has gone to applicants in the general category for projects that align with the objectives of the council’s Towards 2030 Community Strategic Plan and that will benefit local residents. Another $15,000 has gone to volunteer environmental groups for environmental restoration works on public bushland while $11,900 has gone to local groups for Christmas and New Year’s Eve events that promote a sense of celebration and community connectedness.
The money being made available through the second round of funding represents the funding left over from the general category after round one. Of the funds left over in other categories for further allocation, $4800 will go towards the council’s Countdown to Christmas event, $20,000 will be spent on building works at non-council halls and $5000 will be used for on-ground works in public reserves across the local government area in accordance with the council’s operational plan.
Cr Besseling used the ceremony to congratulate the successful applicants and thank them for their efforts.
“Without the work you do our community wouldn’t be as good as it is,” he said.
He said the grants were designed to provide groups with a hand up as opposed to a hand-out.
“The council can’t do everything and the community can’t do everything. This is about a partnership,” he said.
General community grants went to:
* Alzheimer’s Australia: $9995 for the establishment of a dementia resource centre.
* Sailibility NSW Inc: $9270 for the purchase of a sailing dinghy.
* Hastings District Respite Care Inc: $7515 for workshops and performance.
* Port Macquarie Boxing Club: $4505 for the replacement of equipment and to accredit coaches.
* St Joseph’s Family Services: $2265 for Aboriginal cultural awareness training.
* Hastings Valley Miniature Railway Society Inc: $470 for work on a new track.
* Hastings Autism and Asperger’s Resource Group: $4500 to hold an autism awareness event.
* Uniting Care Burnside Hastings Family Support Service: $5000 for swimming lessons and packs and $2270 to run an Engaging Adolescents Program.
* Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc: $1915 for the purchase of a six-drawer plan cabinet.
* Girl Guides Telegraph Point: $1925 to help increase membership.
* Hastings Early Intervention Program: $2385 for the purchase of reading nooks and chairs.
* Wauchope Poultry Club: $3520 for the purchase of new stackable chairs.
* Community Housing Limited: $5000 towards the running of a 2014 Youth Homelessness Matters Day.
* Mid Coast Care (Hope Shop): $4750 towards a new volunteer kitchenette.
* Riding for the Disabled Kendall Centre: $880 for the purchase of eight new horse rugs.
Environmental grants:
* Port Macquarie Landcare Group: $5000 to reinforce local bush regeneration and community involvement and $5000 to reduce the weed load through a catchment approach.
* Friends of Kooloonbung: $5000 to eradicate noxious weeds from the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve grants:
* Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism: $3500 for Santa walks along the streets of Laurieton, North Haven and Kendall.
* Werin Aboriginal Clinic: $3000 for the region’s Aboriginal community to celebrate Christmas.
* Wauchope Chamber of Commerce and Industry: $3900 towards the Wauchope and Hinterland Christmas Celebration.
* Lake Cathie-Bonny Hills Lions Club: $1500 towards Carols by the Lake 2013 at the Lake Cathie Foreshore Reserve.
