Eight Golden Plains community groups have received funding to help deliver projects to help strengthen their local areas.
Golden Plains Shire Council announced the first round of winners of the Community Strengthening Grants during its meeting on May 23.
Mayor Brett Cunningham said he congratulated the eight successful community groups that would receive a combined $30,241.
“Council is once again delighted to have awarded grants to support eight new community projects,” he said.
“Council’s Community Strengthening Grants has been supporting local events, projects and programs in Golden Plains for 26 years.”
Grant recipients were selected from the environment and sustainability, healthy active living, community safety and creative community categories.
Saint Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School received $7000 for its indigenous community connections project.
Council awarded Inverleigh’s Returned and Services League $6600 for internal and external painting and Woady Yaloak Historical Society $5000 for a historical-themed mural.
Geelong Landcare Group’s wildlife hollows and nesting box workshops and Haddon Community Learning Centre’s kitchen fridge and freezer replacement project received more than $3000.
Moorabool Valley Masters Football Club got $2126 for goal post padding.
The Smythesdale Cemetery Trust’s gorse removal project and the Cape Clear Recreation Reserves solstice bonfire also received council funding of more than $1100.
Mayor Cunningham said the grants were a great way to support new opportunities for Golden Plains community members to connect, learn and get active.
“These projects directly benefit our Shire communities and I look forward to seeing the completed projects, that will be enjoyed for many years to come,” he said.
“I encourage community groups to start thinking about applying for the second round, which will open in September this year.”