HOPKINS Correctional Centre donated funds worth $13,000 to seven Ararat groups recently.
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The facility’s general manager Scott Jacques presented the cheques to representatives from each group on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Jacques talked about the role of the prison in the community and why staff were keen to keep any funds raised local.
“Hopkins staff generated a sum of money over a period of time and wanted to do something meaningful with it. The idea of giving to a range of charities came from the staff – the hard part was to decide who and how much,” he said.
A sense of community is strong for employees of Hopkins, he said, due to the nature of working at the facility.
“We are a proud group of people that believe in what we do and see the impacts of poor choices and what a difference some people can make,” he said.
“Our community in Ararat is also a proud group of people that believe in their community and give their own time to support our environment and what Ararat stands for.”
The chosen groups were:
- Pinnacle Embroidability, $1000,
- Ararat Dog Rescue, $1000,
- Ararat Basketball Association, $1000,
- Ararat Dirt Riders MBC, $1000,
- Ararat Skate Park, $1000
- Green Hill Lake Development Board, $3000
- East Grampians Health Service, $5000
East Grampians Health Service chief executive Andrew Freeman said the donation will go towards equipment.
“It’s an awfully generous donation from Scott today,” he said.
“We will put this towards something the community will benefit from – a piece of capital equipment.”
Pinnacle Embroidability, which provides programs and supported employment for people with disabilities, will also put the funds towards equipment, said staff member Sue Prior.
“It’s really appreciated and we’ll put it to good use,” she said.
“We’ll put it towards some equipment, (like a) a heat press.”