Ararat Sustainable Community Fund Recipients Announced

Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Communities Fund has delivered a funding boost of $50,000 to 21 community groups working in the Ararat Rural City in a cheque presentation ceremony held at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre today.(7/9/2009)

Community groups from Ararat, Elmhurst, Lake Bolac, Pomonal, Mt Cole and Willaura all received funding with the largest amounts going to cultural and sporting projects.

The groups receiving the largest individual grants include the Ararat Little Athletics Club who received $5000 to purchase a state of the art automatic timing system, the Yalla-Y-Poora Tennis courts received $5000 to re-surface their unsafe tennis courts and the Ararat SES received $5000 to equip their rescue truck with vertical rescue equipment.

"We're thrilled to be able to support so many great projects that will support community activities across the Ararat Rural City", said General Manager Australia/Pacific, Mr Lane Crockett.

"We always receive more applications than we can fund, and short listing is never an easy process; however we aim to provide funding to identified community priorities." "I'd like to thank the Ararat Rural City Council and community members who helped finalise the applications", added Mr Crockett.

The Sustainable Communities Fund runs annually for the life of the Challicum Hills Wind Farm and has already injected $250,000 into 70 community groups working in the local area.

Lane Crockett will be available for interview following the Sustainable Communities Fund cheque presentations on Monday 7 September at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre from 12:00 noon.
Presentations will be made to 21 local groups and organisations and a light lunch will be provided.

Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Communities Fund Successful applicants list - Ararat 2009

Ararat Agricultural Society - Sponsorship of the Ararat Show - $1000
Ararat Golden Gateway Festival - Sponsorship of the Ararat Golden Gateway Festival - $1000
Ararat Central Connect - Support for the Skills in Development Program - $3542.62
Willaura Development Group - Support for the 2010 Willaura Harvest Cut-Out - $1500
Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival - Support of the Festival's Youth Programs - $3000
Grampians Community Health - Support for the 'Baby Think It Over Project' - $1753
Yalla-Y-Poora Community Centre - Funds to resurface the currently unsafe Tennis Courts - $5000
Ararat Y's Men's Club - Support for the 2009 Carols by Candlelight - $500
McGregor House Ararat & Grampians Tri State Games - Support for the 2009 Tri State Games - $2500
SMW Rovers Football & Netball Club & wider Streatham/Mininera/Carranballa/Lake Bolac Communities -Funds to purchase a heart machine which will service the community - $3490
Lake Bolac Eel Festival - Sponsorship of the 2010 Lake Bolac Eel Festival - $1000
Ararat Little Athletics - Funds to purchase a state of the art timing system - $5000
Ararat Community Men's Shed - Funds to replace an unsafe electrical switchboard at the Club - $915
Elmhurst Festival of the Wind - Sponsorship of the 2010 Elmhurst Festival of the Wind - $3500
Elmhurst Cricket Club - Funds to purchase cricket equipment - $500
Pomonal Cricket Club - Funds to help expand the sprinkler system at the grounds - $5000
Ararat Fire Brigade - Funds to purchase a notebook to help with the Brigades training - $1962
Ararat Bowls Club - Sponsorship of the Annual Open Setsplay Pairs Classic - $500
Ararat Clay Target Club - Funds to help upgrade two shooting areas to meet OH&S requirements - $2500
Mt Cole Cemetery Trust - Funds to purchase a water tank for the cemetery - $995
Ararat State Emergency Service - Funds to help equip the rescue truck with vertical rescue equipment -$5000