Greater Shepparton City Council has distributed more than $100,000 to 33 community groups and businesses through a range of grants programs designed to assist with a variety of goals, from inclusion to sustainability.
The funds were distributed through the Small Town Festive Decoration, Community Matching, Greater Shepparton Access and Inclusion, Creative City, New Business and Community Sustainability grants programs.
The successful applicants were noted during the council’s June meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Shane Sali said the list emphasised the breadth of organisations and people who mad up the Greater Shepparton region.
“I think it's a great way of council utilising ratepayer money to support community across a broad range of initiatives,” Cr Sali said.
“One of the key learnings I've had with being on council is that I thought I was in tune with what was going on in our community, but once getting on to council, you see so many special things going on, and that are community driven.”
The successful grant recipients were:
Small Town Festive Decorations Grant Program
Provides communities of less than 10,000 people up to $2000 to install festive decorations for the festive season.
Successful applicants
- Bunbartha Recreation Reserve: $1807
- Tatura Planning Committee: $1820
- Lions Club of Merrigum Incorporated: $2000
- Tallygaroopna Men’s Shed Inc: $1170
- Lions Club of Toolamba: $2000
- Mooroopna Mens Shed: $2000
Total: $10,797
Community Matching Grant Scheme
Supports the development and implementation of community activities and projects, such as revitalising places or building new social connections.
Successful applicants
- Nabi Akram Mosque: $5000
- Murchison Primary School: $1375
- The Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program Inc: $1200
- Goulburn Valley U3A: $3395
- Generations Church ACC Inc: $3500
- Murchison Community Planning Group: $4500
- Generations Op Shop: $2425.15
- St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria) Inc: $3670
- Kialla Golf Club: $3311.50
- Murchison Men's Shed Inc: $4600
- Shepparton Riding for the Disabled: $5000
Total: $37,976.65
Greater Shepparton Access and Inclusion Grant
Businesses, community groups and not-for-profit organisations are given assistance to improve access and inclusion for people with disabilities and their families.
Successful applicants
Goulburn Valley Woodworkers: $1000
Goulburn Valley Pride Inc: $1000
Toolamba Recreation Reserve and Community Centre Community Asset Committee: $1884
Horses For Hope Limited: $10,000
Total: $13,884
The Creative City Grants Program
In its first year and aims to better support the region’s creative sector.
Successful applicants
Dookie Arts Songwriter Workshops at Dookie Hub: $4600
Tatura Community House Inc Walkway Gallery: $5000
St George’s Road Primary School School Library and Music Mural: $5000
Bruce Archibald Shepparton Jazz Suite Performance: $4235
Total: $18,835
New Business Grant
Provides funding for infrastructure or initiatives supporting the establishment of new businesses in Greater Shepparton’s CBD.
Successful recipient
Escape Smash Play Shepparton: $8500
Community Sustainability Grants Program
Supports sustainability actions within the community in line with the council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and the Climate Emergency Action Plan.
Successful applicants
- Sacred Heart Primary School: $730
- Transition Tatura: $3000
- Horses for Hope: $2580
- Bunbartha Recreation Reserve: $2906
- Murchison Primary School: $2985
- Dookie Arts Group: $1000
- Kialla Hall Committee: $2684