Pacific Hydro offers funding

Ararat Advertiser
Tuesday 17/7/2007 Page: 4

Ararat - Australian renewable energy company Pacific Hydro announced the third round of its Sustainable Communities Fund was open and called for applications from local organisations working within the Ararat Rural City area.

Community relations manager, Emily Wood, said that the program had already achieved some great results supporting a range of community activities in the Ararat Rural City. "The Sustainable Communities Fund is available to all community groups and organisations working to make a positive and lasting contribution to their community. Previous successful applications have included the upgrade of sporting facilities in Willaura, an educational forum in Lake Bolac and support for a bush fire recovery program," Ms Wood said.

The Sustainable Communities Fund, which provides the community with a percentage of revenue from the sale of electricity from Challicum Hills Wind Farm, has already provided over $80,000 to community organisations within the Ararat Rural City area. Applications are considered in the areas of heath and welfare, education and training, sporting and recreation, and arts and culture and can be submitted until Friday August 24. "While it is never possible to fund every application, we take into account local community priorities when short-listing and allocating funding," said Ms Wood.

Application forms along with the program guidelines are available on Pacific Hydro 's website www.pacifichydro.com.au fund or by calling Emily Wood on 03 9615 6440.

Previous Sustainable Communities Fund recipients include the Ararat YMCA, Buangor Primary School, Elmhurst Recreation Reserve, Fiery Creek Festival, Lake Bolac Eel Festival, the Ararat Clay Target Club and the Moyston Fire Brigade. To find out further details about the Sustainable Communities Fund, and to download an application form, visit the website. The application period closes on Friday August 24.