Council allocates $247K in Annual Grants
Published: 24 Aug 2020 10:25pm
Wagga Wagga City Council has supported 76 community and small business projects through its 2020/21 Annual Grants Program.
Council endorsed allocating $247,000 in funding across 10 grant categories, including various cultural, environmental, sporting and youth-led initiatives.
The Annual Grants Program this year attracted 144 applications – the highest number received in recent years – in the following categories:
Community Programs and Projects, Recreational Facilities, Neighbourhood and Rural Villages, Rural Halls, Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, Local Heritage, Events, Natural Environment, Youth Led Initiatives and Small Business.
An additional $20,000 was made available in the Small Business category. The additional amount was endorsed at the 13 July 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting as part of Council’s relief package to support the local economy.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said the Annual Grants Program was a popular initiative which signalled Council’s significant support for community events, ideas, programs and the local business community.
“Needless to say it has been a particularly hard six months and now, more than ever, it is important for Council to show its full support across the entire community,” Cr Conkey said.
“The Annual Grants Program allows us to support a diverse range of projects that directly benefit our community.
“It is always encouraging to see a strong response to the program and I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition over the next year.
“The grants cover a wide range of projects and initiatives which reinforces how diverse, inclusive and progressive our community is.”
Cr Conkey also made special mention of local small businesses, which he said were facing significant challenges amid the impacts of the pandemic.
“Council is mindful of the impact the pandemic has had on small business and as a community we need to show our support,” Cr Conkey said.
“This year’s small business grant was increased by $20,000 to $32,500 and 10 businesses have shared in that funding.”
The grants program aligns with Council’s Community Strategic Plan and is part of its commitment to helping foster a strong and creative community.
SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL GRANTS RECIPIENTS
EVENTS – TOTAL: $45,000
Rewild $2K
Rewild Community Event: Sustainable and ecofriendly products offered by small business.
Riverina Truck Show and Kids Convoy $3K
A truck convoy down the main street followed by a display of trucks in the Cross Street Car Park.
Rvwang Community of Wagga Wagga $6K
Rvwang Mvnor Festival: Build strong connections with the wider community and pay respect to the traditional custodians of the land.
Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga $6K
Harmony in Action: Bring people together to share a meal and a range of other activities.
ErinEarth $2K
Promotional products for Sculptures@ErinEarth Gardens 2021
Active Farmers $4K
Run for Resilience: a cross country style running event with 21km run,10km and 5km run or walk categories.
Southern Cross Austereo $4K
Wagga Christmas Spectacular.
Wagga Triants Triathlon Club $3K
Ladysmith Duathlon.
Apex Club of South Wagga Wagga Inc $3K
2021 World Championship Gumi and Duck Race.
Bidgee Strawberries and Cream $5K
Bidgee Berry Festival: Celebrate local; food, wine and music to mark the beginning of the strawberry season.
Roseanne Powell $7K
Wagga Aboriginal Healing Day.
ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES - TOTAL: $25K
Dominique Sweeney $2.5K
The Long Project is over four years with a national award-winning playwright creating a production for and with Wagga Wagga-based CSU acting students.
Student and Alumni Photography Club $2K
To employ visiting professional artists to deliver a series of advanced photographic skills workshops and artist talks in Wagga Wagga.
Dane Simpson $2.8K
Comedy workshops to help local performers develop skills as comedians.
Ainsley Jenkins $4,175
Unravel is a 6 x 5 minute drama web series. It will be produced and filmed in Wagga Wagga with a local cast and crew. The series will be submitted to national and international festivals and published on a website for free viewing.
Kate Smith $2.5K
To present an exhibition of new contemporary art work as part of the ‘Renew Wagga shopfront application program’.
The Tin Shed Rattlers $2K
The Tin Shed Rattlers 50th Anniversary CD.
Michael Agzarian $5K
In My Blood is a multifaceted art and cultural project involving members of the Wagga Wagga community from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Riverina Community College $1.4K
Eight artists from The Art Factory Supported Studio will work towards creating an exhibition to be featured in an accessible alternative space in Wagga Wagga.
Wagga Community Band $2,625
To purchase Concert Band sheet music for the use of both Beginner and Concert Bands.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & PROJECTS - TOTAL: $30K
Jasmine Williams $4,090
"Dhuluyarra" (Speak Truly) Aunty and Uncle Audio/Visual Elders project.
Wagga Aus-Sri Lanken Cultural Association (WASCA) $500
“Culture & Rhythm Rejoice" is an annual Sri Lankan cultural event.
Wagga Africa Association (Wafrica) Inc $2,450
Kukaa Salama na Kungamana Pamoja (Staying Safe and Connected) aims at engaging CALD youth in activities that build social and cultural connections.
Sunflower House Incorporated $880
The project is to enrol 5-7 Sunflower House Members in the 'New Moves' 8-week program to improve their health and well-being.
Ashmont Churches Caring for Children $3K
Breakfast Program provides a healthy hearty breakfast for approximately 100 disadvantaged children every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of school terms.
Riverina Nepalese Community $2K
Cultural programs to foster Nepalese culture in the multicultural community.
Jieng Language Learning Hub $3,592.70
The purchase of resources
Kachin Community of Wagga Wagga $1,477
Purchase of musical instruments that are not currently accessible to any of the Burmese cultural groups locally.
Wagga Wagga Tibetan Community $3,250
Host two events to raise awareness of continuing struggles for human rights across the world.
Mount Austin High School P&C $3,630
The Fresh Fruit initiative, designed to give all students access to fresh fruit in core subjects; English, Mathematics and Science.
Mangoplah Cookardinia United Eastlakes Football and Netball Club Inc $2K
To deliver a "Thought Talk Tackle" mental health and wellbeing event.
Alexander Macdonald $650
To purchase ambassador shirts for the Probuskers, who assist in the promotion of fun, exercise and fitness in Wagga Wagga in particularly amongst the older citizens.
Gordon Hall $1,480
To purchase more tables for U3A Wagga Wagga Mahjong courses.
First Health Ltd $1K
To purchase materials to build a secure chicken pen and larger house for the chickens.
LOCAL HERITAGE - TOTAL: $15.5K
Melissa Krause $4215.50
Repaint the full exterior an Environmental Heritage house including stand-alone garage.
Renee Asgill $3784.50
Restore the facade of property in a heritage area.
Jessica Dunn and Margaret Walsh $5K
To have old Heritage home from the 1800's that was split into two semidetached homes painted.
Leanne and Tim Crimmins $2.5K
Replace/repair rotten timbers as needed on the back wall. Paint upon completion.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT - TOTAL: $7K
ErinEarth $3K
Purchase a larger chipper.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Wagga Wagga Central Council $1.5K
Offer school student tours of St Vincent de Paul recycling sites.
OzFish Unlimited $1.5K
Plant native vegetation along Stringybark Creek.
Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga $1K
Reconnecting and invigorating community with Intergenerational knowledge sharing through the Rocky Hill Project.
NEIGHBOURHOOD AND RURAL VILLAGES - TOTAL: $22K
Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga Inc $4,819
To purchase culturally appropriate cooking equipment to be used by the different community groups living in Wagga Wagga.
Wagga and District Highland Pipe Band $2.5K
To begin a long-term replacement plan of outdated and aged equipment in particular, drums.
Mangoplah District Sports & Community Development Fund $2,236.40
Organising Connecting our Community - Mangoplah Movie Fish & Chip Nights for the community.
Tarcutta CWA Branch $1,977
To purchase a new refrigerator and a new free-standing electric stove.
Country Women’s Association of NSW Uranquinty Evening Branch $4,235
A stereo microscope to support STEM program in remote schools.
Wagga Wagga Tibetan Community $4,761.38
Losar - Tibetan New Year Celebrations.
Ladysmith Playgroup $1,471.22
Creative Connections will facilitate an artist in residence
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES - TOTAL: $30K
Wagga Wagga Water Polo $7.5K
Purchase a custom Aflex Inflatable Pontoon to divide the 50m outside pool.
Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club $660
Upgrade the upstream end roller door of the club, update furniture and equipment.
Wagga Wagga Softball Association $7.5K
Build a lockable enclosed batting facility for player batting training with motorised pitching machine.
Wagga Wagga Touch Association $4,170
Refurbishment to the kitchen and storeroom area and installation of shelving and storage in office area.
Wagga Wagga Art Society $2,025
Install a 25-litre hot water system and taps in wet areas.
Wagga Rugby League Inc $4,341
Purchase of two 83kg ice machines.
Collingullie Glenfield Park Junior Football Netball Club 2,353.75
Install two fixed netball player and official shelters for training and games.
1st Kooringal Scout Group $1,450.25
Install 2-3 split air conditioning system.
RURAL HALLS - TOTAL: $16,527.31
Mangain Community Centre Committee $10K
The installation of two air conditioning units, with the associated pipes, etc., inside and outside of the building.
Brucedale Hall Committee $2,362.20
The installation of three oscillating fans down each side of the hall (six fans in total).
Collingullie Soldiers Memorial Hall $4,165.11
New doors for the Collingullie Soldiers Memorial Hall.
SMALL BUSINESS - TOTAL: $32.5K
Agsensio Pty Ltd t/as Zetifi $7.5K
Purchase 3D printers will enable to scale up small batch manufacturing of the custom parts needed to build on farm connectivity products including the Zetifi Rover, a world first device for providing data connectivity to farm vehicles in rural and remote locations.
Bidgee Strawberries and Cream $5K
To improve customer experience and implement infrastructure to meet the needs of the business. Construction of a building which will incorporate an ablution block, sale space, a cafe, processing plant, packing shed and storage facility, a car park, landscaping - and a children's playground area
Adam Bannister Event Production $1K
Investment in digital audio mixing, microphone frequency management and NDI to HDMI cross conversion equipment.
Pattison & Co Physiotherapy $1,085
Purchase of Vesticam Googles. This project plans to bring improved access to vestibular assessment and rehabilitation techniques to residents of Wagga LGA.
The Wild Vine Vineyard $1,445
To purchase new stainless-steel tanks, that are used in wine making during the fermentation process.
Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. $4,860
To repurpose an area within the back the brewpub that will be transformed & expanded into a creative hub.
Belisi Wellbeing & Equestrian Centre $5,860
Upgrading the Belisi facility to make it more accessible to people with physical disabilities and/or the elderly community where possible.
Hogs Breath Café $2K
Coffee Shop and alfresco extension to existing business site.
Red Steer Hotel $3K
Purchase of a highly specialised imported piece of cooking equipment. The commercial smoker would offer a very unique and high-quality product to the local community.
YOUTH LED INITIATIVES - TOTAL: $15K
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Wagga Wagga Central Council $3K
Buddies Days for low income children led by Vinnies Young Adults. The day involves a fun outing and involves the Youth Conference members.
James Ingram – Bidyamarra $3K
"Where on Wiradjuri do, I live?" is an 8-week project with Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal youth ages 14 to 25 years living in Kooringal and Lake Albert.
Sheree Ridley/4th Dimension Art and Wellbeing $2,790
The project is a six-week program where mentors and youth will weekly to write a song and create a largescale art work as a team.
2020 Leadership Group – Katie Harper $3K
Break by the Lake – an all school event where students from high schools in Wagga are invited to perform and display the musical talents on stage.
Headspace Wagga Wagga (Lead Agency Relationships Australia Canberra and Region) $1,410
Adulting in 2020: The Hindsight Project Launch is an innovative and creative video series created by local young people.
Ignite Mentoring $1.8K
Youth Week 2021 Community Day is an opportunity for youth, families, community and youth services.