General News
22 July, 2024
Murra Warra windfall for community groups
More than $110,000 in community grants will boost and strengthen Wimmera not-for-profit groups through the 2024 Murra Warra Wind Farm Sustainable Community Grants Fund program.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Development administered the grants, presented at a function at Horsham Golf Club on Wednesday.
They included money for an artificial climbing wall, solar lighting, riverside picnic area sprinkler systems, solar panels and landscaping.
Recipients were unanimous in their praise for the grants and the boost it would give to their members.
Richard Wilken, Horsham Motor Sports Club president and Warracknabeal businessman, said a previous grant had helped the club add lawn to its facilities.
"Everything changed after that, and now we have people come from every state to our events," he said.
"We're estatic about receiving another grant. We have to present the best facilities. And Horsham Motor Sports Club needs assistance."
Other recipients also said that no matter how small the grant, the difference to their organisation would be significant.
Horsham Bowling Club president Colin Morrell said solar panels on their roof would make a huge difference financially to the club.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Development CEO Chris Sounness said it was important to have viable small community groups to which people were attracted.
"The area could have $20 billion in new industries in the next 10 years and that means an influx of people," he said.
"Planning for the challenges involved in that is better than dealing with the problem of dwindling populations in our small communities."
Wimmera River Improvement Committee plans to use its grant towards creating visitor-friendly areas to encourage more people to use the river precinct by adding sprinkler systems at picnic areas.
The committee of about a dozen volunteers is also undertaking a tree-planting program in areas between Walmer Crossing and Riverside. The committee also maintains Horsham Police Paddock on Rasmussen Road and areas near Burnt Creek.
Taylors Lake Football and Netball Club will place solar lighting in the storage facility and provide weather-protected seating at the netball court.
Club president Stuart Hall said they were thrilled to receive support.
"It will enable us to make important safety improvements around our netball courts for our players, coaches, officials and spectators," he said.
"Volunteers from our club work very hard to fundraise to keep our club operating, so we really value and appreciate receiving grants such as this one."
The 14 environmentally-sustainable projects to receive funding are in the municipalities of Horsham, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack.
The recipients are: Horsham Motor Sports Club, $20,000, toilets; Minyip Recreation Reserve, $20,000, oval irrigation; Horsham City Bowling Club, $12,305, solar panels; Centre for Participation, $8650, trailer freezer; Natimuk Climbing Club, $7000, climbing wall extension; Dimboola Croquet Club, $5000, watering system; Dimboola Golf Club, $5000, heating/cooling system; Wimmera River Improvement Committee, $5000, greening the Wimmera River picnic areas; Taylors Lake Football and Netball Club, $5000 for solar lighting and weather protection covers; Warracknabeal Golf Bowls Club, $4966, landscaping and garden upgrade; Dimboola RSL, Rainbow and District Landcare, $2970, rabbit eradication; $2206, window blinds; Warracknabeal Playground, $2442, EnviroEdu Program and Laharum Public Hall, $600 for trestle tables.