Community Participation Programs Biggest Winners in Sustainable Communities Fund

Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Communities Fund has provided more than $50,000 to 17 local community organisations in the Ararat Rural City with the largest grants going to programs that encourage community participation.

Pacific Hydro's General Manager Australia/Pacific Lane Crockett, who was in Ararat to make the announcement, said the funding will support some great programs which encourage the entire community to get involved.

"Cultural activities such as the Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival and the Lake Bolac Eel Festival play an important cohesive role in the community. Pacific Hydro is proud to be supporting these programs which not only provide great family entertainment but achieve positive outcomes in the community" said Mr Crockett.

Sporting groups also featured in the grants funding, with the Tatyoon Netball Club and the Ararat and District Cycling Club receiving two of the largest grants. Both clubs encourage adults and children to participate in great sporting activities.

"Short listing applications and allocating funding is extremely difficult", added Mr Crockett. "We received a record 53 applications this year with requests totalling more than $315,000."

"We aim to allocate funding based on identified community priorities but it is never an easy process so the support we receive from the community including the Ararat Rural City Council in assisting us to identify community priorities is greatly appreciated."

Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Communities Fund is based on a portion of revenue from the Challicum Hills Wind Farm which this year celebrates its five year anniversary. Since the Wind Farm opened Pacific Hydro has been able to inject over $180,000 into 57 community groups and organisations working in the Ararat Rural City through the Sustainable Communities Fund.

"Pacific Hydro is very proud to be working in the Ararat Rural City supporting community organisations that together are creating such positive outcomes for the whole community." said Mr Crockett.

Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Communities Fund

Successful applicants list 2008 - Ararat Community:

Ararat Show Society - Support to bring the 'Zoo to You' wild life attraction to the show - $3,000
Ararat & District Historical Society - Photographic Storage Equipment - $1,234
Ararat & District Cycling Club - Junior Development Program - $5,000
Ararat VRI Bowls- Sun Screen Shelter for the Bowling Club - $4,550
Ararat Quickshear - Supply of reusable banners for their events - $1,000
Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival - 2009 Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival Children's Program - $5,000
Lake Bolac Eel Festival - Community Environmental Forum at the Festival - $1,900
Elmhurst Festival of the Wind -sponsorship of the Weather Vane Competition - $4,000
Ararat Y's Men's Club - Support for Carols by Candlelight - $1,000
Tatyoon Netball Club - Fencing of the courts - $6,000
Ararat & District Woodies Club - Purchase of a workshop air filtration system - $2,500
Ararat Golden Gateway Festival - Children's Day education and workshops in solar and renewable energy - $2,000
Rovers Junior Football Club Inc - Equipment and safety gear upgrade - $3,060
Ararat North Primary School - Upgrade of kitchen workstations to support the Kitchen Garden Project - $6,500
Central Grampians LLEN & LenZone! Youth Resource Centre -Upgrade of computer equipment - $2,000
Ararat Orchid Society - Support of annual Spring Orchid Show - $1,000
Martang Indigenous group - Purchase of new uniforms and training equipment to support the Sports Participation program - $2,400