$50,000 in grants

Ararat Advertiser
Tuesday 11/12/2007 Page: 1

ARARAT - Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Communities Fund has injected $50,000 into the Ararat community. The fund provided a total of $50,000 to 17 local community organisations through its latest round of grants. Pacific Hydro executive manager, Andrew Richards said the largest grants went to projects that support families and children in the Ararat Rural City. "Pacific Hydro is passionate about our work in communities and the Sustainable Communities Fund ensures we can provide support to groups who are working to achieve positive outcomes in their community," Mr Richards said.

"This year we are very proud that funding being provided will ensure that some important projects that support families and children will be completed." Groups sharing the largest grants included the Ararat and District Horse and Pony Club. Jack and Jill Kindergarten, Elmhurst Playgroup, St Andrew's Kindergarten and the Ararat YMCA.

Jack and Jill Kindergarten was awarded the largest grant, it received $9,873 towards its playground upgrade. Kindergarten director Kristine Hughes said she was excited to receive the grant and it would enable the playground upgrade to be completed. "We've been planning for the last 15 years knowing that we'd have to re-develop our fort." Ms Hughes said. "The volunteer committee raised $20,000 towards the rebuild, and that's done. "With this we'll be able to complete the renovation." Funds will be used to create a cave and tunnel under the fort, for planting in the gardens and creating a pole forest.

Ms Hughes said that the grant would enable works to be completed in the playground - these would have otherwise been put on hold until funds could be raised. "Without the grant we would be waiting another 20 years probably," Ms Hughes said. "Like all Ararat community groups it's all funds from the community (that are needed to carry out works). "To be able to access these funds from Pacific Hydro is fantastic." St Andrew's Kindergarten director/ teacher Susan Hurley echoed Ms Hughes' comments saying its grant of $5.000 would make a big difference to facilities at the kinder. "We are planning to use it as part of a three stage outdoor project." Ms Hurley said.

This will be stage one, we will use it for the construction of shade sails over the playground." Ms Hurley said students will then be able to access the outdoor playground all year round. Ms Hurley said that the grant eased the strain on the kindergarten to come up with the funds. "It means that we can go ahead on it now as opposed to six months down the track," Ms Hurley said. Ararat and District Horse and Pony Club will use its $4,000 to improve the amenities at its Elizabeth Street home.

Club secretary Leonie Tellefson said the funds would be used to install a shower and new toilets. Ms Tellefson said that the Pacific Hydro funding alone would not complete the project, it would be completed in stages. Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Community Fund provides a proportion of revenue from the Challicum Hills Wind Farm to support education, sporting, cultural and environmental projects within the Ararat Rural City.

The program, which will run for the life of the wind farm, has been operating for three years and has already provided in excess of $100,000 shared across 25 different community organisations working within the Ararat Rural City. "We always receive very large numbers of applications for a range of very worthwhile projects." Mr Richards said. "I'd like to thank the Ararat Rural City for their guidance and assistance which has been invaluable in the very difficult short-listing process." Cheques were presented to the 17 grant recipients at a ceremony at the Ararat Town Hall last week.