Community projects become a reality

Burra Broadcaster
Wednesday 5/12/2007 Page: 6

Several community groups in the Mid North recently received grants towards a variety of projects as part of the AGL Hallett Wind Farm Community Fund. AGL project manager, Steve Oswald, presented the successful applicants with their cheques over morning tea at the Northern Areas Council on Wednesday November 28. Community groups and volunteers in both the Regional Council of Goyder and Northern Areas Council regions were encouraged to apply for the funds, which will be granted annually for the next 25 years.

A total of $15,000 in funds has been designated to successful applicants across the two council areas as part of the AGL Hallett Wind Farm Community Fund. Mr Oswald mentioned plans for an identical fund to be established for the Hallett Wind Farm, in which another $15,000 will be made available annually to communities within the Regional Council of Goyder. Manager of community development at Northern Areas Council, Stacey Goodes, described the funds as "a big bonus to community groups."

Administered by the Northern Areas Council, the grant assistance means that a lot of previously wishful projects in the local community have now become a reality. The successful applicants of the Community Fund within the Northern Areas Council included the Jamestown and Areas Basketball Association, who received $3,000 for new junior uniforms, which a couple of young basketball players were sporting at the presentation morning.

Jamestown Lawn Tennis Association was granted a useful $2,700 towards a water conditioner for irrigation as the water restrictions and a salty bore prevented the club from watering their courts, while the Jamestown Bowling Club was granted $500 for sub-floor ventilation to prevent termites. A new tumble mat will be purchased for Jamestown Kinder gymnastics who received a $2,000 grant, while the Spalding Swimming Centre was granted $1,000 towards the cost of a pool safety course for the volunteer supervisors, and the Jamestown Showground received an upgrade to its power supply.

Ellen and Don Mudge of the Jamestown Development Association, who received $1,500 toward the cost of advertising and entertainment for the Christmas pageant, described the fund as "absolutely fantastic." "To receive that much money for the pageant is such a blessing," Mrs Mudge said. Through the Community Fund, Mr Oswald said AGL aims to bring a positive impact to the communities in which they are involved. "AGL has invested significantly in South Australia and the company takes its responsibility as an active and contributing member of the community very seriously. The community grants are a tangible way of demonstrating our community awareness in small through to significant ways," Mr Oswald said.

Having commenced construction on the Hallett Power Station in 2001 through to the construction phase of the Hallett Wind Farm and their recent commitment to the establishment of a Hallett Wind Farm, AGL aim to generate enough "green energy" to power over 90,000 homes. "We are thrilled to see so many volunteers who go out of their way to make their communities a better place to live," Mr Oswald said. A presentation for successful applicants within the Regional Council of Goyder is expected to be held in the next month.