FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS BUILDING STRONGER RIVERINA AND CENTRAL WEST COMMUNITIES

An organisation which provides accommodation for people undergoing cancer treatment in Wagga Wagga will be able to kick start planned upgrades of patient bathrooms with money delivered by the Federal Government through the latest round of its Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said Can Assist had successfully applied for $14,000 through SCP, which will be used to upgrade the bathroom of the disabled access room at Lilier Lodge.

Lilier Lodge is one of 15 Riverina and Central West not-for-profit organisations which have had applications approved through the latest round of SCP. The program delivers up to $150,000 for each of Australia’s 151 electorates for small capital projects which deliver important social benefits to the community.

“The Stronger Communities Programme does what its name says – it builds stronger communities in the Riverina and Central West, from large centres such as Wagga Wagga and Parkes to small towns and villages such as The Rock, Woodstock and Dirnaseer,” Mr McCormack said.

“When I phone organisations to tell them they will receive a Stronger Communities Grant one of the most common responses I hear is ‘this will make a great difference’.”

Mr McCormack said the COVID-19 pandemic had cruelled fund-raising over the past 12 months for many not-for-profit organisations and so the latest round of SCP grants was often making the difference between important projects going ahead or being left undone.

Lilier Lodge manager Margaret Dalmau welcomed the grant for her organisation.

“It’s a great kick start to our improvements, particularly as this is a 17-year-old facility,” Ms Dalmau said.

“It will help with the comfort, health and safety of our guests.”

Turvey Park Girl Guides will receive a $14,497 SCP grant to make vital improvements to its Sunshine Avenue hall, including removing asbestos and refurbishing the hall floor to make the building a safer environment for users.

"After a year of limited fundraising opportunities, being able to access this grant is really important to Turvey Park Girl Guides,” said spokeswoman Ros Steel.

“We will be able to replace the asbestos on the eastern gable and have the floor sanded and resealed.

“Not only the Girl Guides, but several community groups who use our hall will benefit when this work is completed."

Service manager of The Rock & District Meals on Wheels, Vicky Hogan, said SCP grant for her organisation was greatly appreciated.

“It provides the necessary funds to help us improve and maintain a quality service for the elderly within our community,” Mrs Hogan said.

Mr McCormack said the Stronger Communities Programme had delivered nearly $900,000 to not-for-profit organisations in the Riverina and Central West through the first six rounds of funding.

“I am delighted a seventh round of the Stronger Communities Programme was funded in the 2021-22 Budget, offering grants of between $2,500 and $20,000,” Mr McCormack said.

“That seventh round will open for expressions of interest early next year.”

APPROVED ROUND SIX STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME GRANTS IN THE RIVERINA ELECTORATE

• Can Assist (Lilier Lodge) Wagga Wagga – upgrade bathroom $14,000

• Lockhart Shire Council – Refurbish exterior of Lockhart Railway Station $18,020

• Uranquinty Progress Association – Replace oven in community hall kitchen $4,224

• The Rock & District Meals on Wheels Association Inc – Upgrade of kitchen facilities $4,014

• Junee Junior Rugby League – Refurbishment of two change rooms $17,500

• Dirnaseer Memorial Hall Temora Shire – Storage improvements $3,190

• Pro Patria (Wagga Wagga) – Information technology and first aid equipment - $14,581

• Legacy Club of Wagga Wagga – Replace oven $4,151

• Wagga Wagga Art Society – Building repairs for Small Street studio $3,000

• Turvey Park Girl Guides – Repairs to Sunshine Avenue hall $14,497

• Murrumburrah-Harden Flexible Care Services – Refurbishment of new premises $13,500

• Woodstock Progress Association – Improvements to Woodstock Lions Park $7,925

• Parkes Services Squash and Sports Centre – renovate courts $18,000

• Weddin Shire Council – Upgrade barbecue facilities at Rotary Park in Grenfell $4,200

• Wirrinya Progress and Sports Association Forbes Shire – Barbecue $4,227

Shane Manning