Wagga Wagga City Council has supported 63 community-led projects through its 2024/25 Annual Grants Program.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday night, Council endorsed allocating $268,059 in funding across 10 grant categories including various environmental, creative, cultural and community projects and initiatives.
The Annual Grants Program this year attracted 93 applications, with the total amount of funding requested by the community reaching $521,372.60.
The 10 categories are: Community Programs & Projects; Recreational & Community Facilities; Neighbourhood & Rural Villages; Rural Halls; Arts, Culture & Creative Industries; Local Heritage; Events; Environment; Youth Programs and Projects; and Small Business.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said the continuing popularity of the program can be seen in the number of applications received.
"Our Annual Grants program plays an important role in providing vital support across the community" Cr Tout said.
"The program enables Council to support local non-profit community groups, individuals and small business with project funding which directly benefit our community."
The successful applicants for 2024/25 covered a wide range of projects and initiatives, from a plumbing upgrade for the Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall to supporting the Afghanistan Women's Football team to visit Wagga Wagga for a weekend of events.
"We are pleased to be able to provide this support to the 63 successful applicants, who will be delivering these diverse and inclusive programs and initiatives to the community," Cr Tout said.
"We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition over the next 12 months."
Applications were assessed by 10 category panels comprising of a Councillor, an independent community representative, and staff.
The Annual Grants Program is part of Council's commitment to developing a vibrant and diverse community in line with the goals of the Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040.
2024/25 Annual Grants Program Recipients
ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES - $32,500
The Art Factory - $3700
'Art Speak' - workshops to provide artists with the tools to develop and deliver their own exhibitions.
Wagga and District Highland Pipe Band - $2500
Purchase of new Shepherd bagpipe chanters and reeds.
Bidgee Blues Club - $5127
Support for professional musicians to provide development and performance workshops.
Emily Shannon (Auspice: Eastern Riverina Arts) - $3200'Cultivate': Workshops in Tarcutta and Uranquinty that promote sustainable artistic practices and raise awareness about critically endangered woodland.
Judith Lewis (Auspice: Eastern Riverina Arts) - $7500A mural on the laneway fence at Galing Place.
Eastern Riverina Arts - $3600A nine-month schedule of residencies for six artists to develop projects related to their art practice.
Voices of Women - $3000
Workshops where local women's stories will be shared and curated into a performance.
Freeroam Theatre - $3873Opportunities and skills development for young creatives through workshops and mentorships.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & PROJECTS - $30,000
Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Wagga Wagga - $7500
Repairs to upgrade to increase community-wide use of the hall.
Bloss - Riverina Pregnancy & Baby Loss Support - $3500
Workshop programs to support parents coping with the profound loss of a baby.
Intereach - $7280
An inclusive multimedia trivia event designed to celebrate people of all abilities.
Wagga Wagga Toastmasters Club - $2450
A six-week 'Toastmasters Speechcraft' program for community members living in Wagga Wagga with English as a second language.
Filipino Community of Wagga Wagga (Auspice: Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga) - $3992
The purchase of traditional folk-dance costumes to be used at a range of culturally significant events.
Bangladeshi Community in Wagga Wagga, Riverina (BCWR) (Auspice: Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga) - $1683
The purchase of audio/visual equipment and catering/hospitality items.
Wagga Aus-Sri Lankan Cultural Association - $3595
The Wagga Aus-Sri Lankan Cultural Association's annual cultural show 2024.
ENVIRONMENT - $12,572
Mikayla Green and Lucy Wright (Auspice: Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists) - $3856
Estella Community Squirrel Glider Initiative: Events to engage the public and increase awareness of this threatened species.
ErinEarth Wagga Wagga - $2172
Sustainability Trails project to enhance the environmental education potential of the site.
Demonstration Gardens Wagga Wagga - $1307.37
Upgrade the existing facilities and chicken run.
C.R.O.W. (Climate Rescue of Wagga) - $2529.72
Electrify Wagga Wagga project will educate on how to cost-effectively reduce the Wagga community's carbon footprint.
San Isidore Tennis Club - $2706.91
Upgrade of irrigation infrastructure to enable effective watering for establishment and ongoing growth of a diversity of native plants.
EVENTS - $37,534
MG Car Club of Wagga Wagga - $1000
100th year of the MG marque and the 26th year of The Gathering of the Faithful event.
Wagga Wagga and District Football Trust - $7500
The Afghanistan Women's Football Team and Melbourne Victory Football Club in Wagga Wagga for a weekend of events.
Wagga Wagga Autumn Friendship Ball Committee (Auspice: The Grange Lifestyle Village Winery Wagga Wagga) - $1000
Support toward the Autumn Friendship Ball event bringing older members of the community together.
Apex Club of South Wagga Wagga - $5000
The Mighty Murrumbidgee Duck Race on Australia Day 2025 at the Wagga Beach precinct.
Riverina Readers Festival - $7500
A one-day book festival to be held in Wagga Wagga in July 2025.
Fishing for Kyan - $1934
The annual Fishing for Kyan Community Fishing Day.
Active Farmers - $3000
The Mangoplah 'Run4Resilience' event, offering several routes to run and walk for all fitness levels.
Women in Business Wagga Wagga - $7500
Annual key speaker event as part of initiatives to inspire, educate, and empower women in the community.
Water Polo ACT Association - $3100
Junior Club Championships event in March 2025 in Wagga Wagga.
LOCAL HERITAGE - $15,500
Mackenna Powell - $3750
Restoration works on the upstairs front windows of the former School of Arts building in Fitzmaurice Street.
Samuel Heffernan - $3368
Restoration works on the roof structure of a heritage building in Beauty Point Avenue.
Celia Thornton - $1000
Restoration works on the eaves, timber shutters, and timber windows of a residence on Morgan Street.
Trevor and Tandarra Holden - $2585
Restoration works on the heritage brick fence of on the corner of Kincaid and Trail Streets.
Kerri and Rodney Reberger - $1398.50
Restoration works on the leadlight windows of a building in Fitzmaurice Street.
Wollundry Club - $1398.50
Restoration works on the guttering and downpipes of a building on Gurwood Street.
Joanne Leary and Innes Clarke - $2000
Restoration works to replace the awnings of a residence on Jackson Street.
NEIGHBOURHOOD & RURAL VILLAGES - $22,000
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW - $4480
The purchase of bilingual educational materials, toys, and resources for the Multicultural playgroup.
Ladysmith Tourist Railway - $3000
Training for volunteer traffic controllers for the Tumbarumba Road rail crossing.
Wagga Wagga Bridge Club - $2000
Purchase and installation of a defibrillator.
Uranquinty Progress Association - $4520
The design and installation of road signage to direct Uranquinty visitors to the Water Tower art installation.
Ladysmith P and C Association - $4000
Tai Chi and Qigong classes for Ladysmith and surrounding communities.
Tarcutta Pony Club - $4000
Installation of concrete flooring and a lockable door/gate to the Pony Club shed to increase access and security.
RECREATIONAL & COMMUNITY FACILITIES - $30,000
Wagga Wagga Sailing Club - $5900
Electricity connection to the Club's sailing shed.
Eastern Riverina Arts - $7500
Purchase and installation of reverse cycle air conditioning.
Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad - $6130
Purchase a Holmatro Mini Cutter, a state-of-the-art rescue tool.
Wagga Wagga Small Bore and Air Rifle Club - $5000
Construction of a Colorbond shed.
Kooringal Colts Cricket Club - $5470
Purchase and installation of synthetic turf.
RURAL HALLS - $25,000
Tarcutta Memorial Hall - $9995
Upgrade a section of plumbing to improve safety.
Galore Hall & Recreation Committee (Auspice: Wagga Wagga City Council) - $10,000
Installation of a concrete ramp to upgrade the access to the Galore Hall main entrance.
Ladysmith Memorial Hall - $5005
Restoration works to paint the ceiling of Ladysmith Memorial Hall.
SMALL BUSINESS - $35,487
Sew Me School of Fashion and Design - $3162.50
Construction of a secure and weather-tight storage space.
Paint Place Wagga - $2949.36
Purchase of blinds for the front glass windows of the store and a tinting machine.
EOM Bikes - $1082.50
Purchase of a device required to lift equipment to-and-from delivery vehicles.
College of Nursing Education & Training Australia Pty Ltd - $5000
Resources for a new course to upskill local care workers.
Cooper Law Group - $1999
Purchase of a new computer operating system to support remote clients.
The Little Yellow House Gallery & Studio - $1143.64
Purchase of a printer to expand the facilities available.
Wagga Par 3 and Driving Range - $2700
Installation of seating to provide a resting point for players.
Roseleigh Manor - $7500
Installation of a viewing window to showcase the Killer Pies pie-line as a tourist attraction.
Ladysmith Park Perennials - $5350
Installation of an irrigation system for the propagation area at Ladysmith Park.
Little Black Duck Aboriginal Homewares - $4600
Support to attend trade and gift fairs in Sydney and Melbourne throughout 2024 and 2025.
YOUTH PROGRAMS & PROJECTS - $12,661
Eastern Riverina Arts - $4843
Supporting regional young musical acts and creatives to produce a night of locally created music at The Station Creative Hub in late Spring 2024.
Tarcutta Pony Club - $4000
An affordable and accessible camp for riders aged 6-25yrs.
Freeroam Theatre - $3818
'Impro Jams' - a weekly program of improvisation and acting youth workshops and performances.
