Council
5 December, 2024
Council approves latest funding flow
FIFTEEN applications under the Corangamite Shire Ready Now Grants Program got the tick of approval.
The applications received funding between June and October this year, according to shire manager economy and prosperity Katy McMahon.
“The new Ready Now Grants Program supports the community with small quick grants to volunteer based community groups for proposals that are not readily able to be considered under the community, enabling, events and festivals, facilities or environmental grants programs,” she said.
“The program is designed to be flexible and responsive to community needs.
“Applications for Ready Now Grants are assessed as they are received with approval of grant applications delegated to the chief executive officer enabling quick turnaround of applications as the process isn’t required to meet monthly reporting timelines.
“The program provides small allocations of funds of up to $500 for beneficial projects and activities supporting community inclusion and participation and providing equipment, facilities and public spaces that are appropriate for community use.”
Three applications were approved in June in the previous financial year which were:
South Western District Restoration Group, $500 to replace club entrance signage;
Cobden and District Historical Society, $40 for the purchase of two roadside promotional signs; and
Progressing Cobden Inc, $374 for the purchase of a 4G compatible mobile phone for the Cobden Visitor Information Centre.
Since the start of the 2024/25 financial year successful applicants were:
Camperdown Courthouse Inc, $500 for the purchase of a printer;
Simpson Men’s Shed, $500 for purchase of equipment;
Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum Trust Inc, $500 for purchase of tools for volunteers to maintain the space;
Simpson and District Community Centre, $500 for the purchase of a weatherproof cupboard and ring spotlight with solar panel;
Rotary Club of Cobden Inc, $500 to conduct a ‘Magic of Rotary’ event;
Camperdown Girl Guides Inc, $474 for the purchase of six moulded tables;
Camperdown Little Athletics Inc, $500 for the purchase of a lockable storage cupboard to store new club shirts;
Timboon Field and Game Inc, $476.65 for the purchase of tools to service sporting equipment and slow cookers/steamers;
Camperdown Swimming Pool Committee of Management, $500 for additional seating for patrons. The seating will also be used as a memoriam piece for a regular patron;
Lismore Men’s Shed, $500 for the purchase of a belt/disc sander and stand for the wood work shop to be used to help the men’s shed with the production of wooden Christmas years.
Noorat Christmas Tree Committee, $500 for the purchase of Christmas decorations for a town tree;
Terang Athletics Club Inc, $500 towards the prize money of the Terang Gift; and
1st Cobden Scouts, $210 for purchase of lollies for the Halloween Trail.
In the new financial year, grants totalling $6661 were awarded out of the $25,000 budget for the grant program.
Councillor Nick Cole said he was a “big supporter” of the grant program.
“A little bit of money can make a big difference in a small group,” he said.
Cr Geraldine Conheady agreed and said while the “size of the grant is not huge it makes a huge difference in the community,” she said.
“Even though the ceiling of the grants, if you like, is $500, while it’s not a lot of money, what I love about this is that when you look at the organisations and the community groups that have made the application they are really the heart and soul of the community,” she said.
“It’s just so lovely to be able to provide some support to them that enables them to continue to do the work they do.”
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