Cycling Without Age Wagga Chapter was one of 59 local organisations to receive a grant from energy company Transgrid. The grant was used to buy a second trishaw bike, which allowed 101-year-old Joyce Coffey to ride around Wagga in comfort. Photo: Supplied.
Energy giant Transgrid is getting behind regional not-for-profit organisations, which can now apply for much-needed funding under the second round of the company’s Community Partnerships Program this year.
Community organisations in various parts of NSW can apply for grants of up to $5000 to deliver valuable services, facilities, activities and events to help make their communities more livable.
Executive general manager of major projects Gordon Taylor said Transgrid invested in local communities where transmission infrastructure was located or under development as part of its commitment to supporting regional NSW.
“Transgrid is delivering the critical infrastructure and priority projects identified by the Commonwealth and NSW governments to enable Australia’s clean-energy transition,” Mr Taylor said.
“Regional communities are at the heart of our renewable energy transformation and we are committed to maximising the positive social and economic benefits for everybody.”
Mr Taylor said since 2020, more than 215 not-for-profit organisations had shared almost $1 million in grants as part of the Community Partnerships Program.
“These grants support welfare and disability organisations, charities, neighbourhood centres, schools, sporting clubs, and arts and environmental groups to fund much-needed projects including new and upgraded facilities, services, activities, and events to make their local communities a better place to live,” he said.
“Our major projects, such as EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West, are also providing jobs, support for local businesses, educational opportunities and improved infrastructure in regional communities.”
Cycling Without Age Wagga’s new trishaw, funded by Transgrid, will allow more members of the elderly and disabled community to travel around Wagga. Photo: Supplied.
The first round of the 2023 Community Partnerships Program saw a record 59 groups receive funding, including Wagga Wagga’s chapter of Cycling Without Age, a not-for-profit charity that allows elderly members of the community who are unable to ride bikes to travel with the aid of a cyclist.
The Wagga Wagga branch received the grant to buy a second trishaw bike, allowing it to take more elderly and disabled residents on rides around the city.
Marry Potter Nursing Home resident Joyce Coffey, 101, is one of 750 passengers who have been taken on rides since the Wagga Wagga chapter was established in January this year.
“The fresh air, it’s good to feel fresh air,” Ms Coffey said after returning from a ride.
“I would like to thank the volunteers because they do a wonderful job. They get us out of our rooms. I like seeing the flowers and the trees.
“I look forward to it every week. It’s better than just sitting and flopping in the chairs and dozing. It’s no good. I like to go a little bit further. I like to really keep moving.”
Cycling Without Age Wagga Wagga chairperson Helen Sturman said the organisation liked to take those who were isolated and could no longer ride for themselves out on the trishaw for rides so they could feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their face and reconnect with the local community.
“The trishaws that we ride are imported from Denmark, so they’re quite expensive, and the Transgrid grant was greatly appreciated as we could put it towards purchasing our second trishaw,” Ms Sturman said.
Applications for grants of up to $5000 are open until 30 September. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, click here.
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