26 July 2024

63 community-led projects backed by Wagga Council's grants program

| Jarryd Rowley
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Tarcutta Memorial Hall

A $9995 grant from the WWCC annual grants fund means that the Tarcutta Memorial Hall will receive the necessary upgrades to improve safety at the hall. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.

More than $265,000 has been awarded to 63 community-led projects by Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) as part of its 2024/25 Annual Grants Program.

Projects were classified under one of 10 categories, which included Community Programs and Projects; Recreational and Community Facilities; Neighbourhood and Rural Villages; Rural Halls; Arts, Culture and Creative Industries; Local Heritage; Events; Environment; Youth Programs and Projects; and Small Business.

This year’s program saw nearly 100 applicants request a total of $521,370.60 of funding before WWCC decided to settle on the 63 projects it believed to be worthwhile.

Mayor of Wagga Wagga Dallas Tout said the continuing popularity of the program could be seen in the number of applications received.

“Our Annual Grants Program plays an important role in providing vital support across the community,” Councillor Tout said.

“The program enables council to support local non-profit community groups, individuals and small business with project funding which directly benefit our community.”

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The successful applicants for 2024/25 covered a wide range of projects and initiatives, from a plumbing upgrade for the Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall to supporting the Afghanistan Women’s Football team visiting Wagga Wagga for a weekend of events.

“We are pleased to be able to provide this support to the 63 successful applicants, who will be delivering these diverse and inclusive programs and initiatives to the community,” Cr Tout said.

“We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition over the next 12 months.”

Applications were assessed by 10 category panels comprising of a councillor, an independent community representative, and staff.

The program is part of council’s commitment to developing a vibrant and diverse community in line with the goals of the Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040.

Here is how the funding was allocated:

Arts, Culture and Creative Industries – $32,500

Highest funded applicant: Judith Lewis (Auspice: Eastern Riverina Arts) – $7500 for a mural on the laneway fence at Galing Place.

Community Programs and Projects – $30,000

Highest funded applicant: Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Wagga Wagga – $7500 to repair and upgrade the hall for community-wide use.

Environment – $12,572

Highest funded project: Mikayla Green and Lucy Wright (Auspice: Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists) – $3856 for the Estella Community Squirrel Glider Initiative: Events to engage the public and increase awareness of this threatened species.

Events – $37,534

Highest funded applicants:

Wagga Wagga and District Football Trust – $7500 for the Afghanistan Women’s Football Team and Melbourne Victory Football Club in Wagga Wagga for a weekend of events.

Riverina Readers Festival – $7500 for a one-day book festival to be held in Wagga Wagga in July 2025.

Women in Business Wagga Wagga – $7500 for an annual key speaker event as part of initiatives to inspire, educate, and empower women in the community.

Local Heritage – $15,500

Highest funded applicant: Mackenna Powell – $3750 for restoration works on the upstairs front windows of the former School of Arts building in Fitzmaurice Street.

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Neighbourhood and Rural Villages – $22,000

Highest funded applicant: Uranquinty Progress Association – $4520 for the design and installation of road signage to direct Uranquinty visitors to the Water Tower art installation.

Recreational and Community Facilities – $30,000

Highest funded applicant: Eastern Riverina Arts – $7500 for the purchase and installation of reverse cycle air-conditioning.

Rural Halls – $25,000

Highest funded applicant: Galore Hall and Recreation Committee (Auspice: Wagga Wagga City Council) – $10,000 for the installation of a concrete ramp to upgrade the access to the Galore Hall main entrance.

Small Business – $35,487

Highest funded applicant: Roseleigh Manor – $7500 for the installation of a viewing window to showcase the Killer Pies pie-line as a tourist attraction.

Youth Programs and Projects

Highest funded applicant: Eastern Riverina Arts – $4843 for supporting regional young musical acts and creatives to produce a night of locally created music at The Station Creative Hub in late spring 2024.

To view all the successful applicants of the WWCC 2024-25 annual grants funding, visit Wagga Wagga City Council.

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