Wagga Wagga City Council has supported 63 community led events and programs, projects, new ideas, and the local business community through its 2023/24 Annual Grants Program.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday night, Council endorsed allocating $252,361 in funding across 10 grant categories including various cultural, environmental, sporting and youth-led initiatives.
The Annual Grants Program this year attracted 119 applications in the following 10 categories:
Community Programs & Projects; Recreational & Community Facilities; Neighbourhood & Rural Villages; Rural Halls; Arts, Culture & Creative Industries; Local Heritage; Events; Environment; Youth Programs & Projects; and Small Business.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said the program is a popular initiative which is reflected in the high number of applications received; the majority of the funding categories were oversubscribed.
"The economic challenges being experienced across the country mean it's as important as ever for Council to continue to provide support across the entire community," Cr Tout said.
"Our funding priorities continued to focus on areas that have high levels of social and community disadvantage.
"The program enables us to support local non-profit community groups, individuals and small business with projects which directly benefit our community and enhance our wellbeing."
The successful applicants for 2023/24 covered a wide range of projects and initiatives, from electricity upgrades at the Mangoplah Hall to an Alphabet Soup Youth Group 'Wear It Purple Disco'.
"We are pleased to be able to provide this support to the 63 successful applicants, who will be delivering these diverse, inclusive and progressive programs and initiatives to the community," Cr Tout said.
"We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition over the next year."
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.
📷 Hero image: Oura Hall
2023/24 Annual Grants Program Recipients
EVENTS – $35,000
Bidgee Strawberries & Cream – $6000
'Berries and Tunes' - a series of events supporting emerging creatives and other local partnerships.
Lake Road Veterinary Hospital – $6000
'Wagga Dog Day Out' event to promote the city's commitment to animal welfare and raise community awareness as to services that are available locally.
Women in Business Wagga Wagga – $6000
To engage a high-profile speaker who is a leader in her field to share their experience and insights.
Pastorale – $6000
An outdoor dining event in Wagga Wagga, to coincide with the Gears & Beers weekend.
Regional Disability Advocacy Services – $5500
A dance party to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
Wagga Wagga Country Club Ltd – $5500
The Women's Pro Am, where golf professionals and amateurs play together. The goal for 2024 is to host 50 visiting professionals.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & PROJECTS – $30,000
The Bike Canteen – $6500
To open a community workshop where tools, parts and bike stands are offered for anybody to use, assisted by workshop volunteers.
The Salvation Army-Wagga Wagga – $6227.50
To provide safe accessible lockers for homeless and displaced persons to store their belongings and provide food, emergency relief, casework, and assessment.
Edel Quinn – St Vincent de Paul – $6227.50
To install lockers to allow rough sleepers to store their belongings.
Twin City Skate Club Inc – $3500
A range of free and low-cost school holiday roller skating activities to cater for the diverse needs of people within our communities.
Wagga Wagga Antique Society – $1950
To purchase audio visual and digital equipment.
Wagga Amateur Radio Club Inc – $1895
To purchase and install a new Yaesu repeater at one of its radio sites in Wagga Wagga.
Kurrajong – $1000
To purchase a defibrillator for use with Kurrajong's community initiative Hildasid Farm.
Riverina Nepalese Community – $1000
To promote traditional cultural values by purchasing traditional musical instruments and organising training programs for music and dance.
Carevan Wagga Wagga Inc – $1000
To supply containers for the 22,000 meals provided at no cost to recipients.
Kurrajong Therapy Plus – $700
To hold a smoking ceremony for staff, clients, families, and wider community to increase their cultural awareness.
RECREATIONAL & COMMUNITY FACILITIES – $30,000
Oura Progress Association – $10,000
To construct a staging ground between the existing tennis courts and the Hall to be used for a variety of purposes by different user groups in the Oura district.
Wagga Par 3 and Driving Range – $8100
To construct an undercover barbecue area, free for the community to use.
Wagga Wagga School of Arts – $8090
Purchase and install new auditorium seating.
Southern Inland Rugby Union – $2260
To supply and erect a weatherproof shelter for the gatekeepers at Conolly Park, Tolland.
North Wagga Australian Football and Netball Club Inc. – $1550
To upgrade the sound/entertainment system at the McPherson Oval clubrooms.
YOUTH PROGRAMS & PROJECTS – $13,384
Unique State Art Space – $5000
A series of workshops, 'Print > Press > Play' facilitated by printmaker and registered art therapist Elaine Camlin and Art Factory local artist Annelise Triulcio.
Out Social – $4209
'Rainbow Screening Night' will feature a movie with queer representation, to be hosted on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
Alphabet Soup Youth Group – $4175
'Wear It Purple Disco (WIP) 2023', celebrating young LGBTQIA+ identifying youth.
NEIGHBOURHOOD & RURAL VILLAGES – $22,000
Tarcutta Pony Club – $5500
Upgrade of old equipment, activating the space and making it a community hub.
Humula Progress Association Inc. – $5000
Live music event to bring people together from isolated communities in the Humula district.
Ladysmith P & C Association – $3250
To conduct a community yoga program at the Ladysmith Hall and community park which is accessible to the local and broader community.
Chin Community of Wagga Wagga – $2460
To stage an event to provide an opportunity to showcase Wagga Wagga as a welcoming settlement community to our new community members.
Mangoplah Cookardinia United Eastlakes Football and Netball Club Inc. – $2170
Construction of an undercover barbecue area for club members, local community events, and training sessions.
Eastern Riverina Arts – $2000
To bring locally produced live music to community halls in rural villages within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
Iranian Community of Wagga Wagga – $1620
To stage an event to mark World Human Rights Day.
RURAL HALLS – $25,000
Mangoplah District Sports & Community Development Fund Inc. – $10,000
To rewire the hall, upgrade all electricity boxes and lines.
Brucedale Hall – $8829.10
Upgrades to the kitchen area to increase overall use of the facility.
Collingullie Soldiers Memorial Hall – $3085.45
Painting of interior of the community hall.
Ladysmith Memorial Hall Inc – $3085.45
Painting of the internal walls.
ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES – $35,361
HTZ Investments Pty Ltd – $7500
Installation of a mural on the back of the new hotel on Forsyth Street, visible to the public from Tongaboo Lane.
Eastern Riverina Arts – $5676
To hold an exhibition 'Craft: The dirty word' at The AMBO Gallery in Johnston Street.
The Wired Lab – $5000
Delivery of a series workshops led by the Wiradjuri and Indigenous communities of the Eastern Riverina region.
Shelan Khodedah – $4107
For the publication and launch of a book documenting the experiences of a local Yazidi community member who was captured and held by Isis.
Wagga Wagga Community Band – $2750
To purchase new music stands and a trolley.
Wagga Wagga Bonsai Society Inc – $2573
Free public workshops and demonstrations facilitated by internationally trained Australian bonsai artists.
Riverina Conservatorium of Music – $2500
A weekend of workshops and masterclasses for musicians who play concert band instruments. The festival will finish with a free public concert.
Mary Potter Nursing Home – $2500
Installation of a mural on the walls of the internal courtyard garden. Residents and staff will be involved in the design of the mural.
Joel Markham – $2000
Preparation for a photography exhibition in November 2023.
Riverina Woodworkers Club Inc – $755
To purchase a new dust extraction system to cater for the increased levels of activity in the club.
ENVIRONMENT – $6500
Wagga Wagga Business Chamber – $3500
To stage the 'Building a Better Future - Our Path to Net Zero' event, with a key focus on small to medium business owners achieving lower Net Zero Emissions.
Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare Group – $3000
Initiatives to protect Flowerdale Lagoon, including an educational campaign and community workshops in the lagoon catchment area.
LOCAL HERITAGE – $15,500
Anglican Parish of Wagga Wagga – $4500
Construction and installation of louvres to protect the belfry and the contents of the bell tower of St John's church.
Madeline Clark – $3500
Rectify risk of collapse by means of stone masonry to fix crack in a NSW Heritage listed building, built with sand stock stone in 1849.
Michael Linsell – $2500
Reinstatement of original heritage fencing to residence at the corner of Best and Tompson streets.
Mackenna Powell – $2500
Remediation works to roof of the former School of Arts building in Fitzmaurice Street.
Mitchell Daniher – $2500
Restoration works on one of Wagga Wagga's original corner stores, The Park Store 1925, on the corner of Forsyth and Fox streets.
SMALL BUSINESS – $37,500
Bidgee Strawberries and Cream – $6000
To purchase a strawberry cutting machine.
Little Black Duck Homewares – $5045
To purchase a market stall fitout that is easily transportable, to increase visibility of Aboriginal handmade products at local and regional market stalls.
Paint Place Wagga – $4500
To purchase equipment to allow the expansion of stock holding capabilities and improve the overall customer experience in store.
Bloss Floristry & Design – $4487
Retrofitting of a vacant space at The Press Café to accommodate a floristry business.
Rewild – $4216
Purchase of new equipment to increase efficiency and sustainability.
Zana Aerial Dance Academy – $3958
Purchase of new custom-made costumes to increase professionalism and expand business.
Pastorale – $3291
Purchase and install a custom built and commercial grade wood-fired pizza oven.
Sew me School of Fashion and Design – $2069
To install front access doors to improve accessibility and street appeal.
Interior Construction Pty Ltd – $1934
Purchase technology to advance the business and increase customer service experience.
Chris and Louise Blanchard – $1000
Addition of a second-hand book offering, hot-desk facility and board room hire service.
Riverina Seafood Market – $1000
To establish the first fresh seafood market in the region.
