Upgrades of a baseball indoor training facility and a hot glass art workspace are among the clever and creative projects to share in $3.136 million from Council's 2022-23 Community Grants program.
A total of 44 community groups, clubs and organisations have been awarded grants, including 35 Community Infrastructure Grant applications totalling more than $2.615 million.
The Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club will receive $350,000 to install new sports lights at its second oval on the Western Heights Secondary College grounds and the Bellarine Catchment Network will use the same funding amount to update the Bellarine Environment Centre to be more accessible and comfortable. The Clifton Springs Bowling Club's $260,000 grant will fund a kitchen upgrade for members.
Other Community Infrastructure Grant recipients include the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club ($146,799) to upgrade lights to LED, Club Italia Geelong ($50,000) to replace its power board, and 1st Barwon Heads Scouts ($32,482) for a feasibility study into a new Barwon Heads Scout Hall.
Council has awarded two First Nations Cultural Heritage Grants, totalling $52,200 to recognise, restore, protect and preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage.
The Ocean Grove Primary School's 'Rekindling the Wadawurrung Spirit of Ocean Grove' is an intangible Cultural Heritage project to build Wadawurrung heritage of the Ocean Grove area and will receive $29,100 to establish. A total of $23,100 will go to the Friends of the Geelong Botanical Gardens to fund 'The Wadawurrung Connection,' another intangible Cultural Heritage project to place name the Indigenous gardens and signage at the Geelong Botanical Gardens.
An unspent budget of $47,800 from the First Nations Cultural Heritage Grant stream has been carried forward to increase the 2023-24 grant budget.
Seven restoration projects have collected a total of $100,575 in Geelong Heritage Grants.
They include $12,200 for heritage tour signage works at the Barwon Paper Mills, $22,600 to help repaint and repair the upper façade of a building on Gheringhap and Ryrie streets, $13,790 to replace some window frames at the Victorian Railways Institute Geelong Hall and $5,000 to restore the sign at The Barwon Club Hotel.
Applications for this funding round opened on 4 June 2022 and closed after eleven weeks on 22 August 2022.
A number of grants are open to applications, with various closing dates:
- Arts Professional Development Grants
- Arts Projects - Quick Response Grants
- Community Events Quick Response Grants
- Environmental Sustainability Grants (Round 2)
- Healthy & Connected Communities Grants (Round 2) and
- Neighbourhood House Grants (Round 2).
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The Community Grants recognise the immense contributions community groups, clubs and organisations make to Greater Geelong each year.
Grants are often the difference between whether a project gets off the ground or not, so Council is thrilled to be able to help.
We thank these groups for their hard work reconnecting with the community during the pandemic, helping disadvantaged community members, offering a safe space for friendship and fostering creativity, physical activity and compassion.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
The Community Grants demonstrate Council's commitment to sustainability through empowering community members and responsible financial management.
By expanding opportunities for our community, we are helping to foster and invest in a more resilient and inclusive Greater Geelong.
Council is proud to invest significant funds into Community Infrastructure, First Nations Cultural Heritage and Geelong Heritage through our annual budget, which the community will benefit greatly from for years to come.
