ARARAT Rural City Council has released it’s November 2018 Community Grants Program recipients.
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This was the final of the three rounds for the year, with $30,000 budgeted per round.
Council stated that it received applications with a total ask of $48,832, with six for infrastructure projects and six for community projects.
Of the 12 applications, four received the full amount they applied for.
Those groups were Ararat Emergency Relief Inc ($1000), Chalambar Men’s and Ladies Golf Club ($1000), Friends of Lake Buninjon ($1000) and Willaura Memorial Hall ($930).
During council’s December ordinary meeting Ararat mayor, Councillor Peter Beales, questioned the validity of granting funds to Chalambar Men’s and Ladies Golf Club.
“It’s an organisation that has poker machines and makes a lot of money. I find it difficult to be giving them $1000,” he said.
Councillor Faye Hull provided a rebuttal.
“I actually audit the books for the Ladies Bowling Club and they don’t receive any money from the poker machines,” she said.
Unsuccessful applicants included Yang Blue Light, Lake Bolac Memorial Hall, Ararat Pony Club, Ararat Harness Racing Club and East Grampians Health Service.
The health service applied for a grant worth $5720 to replace six ageing treatment chairs in the dialysis unit, a project the service has been fundraising for.
The total cost of the project listed on the application was $11,440.
Council chief executive Dr Tim Harrison explained the rationale behind the decision.
“We look at what other funding options are there (for an applicant),” he said.
“We tend to support projects where alternative funding is not really available.”
The largest grant given was worth $15,118 and went to Ararat Basketball Association.
The funds will go towards replacing the basketball backboards and rings on Court 1 at the Ararat Fitness Centre facility and the total cost of the project listed on the application was $37,796.
Other projects which received a grant included installing window blinds at Willaura Memorial Hall, funds for Ararat Emergency Relief to purchase and distribute Christmas hampers and toys, and installing bench seats on Lake Buninjon’s foreshore.
Each group, including those which received the full amount applied for, must also contribute funds themselves to their projects.
