By TANIA PHILLIPS
A $5,000 grant will give Kingscliff Soccer Club a much needed boost but it is just the tip of the iceberg as the club looks to the future.
The grant, one of 53 for Tweed Byron groups, announced by Richmond MP Justine Elliot as part of the Federal Government’s 2013 volunteers grants, has been welcomed by club president Gillian Austen.
“What we’re using it for is sunshades for the kids especially at Walter Peate Oval,” she said.
“When we have carnivals we have no sun protection for them. We’re also using it for the coaches – we’re doing some coaching courses and supplying petrol vouchers for the coaches and managers because the volunteers do such a lot and the club can’t afford to give them anything back. We’re also getting a new barbecue.
“The courses are a considerable cost and we want to put them all through it so it just encourages them to come back next year. We’ve got that consistency and to make them feel appreciated.”
The club, which has 440 members – 100 seniors and 340 children – has been growing by five to 10 per cent every year but the planned move to a new ground at Depot Road, west of Kingscliff-Casuarina, has been put on hold according the club until work starts on the proposed Kings Forest Development.
“We’ve got a proposal at the moment to extend and renovate this clubhouse,” Gillian said.
“That is our next big task to get done. We’ve got a sub-committee and an architect is heading that up for us.
“We will be applying for grants after that. We have a proposal almost ready for one of the grants that is coming up.
“It’s about providing somewhere for all members to come. The seniors can hold social nights instead of meeting in a pub, the juniors can come and play table tennis, watch TV and have their gatherings here. We have people already inquiring, wanting to have social nights here themselves, weddings. But it’s not the greatest place. Holding functions here would put money back in to the club.”
Justine Elliot said she had had a lot to do with the club over many years and she knew how archaic the conditions of the clubhouse were.
“I encourage them to complete their submission and I’m happy to sit down and find out what’s available firstly at a State and council level – to try and get the whole clubhouse improved,” she said.
Ms Elliot said the volunteers grant meant community organisations in the Richmond electorate shared in more than $197,000 through the grants program this year.
Local MP Justine Elliot said 53 local organisations (see full list below) have been successful under the program and that the grants, which range between $1000 and $5000, will help volunteers meet the rising costs of running a not-for-profit organisation.
“The government recognises the invaluable contribution volunteers make to Australian society.
“They are the life-blood of our communities, but the increasing financial strains they are under makes it difficult for them to deliver the important services they provide to our community every day.
“These grants will help community organisations to purchase much-needed equipment or as a contribution towards training courses, background checks and transport costs of volunteers with disability who are unable to drive.”
