The Mayor of Kingborough, Cr Steve Wass, has presented grants to 14 local community groups with nearly $32,000 in grant funding at a special function on Thursday evening.
“Council’s grant program is a valuable resource for local community groups and volunteer organisations to receive assistance to continue the range of quality and innovative activities for the residents of Kingborough,” said Cr Wass.
A grant of $4,000 was presented to Bruny Island Arts for their EDGE2 program. This is an education and development project for the Bruny Island based MONA FOMA event. The program will enable local artists, musicians and scientists to work with the community and visitors both online and in workshops, as well as create a permanent and ongoing resource for Bruny Island District School.
The Marine Safety Education Program will be promoting sea safety in the Kingborough community with their grant of $3,350. They will be organising a public information session and will provide a pre-vocational course for young people in preparation for potential employment in the aquaculture industry.
The RSL Kingborough Sub Branch intends to produce and publish a history book of their 80 Years of Service and $500 will allow the Channel Heritage Centre to create a public display and education materials relating to the 1967 bushfires. The Taroona Hall Management Committee will be upgrading the kitchen facilities to benefit community events and meetings with their grant.
Initiatives for local food and produce were successful, with the Kingston Community Garden & Shed receiving assistance to refurbish their fruit and garden enclosures and $2,000 going to Channel Living for their More Local Food for More Local People Project. This project aims to encourage, recruit and educate local growers by hosting “master classes” for potential local food producers.
Assisting presentations, events and theatre groups was also a focus with funding being allocated to the Kingston Beach Regatta Association to purchase staging for use by groups at Kingston Beach and a portable community public address system for the Rotary Club of Kingston. The theatrical group, Square Peg Theatre received $1445 to create costumes, props and build theatre staging for Not Dead Yet!
Sporting organisations also benefitted with Bruny Island Little Athletics using grant funds to build a long jump pit, the Summerleas Eagles Cricket club will replace the pitch at Lightwood Park Oval, Riding for the Disabled will be building Horse Shelter Sheds and Show Jumping Tasmania will be purchasing a trailer.
Cr Wass said the program strengthens the abilities of the community to effectively identify what is needed and gives groups the opportunities to develop and create their own local solutions.
Kingborough Media and Communications Officer, Sarah Wilcox-Standring
