ELEVEN local groups have received grants from the Kerang Sports and Entertainment Venue as part of the venue’s commitment to support the community.
Representatives of the groups gathered on Monday to accept the grants from venue manager, Mathew Chamberlain and Kerang Bowling Club board chairman, Lui Basile.
The bowling club purchased the former Commercial Hotel in the mid-2000s to create the Kerang Sports and Entertainment Venue with the intention of boosting the club’s viability to ultimately be in the position to put back into the community.
The venue delivered on that commitment with its inaugural grants program last year, and this year increased the total funding pool from $5000 to $7500.
“Part of our charter is to make funds available to community groups once we make a profit; now we’re in the position to do that and we’re very pleased to increase the grants pool,” Mr Basile said.
“It’s really a small amount of money that will hopefully be the seed for bigger things.
“All 11 applicants have received funding this year, but as the word spreads we might have to look at a set of criteria.”
The new Kerang women’s football side was one grant recipient, with captain Justine Farley saying the money would be used for equipment and uniforms to ensure there were no financial barriers for prospective players.
“We’re only in our first year and we have a lot of potential so this money will give us an opportunity to do the best we can,” she said.
The Kerang Historical Society will put its grant toward a defibrillator to be installed at the Kerang Museum.
“We have a lot of older members that spend a lot of time at the museum so a defibrillator will be very important; we won’t save everyone but if we save one life it’s money well spent,” society member Sandra Westblade said.
The Kerang and District Community Centre will use its grant to purchase a pie warmer to help cater for events, while the Northern District Dance Club will spend its grant on upkeep of the Band Hall.
The Lake Meran Public Purposes Committee received a grant to install bollards around its barbecue shelter, following a recent incident in which a caravan clipped the roof and caused significant damage.
The Golden Rivers Artists group will purchase a gazebo and signage with its grant, while the Bus Stop Recycle Shop will also purchase a gazebo to provide shade for the pot planting area.
The Fairley Town Cricket Club will use its grant to purchase training equipment to encourage junior involvement, while the Kerang Clay Target Club also received funding to go toward running costs.
Kerang Technical High School received funding to help run its hugely successful breakfast program, which provides a wholesome morning meal to approximately one third of students.
Finally, the grant for the Kerang Progress Association will go toward its burgeoning New Year’s Eve Party in the Park, which is a free event.
