Colac Otway celebrates grants program

Published on 26 June 2020

Colac Otway celebrates grants program

Sixty community groups, event organisers and businesses from across Colac Otway Shire are set to share in more than $200,000 in Council grants, and a round two will offer a further $108,000 in grants and include a new environmental projects category.

A variety of new equipment including defibrillators, IT upgrades, significant facility improvements and engaging new community programs are among the items which have been approved for funding at the June Ordinary Council Meeting, subject to the adoption of Colac Otway Shire’s 2020-21 Budget.

Mayor Cr Jason Schram said the Colac Otway Shire Grants Program was a fantastic initiative for the community and Council was proud to be able to support such a wide variety of clubs, groups, events and façade upgrades in round one of the program.

“I congratulate all the applicants and thank the community members and business representatives who took time to apply for these grants that will benefit the wider shire community.

“This coming year will be an important year for our community as COVID restrictions ease and I’m confident the grants program will provide a much-needed boost,” Cr Schram said.

“We received less applications than previous years, with the scheduled application period from March 10 to April 17 impacted by the COVID pandemic and the uncertainty for community groups and businesses.

“Colac Otway’s 2020-2021 Grants Program had an intended budget allocation of $311,500, subject to the adoption of Council’s 2020-2021 budget, with 68 applications received and 60 applications meeting the program guidelines.

“Colac Otway will now open round two of its 2020-21 Grants Program with a new category, and successful applications will be approved at the September Council Meeting.

“A total of $108,357 will be made available for applications to the existing four categories and the new Category 5 for environmental projects for small business with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million.

“Category 5 grants will be available for projects such as energy efficiency and/or water saving or water related public health initiatives, up to a maximum of $5,000 with a 1:1 cash contribution, and use of local trades and suppliers is encouraged. 

“This new category is in line with our Council Plan - to show leadership in our natural environment through good management practices and manage our shire for long-term sustainability,” he said.

“Council will provide guidelines and more information for applicants soon and I encourage business to start considering appropriate projects to potentially reduce their energy or water costs and help the environment.”

Successful Colac Otway Shire Grant Program 2020-21 applications include:

Category 1: Community Grants

1 Forrest Men's Shed: Solar power $7,650

2 Colac Makers' Space Inc: Growing arts opportunities at Colac Makers Space $3,169

3 Apollo Bay Men's Shed Inc: Facilities upgrade $5,000

4 Forrest Learning Centre: Mud garden for preschool and daycare Fun $3,684

5 Warrowie Recreation Reserve: Facelift for hall interior and men's toilets $2,488

6 Forrest and District Historical Society: Restore Forrest historical lock-up $2,500

7 Skenes Creek Advancement Association: Greening Skenes - Stage 2 $2,000

8 Irrewarra Cricket Club: Upgrade facilities $5,512

9 Red Rock Regional Theatre & Gallery: Installation of a security system $4,875

10 Lions Club of Colac Inc: Shed renovations $10,000

11 Wye River Separation Creek Community Association Inc: Wye River extended river walk $9,128

12 Elliminyt Public Hall Inc: Repaint the Elliminyt Hall $6,000

13 Beeac Golf Club Inc: Automatic watering system $4,058

14 Colac and District Chamber of Commerce Inc: Colac District Chamber Communications Project $1,512

15 Birregurra Bowling Club: External seating $5,000

16 Conservation Ecology Centre: Kitchen Gardening in Colac Otway $8,000

17 Colac Bowling Club Colac Bowling Club: Community Lawn Bowls Engagement Program $3,691

18 Colac Golf Club: Accessible toilet for Colac Golf Club $10,000

Category 2: Community Events and Support

1 Otway Tourist Park: Gellibrand River Blues & Blueberry Festival $5,000

2 Creative Otways Inc: Colac Otway Arts Trail $5,000

3 Warrion Public Hall Committee Inc: Warrion Flower Show $5,000

4 Elliminyt Primary School: School production 2020 $647

5 Rapid Ascent Pty Ltd: Otway Odyssey & Great Otway Gravel Grind $5,000

6 Colac Kana Festival $5,000

7 Colac RSL Sub Branch Inc: Colac Show 'n' Shine $5,000

8 Annual Colac Orchid Show $1,000

9 Apollo Bay Word Fest $2,000

10 Apollo Bay Edible Garden Trail $1,360

11 Pink Up Colac $2,000 

12 Rotary Club of Colac West: Melbourne Cup Luncheon $720

13 International Management Group: Great Ocean Road Running Festival $5,000

14 Forrest Lions Club: Forrest Soupfest $5,000

15 Apollo Bay Seafood Festival $10,000

16 Barongarook Landcare Group: Otway Food and Fibre Showcase $5,000

17 Colac Basketball Association Inc: Colac Basketball Junior Tournaments 2021 U12/14 U16/U18 $4,375

18 Southern Exposure:Run Forrest 2021 $5,000

19 Gellibrand Community House Inc: Community Dinner $3,000

20 Colac Leisure Runners Inc: Mother’s Day Classic Fun Run/Walk $2,000

Category 3: Small Grants

1 Colac Otway Archers Inc: Purchase Defibrillator $997

2 Alvie Cricket Club: Purchase playing equipment and new uniforms for 2020-2021 cricket season $1,930

3 U3A Apollo Bay Inc: Remakery initiative – Equipment purchase $918

4 Corangamite Pistol Club Inc: Purchase AED defibrillator for club facility $1,497

5 Colac Toy Library Inc: Toys and small storage shed for Toy Library $1,750

6 Polwarth & District Tennis Association: Tennis balls for Polwarth & District Tennis Association $2,000

7 Warncoort Tennis Club Court: cleaning equipment for Warncoort Tennis Club $882

8 Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club: IT upgrade $900

9 Birregurra Landcare: Habitat Improvement Program $2,000

10 Elliminyt Tennis Club: Defibrillator refit and mount $356

11 Beeac Progress Association: Park bench overlooking Lake Beeac $850

12 Barwon Downs Community Centre: Bain marie for community $1,700

13 Alvie Tree Planters: Lake Corangamite Reserve signage $1,500

14 OCR FM: Booth without a roof $1,980

15 Alvie Football Netball Club Inc: IT upgrade for football and netball departments $860

16 Beeac Community Centre Inc: Gloss the floor $600

17 Otway Districts Historical Society: Otway District Historical Society Panel Project $2,000

18 Positive Ageing Ambassadors: Wiser Driver & Safer Scooter Wiser Wheelchair Courses $1,800

Category 4: Building Façade

1 GD & KA Balcombe Pty Ltd: Facade upgrade $2,342

2 The Farmer's Son: Facade facelift $1,250

3 The Foot Man: facade $3,000

4 Stevens Communications Pty Ltd: Improvement to shop front $662