SPORTING clubs in the Gannawarra Shire have had a tough year, but a number of them are expected to make improvements, with the assistance of Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2020 Community Grants program.
Clubs intend to spend the grants in a variety of ways, including buying maintenance equipment, sporting goods, carpet and furniture, and on the design of facilities.
Community support grants recipients are:
Cohuna Golf Club: With COVID-19 restrictions easing, the assistance of a $4650 grant for carpet replacement in the Cohuna Golf Club clubhouse will undoubtedly be appreciated by members.
Cohuna Kangas Football Netball Club: $4920 funding has been allocated to designs for a multi-purpose complex at Cohuna Recreation Reserve.
Kerang Amateur Swimming and Lifesaving Club: A grant of $1000 will go to the development of the Kerang Swim Club website.
Koondrook Swimming Pool: The pool surrounds will be kept tidy with $5000 going toward a new ride-on mower.
Lalbert Golf Club: A more efficient and comfortable tractor will appeal to new volunteer operators who will be responsible for slashing grass at Lalbert Golf Club and at the town’s footy ground and recreation reserve, with the upgrade to be funded by a $5000 community grant combined with $3000 from the golf club.
The current tractor is apparently on its last legs.
“It’s blowing black smoke and struggling to work,” Lalbert Golf Club secretary Dean Alexander said.
A couple of men currently working as volunteer tractor and mower drivers are planning to step away from the role in a year, with a trio of ladies expressing interest in taking on the tasks of slashing and mowing.
“So it’s been requested (to get) a tractor with a cabin that is a bit more climate and comfort friendly,” Mr Alexander said. The details of the tractor to be bought are not decided, with the golf club committee yet to meet since hearing it had secured council funding.
Mallee Eagles Football Netball Club: The Eagles have been allocated $4990 for equipment for their Training Future Sports Stars program.
Murrabit Recreation Reserve Committee of Management: The lives of club volunteers will be made easier with $5000 funding to help buy more practical furniture for functions at the club.
“The money’s going towards some new tables for the community complex within the recreation reserve and also a storage system for those tables,” committee of management secretary Stephen O’Donoghue said.
“At the moment, they’ve got quite cumbersome tables to move and they don’t store very well, so it’s a lot of effort on the volunteers for set-up and pack-up.”
New trolleys will enable the replacement tables to be quickly and safely packed and moved to a corner of the building, leaving floor space free for activities.
The community complex holds a range of functions, mostly for the Murrabit football and netball clubs, but including weddings and 21st birthdays.
The grant will cover most of the cost of the new furniture and storage system, with Murrabit Football Club making a small contribution.
Mr O’Donoghue outlined the significance of the assistance, particularly in such a challenging year.
“This grant is a real bonus to help the community improve things because we generate a lot of money from the (Murrabit) market and the market hasn’t been operational since February,” he said.
Nondescripts Cricket Club: The club has been granted $5000 toward the design cost of a multi-purpose facility intended for Cohuna Recreation Reserve’s No.2 oval.
Quambatook Football Netball Club: The installation of safety fencing around the children’s play area has been made possible with a $5000 grant.
