Community grants recipients announced

Community groups across the region have been awarded $178,637.19 in Central Highlands Regional Council’s first community grants round in 2019.

The 21 successful applicants were announced in the general council meeting on 26 March 2019 and the new community improvement category was off to a good start.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said it was a tough choice for the panel.

‘We had forty applications for the first community grant round this year and it’s great to see the variety of important work community groups do,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘Particularly with our new community improvement category, we can see exciting projects go ahead.

‘Council offers two rounds of community grants each calendar year and I encourage those who missed out this round to apply for round two of our community grants program.

‘The second round will open in mid-July and closes on 31 August.’

The Capella Pioneer Village received one of six community improvement grants for a project to preserve and paint the Peak Downs homestead exterior.

Secretary Maureen Burns welcomed the funding and said it will preserve an important part of the region’s and Australian history.

‘The 150-year old Peak Downs homestead is the only large restored settlers’ homestead in the Central Highlands and important community asset,’ Ms Burns said.

‘Nails were not used in the solid hardwood wall construction, they are all mortise and tenon jointed.

‘We believe it may be the only publicly accessible building of its kind in Australia.

‘The funding will ensure that it continues to be a drawcard for visitors and educational facility for school groups.’

Central Highlands Cricket received a $5,000 grant in the sports and recreation category towards its work of strengthening cricket clubs in the region.

President Robert Gale said the organisation will engage a consultant to develop a strategic plan for cricket in the region.

‘The strategic plan will help our members to engage in future facility planning and provide training for cricket clubs to use the governance tools supplied by council,’ Mr Gale said.

‘Our clubs have seen rapid growth in cricket numbers and we want to make sure the sport stays in the region and perhaps attract representative cricket as well.’

For further information click here, phone 1300 242 686 or visit your local council customer service centre.

Community Grants 2019 - Round 1 OrganisationProjectCategoryGrant amount Borilla Community Kindergarten Internal storage facility upgrade Community assistance $5,000 Dingo Race Club Inc 30th anniversary World Cup Dingo trap throwing competition Community assistance $5,000 Springsure RSL Sub Branch Ceiling replacement at Springsure RSL Hall Community assistance $5,000 Dingo State School Parents and Citizens Association Town Hall catering upgrade Community assistance $4,995 Capella St Vincent de Paul SocietyCooler heads Community assistance $4,282 Emerald Town Band Central Highlands Festival of Bands Community assistance $2,359 Blackwater State High School Parents and Citizens Association 43rd annual art competition and exhibition Community assistance $350.00 Capella Pioneer Village Peak Downs homestead exterior maintenance Community improvement $20,000 Emerald Show Society Inc Grandstands Community improvement$20,000 Emerald High State School Parents and Citizens Association ESHS Bites Community improvement$20,000 Rotary Club of Emerald All abilities playground Community improvement$20,000 Springsure Gun Club Inc Childrens playground Community improvement$19,057 Comet Sporting and Agricultural Show Society Inc CSASS facilities upgrade Community improvement$15,875 Central Highlands Cricket Inc Strengthening Central Highlands cricket clubs Sports and recreation $5,000 Dingo Rodeo Club Kitchen equipment and small appliances Sports and recreation $5,000 Duaringa Golf Club Signage replacement Sports and recreation $5,000 Emerald Rodeo Association Amenity block upgrade Sports and recreation $5,000 Gemfields Playgroup Community playgroup equipment Sports and recreation $5,000 Springsure Jockey Club Boundary fence replacement Sports and recreation $5,000 Rural Skate Park Development Initiative Many Mobs Festival NAIDOC Week 2019 Sports and recreation $3,734.19 Emerald Bowls Club Sun protection Sports and recreation$2,985