Local groups benefit from council community grants

Warwick Swimming Club, which last weekend hosted Olympic Gold Medallist Duncan Armstrong, is just one of 34 community groups from Killarney to Wallangarra which have benefitted from Southern Downs Regional Council’s (SDRC’s) Grants to Community Organisations – General Grants Program – 2010/2011 Funding – Round 1.

The round, which opened on October 18 and closed on November 12, was well received by the community, with 41 community organisations submitting applications under one or more general grant categories.

Thirty-four of those groups were awarded General Grants in Round 1.

Southern Downs Regional Mayor Ron Bellingham said he was pleased to support community groups which do essential work to make the Southern Downs a great place to live.

“These groups, mostly run by volunteers, are the lifeblood of our community, so it’s with great pleasure that the council is able to assist them with some funding,” Cr Bellingham said.

“Obviously the council has only a limited amount of funding, so our new system of calling for applications region-wide twice a year is designed to achieve the most equitable distribution of funds.”

As some of the general grant categories have conditions of approval, it is important that community organisations ensure they comply with the conditions and submit any required documentation as soon as possible to ensure payment of their approved grant within the current financial year.

Applications are now open for Grants to Community Organisations – General Grants – Round 2, closing next week on February 25.

The application form, information sheet and policy are available from the council’s website www.southerndowns.qld.gov.au. Go to ‘Your Council’ and click on ‘Grants and Funding’.

General grants cover the four categories, including fee relief for certain statutory council fees (up to $1000), fee relief for council garbage disposal fees for garbage produced at an event conducted by a community group (up to $500), monetary donation – sponsorship (up to $150) and monetary donation – capital project (up to $500).

Other types of council funding, such as annual grants, rate relief and plant and equipment hire in-kind, are also available for community groups.  For details check out the council’s Grants to Community Organisations policy or contact the council on (07) 4661 0300.

Successful applicants from Round 1

The following 34 community organisations were successful in their applications for a general grant under Round 1 of 2010/2011:

Christian Victory Ministries Inc

Deuchar Massie Hall Association

Granite Belt Support Services Inc

Granite Belt Wildlife Carers Inc

GraniteNet Inc

Junabee Memorial Hall Committee

Killarney & District Senior Citizens Inc

Killarney Show & Rodeo Society

Lions Club of Stanthorpe

Maryvale Art & Craft Group

Ngurrugu Yinarr Indigenous Group

QCWA Glen Aplin Branch

QCWA Stanthorpe Branch

Queensland Recreational Aircraft Association Inc

Rotary Club of Allora

Rotary Club of Stanthorpe

Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Warwick

Stanthorpe Pottery Club Inc

Stanthorpe Scout Group

Stanthorpe Toastmasters

The Summit Hall Association Inc

Travelling Country Music Association Inc

Wallangarra Jennings Progress & Arts Association Inc

Warwick AFC Inc (Redbacks)

Warwick Boxing Club Inc

Warwick & District Archers Association Inc

Warwick & District Disability Support Group Inc

Warwick & District Tennis Assocn

Warwick Endeavour Support Group

Warwick Pistol Club Inc

Warwick Swimming Club Inc

Wesleyan Kids Club

Yangan Tennis Club

Zonta Club of Stanthorpe