Council awards community grants

Sixteen local community groups will share close to $48,000 in grants as part of Mount Alexander Shire Council’s community grants program, which were announced last night at the Ordinary Meeting of Council.

Some of the projects include a literacy project for the Castlemaine Child Care Co-operative, new equipment for the Nuggetty Land Protection Group and a volunteering and mentoring initiative run by Windarring to link and connect people living with a disability with local community groups and businesses.

“We are so proud to support such an interesting array of projects and initiatives through our grants program,” said Lisa Knight, Director Corporate and Community Services, Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“It’s exciting to see so many applications for projects relating to health and wellbeing, with a strong focus on disability inclusion and support-related initiatives,” said Ms Knight.

“The Arts and Culture sector was also well represented,” she said.

Council received 24 applications for funding, which went through a rigorous assessment process.

“Thank you to all applicants for your passion, ideas and community-mindedness,” said Ms Knight.

“I encourage all groups who missed out this time to reapply for the next round of funding, which opens in July,” she said.

Grants will also go towards upgrading equipment at the Maldon Museum to protect and preserve their collection, an environmental dam rehabilitation project run by Chewton Bushlands and equipment to support Able Radio, a program of MAINfm.

“We have spoken with applicants about how we can support them to undertake their projects under the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and are happy to report they can still be delivered,” said Ms Knight.

“Community grants are a wonderful way for Council to support local organisations and volunteers, and to help deliver exciting projects that benefit the community,” she said,

A list of funded projects is available on the Community Grants section of Council’s website www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/CommunityGrants. Council has emailed all applicants regarding their submission.

The next round of Community Grants opens in July 2020. For more information contact the Community Partnerships team on 5471 1700 or grants@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Windarring – Volunteering and Mentoring initiative – $3,000.

Mt. Alexander Shire Accommodation Respite Group (MASARG) Inc. in partnership with Lions Club of Castlemaine and Rotary Club of Castlemaine – A Home of my Own' Whole of Community project' – $10,000.

Life Saving Victoria Ltd. – Open Water Learning Experience - Aquatic Safety Program - $3,000.

Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club – Supporting Social Non-Organised Sport for Adults – $3,000.

Castlemaine Pioneers & Old Residents' Association – Preparation of an Operations Manual for The Castlemaine Pioneers and Old Residents' Association – $2,800.

Newstead Art Salon Inc. – ‘In Your Face' - Art classes, with a focus on local portraiture - $3,000.

Maldon Museum and Archives Association Inc. – Valuing and protecting our community's history – $3,000.

Maldon Urban Landcare Inc. Gardening with indigenous plants in the Maldon district – $1,948.

Chewton Bushlands Association Inc. – Chewton Bushlands Association Re-wilding Project – $3,000.

Castlemaine Childcare Co-operative – The Castlemaine Childcare Co-op Literacy Project – $3,000.

Chewton Domain Society – Community Chairs for Chewton – $3,000.

Nuggetty Land Protection Group – Gazebos to share – $1,406.

MAINfm – Able Radio – equipment – $950.

Phoenix Chewton Country Women's Association of Victoria – Chewton Community Connections - two community lunches – $1,150.

Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre Ltd, – Hot Rod Heritage Interpretation Centre – $3,000.

Castlemaine Pony Club – Cross country improvements and first aid kits – $2,500.

TOTAL $47,754

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