Rodney Stevens
Community groups across the valley will share in $22,510.78 in donations from Clarence Valley Council after councillors unanimously voted to approve the second round of the 2023-2024 Community Initiatives Program.
Round two of the Community Initiatives Program was open for eight weeks from September 1 to October 31 and organisations seeking a donation were encouraged to apply.
Once applications closed, council received 21 online submissions via the Smarty Grants link on its website.
All applications were considered by council in line with the program guidelines and donations policy, and funding recommendations were made in relation to each application.
Council allocated $104,000 to its donations budget for 2023-2024, which covers the Community Initiatives Program rounds one and two, the Cultural and Sports Trust Fund, and DA fee requests, and of that $68,536.56 has been already allocated.
The recommended donation of $22,510.78 to the 21 groups who applied leaves $6,735.90 remaining to cover future applications, with the Cultural and Sports Trust budget resetting in January 2024.
Organisations to receive donations and what they are used for:
Grafton CWA – Applied and granted $1200. Install 3 ceiling fans with lights.
Harwood Island Fishing Club – Applied $960, granted $360. Monthly club BBQ and kids’ gifts.
Coutts Crossing Preschool – Applied $1559, granted $910. Cost of four storage units.
Fortem Australia Limited – Applied and granted $1000. Bridge to Support program helping the mental health of first responders in the valley.
Iluka Golf Club – Applied and granted $1000. Sponsorship Iluka Para Open Gold Day.
New Life Church – Applied and granted $600. Purchase 4 pickleball nets for youth and men’s group.
Glenreagh Memorial Museum – Applied $2200, granted $2000. Cedar and Steam Art and Photography Competition/exhibition.
Yamba CAN Inc – Applied and granted $1000. Purchase a marquee for markets and events.
Maclean and District Pipe Band – Applied and granted $1320. Replacing worn band uniforms.
Valley Watch Inc – Applied and granted $997. Replace damaged gazebo and new signage.
Clarence Valley Sports Awards – Applied $5000, granted $3000. Hosting CV Sports Awards.
Clarence River Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services – Applied $1000, granted $950. Purchase two 10 metre by two metre banners raising awareness of DV and family violence.
Clarence Valley Filipino-Australian Community Club Inc – Applied $2600, granted $2000. Cost of December meeting and celebrating Philippine Independence Day in June 2024.
Glenreagh Public School – Applied and granted $100. Four $25 Book Warehouse vouchers.
Livable Limited – Applied $735, granted $283.50. Cover fees for Jim Thompson Pavilion for supported playgroup for aboriginal parents and carers.
ICOPE Inc – Applied and granted $1097.25. ICOPE bookings of Iluka Community Hall.
Mission Australia – Applied and granted $138.60. Wooli Hall mental health meetings.
Coastal Communities Protection Alliance Inc. – applied and granted $322. Wooli Hall hire for Wild about Wooli Art Show.
Lower Clarence Baptist Church – Applied and granted $898. Hire of Maclean Indoor Sports Centre Friday night for first two 2024 terms for youth group.
Pelican Playhouse – Applied $901, granted $1,134.40. Rates on Pelican Playhouse, Jan to June 2024.
Clarence Childhood Services Association Inc. – Applied $7265.05, granted $2,200.03. Rates on Clarence Childhood Services and Clarence Community Preschool.