A range of community groups has received help to improve services and facilities for public benefit, thanks to Wodonga Council's Community Impact Grants and Community Infrastructure Grants programs.
The Community Impact Grant recipients in the February round are:
- The Friends of Willow Park: Passionate about sharing knowledge and skills on environmental matters, the group will establish a calendar of events in which expert speakers will help our community become more involved in protecting our flora and fauna,
- Albury Wodonga Creatives are developing a stage adaptation of children's picture book, The Happy Mask, by local author Aimee Chan. The project is expected to produce an original complete script and score that can be enjoyed by local families,
- The Albury Wodonga Historical Society will produce and distribute two YouTube documentaries that explore the arrival of the North East Railway in 1873 and how its extension across the river in 1883 transformed Wodonga; and,
- The Murray Conservatorium's Music for Wellbeing project will provide free musical education to all members of the Wodonga Community, encouraging participation and skill development and the use of music in self-care.
Presenting the grants, Wodonga Mayor Kev Poulton said the council was delighted to support groups that are delivering benefits to the wider community.
"Small projects can provide big results and it's great to see these groups working for their community on projects as diverse as conservation, the arts, and our local history - so congratulations and thank you to the recipients," he said.
The Community Infrastructure Grant recipients are:
- The Friends of Ewart Brothers Reserve for installing a drinking water fountain to support the growth of the reserve as a meeting place for walkers and other users,
- St John Ambulance, Wodonga division for minor renovations at their divisional hall to make it safer and more efficient for volunteers to train in life-saving skills,
- The Wodonga Tennis Centre to install a solar power system that will help the environment and reduce expenses, allowing the club to improve its facilities for community use,
- Wodonga Raiders Sports Club to improve its security systems, in the wake of a series of property damage incidents,
- GIGS Gallery and Studio for the installation of updated signage so the gallery can be marketed more effectively and increase visitation to the area; and,
- The Bonegilla Hall Committee to develop storage for safer and easier access to essential items - a need made clear during bushfires when community members stored food and other necessities in the hall.
The next round of grants will open in July, 2022.
Applications are open to local not-for-profit organisations that have their own bank accounts and ABNs, and are incorporated or have an auspicing organization.
Eligible groups can apply via our Smarty Grants portal.
