More than $31,000 awarded to Gunnedah shire community, sports groups

Ten community and sport organisations in the Gunnedah shire will benefit from more than $31,000 in new funding grants.

Gunnedah Shire Council agreed at its August ordinary meeting to allocate $31,529 under the 2024/2025 Section 356 (Community and Sports) Small Grants Program to six community and four sporting organisations.

The grant program has operated since 2005 and is designed to support the work of local not-for-profit, charitable community and sporting groups and organisations.

More than $484,000 has been awarded since the program’s inception.

Successful grant recipients under the latest funding round include Gunnedah Baptist Child Care Association ($4980) for the installation of a water tank on a stand for chicken coop; Kelvin Hall Committee Inc ($2649) to purchase seating for the hall and youth mental health charity, Ripple Effect North West Inc, ($3689) for development of a service website and donation portal and Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts ($5000) for the installation of a safety guardrail at Apex Drive hairpin for use during its hillclimb event.

The level of funding available is up to $5000 (GST exclusive) and is dependent on the project and the documentation supplied as evidence to support the application.

Applications for projects that have commenced or been completed prior to the opening of the grant round, or a determination by council, are not eligible. Organisations that omitted mandatory information including quotes, financial statements, and key information to support their application were ruled ineligible, as were organisations with existing financial agreements with council.

Of the $40,421 total funding pool available for the program, a combined total of $8891 was unallocated across the grant streams.

The grant panel, which included elected council representatives and staff, recommended the unallocated balance be made available via a smaller second round of grant funding to ensure the community had maximum access to grant opportunities.

Eligible groups unsuccessful in the first round would be encouraged to resubmit applications in the second round.

The panel recommended that a list of all community organisations with an existing financial agreement be developed, to assist grants panels to consider applications against the guidelines.

In communicating application outcomes to unsuccessful applicants, the panel requested that staff provide feedback on the application, suggestions to strengthen future applications and links to further grant opportunities.

Full list of latest grant recipients:

Gunnedah Baptist Child Care Association ($4980) – Installation of a water tank on a stand for chicken coop.

Gunnedah Meals on Wheels ($1452) – Purchase of kitchen equipment.

Gunnedah Ministers Fraternal ($1040) – Venue hire toward church services.

Gunnedah Pottery Club ($817)- Purchase of a wall mounted clay extruder and dies.

Kelvin Hall Committee Inc ($2649) – Purchase seating for the hall.

Ripple Effect North West Inc ($3689) – Development of a service website and donation portal.

Gunnedah Family Support ($1900) – Keepit Commando Mud Run and Obstacle Course.

Gunnedah Athletics Centre ($5000) – Completion of the Shot-Put Area and equipment upgrades.

Gunnedah Junior Cricket Association ($4500) – New cricket equipment and coach fees.

Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts ($5000) – Installation of safety guardrail at Apex Drive hairpin for hillclimb.

Gunnedah Tennis Club ($5000) – New heating under the clubhouse awning.