NEARLY 50 community groups across the region have received up to $10,000 in grants from Transgrid’s first round of the Broken Hill and Far West NSW Community Partnerships Program.
The utility company created the grant programs following the power outages in the area in October last year and committed to donating $500,000 to boost community organisations.
Forty-four groups were announced as recipients in this first round with organisations like Maari Ma Aboriginal Corporation, RSPCA NSW, PCYC Broken Hill, Broken Hill Soccer Association, and Broken Hill Community Incorporated on the list.
Transgrid executive general manager for stakeholder, regulatory and corporate affairs Maryanne Graham said the not-for-profit organisations were important in the Broken Hill community.
“We’re proud to fund a range of important initiatives which will leave a lasting social legacy for communities across the region,” she said.
“We were overwhelmed by the outstanding quality of applications from community groups across Far West New South Wales and due to the high level of interest, we increased the first round of funding by $100,000 so we could fund more initiatives sooner.
“These grants will fund a range of projects, activities and facilities upgrades that are designed to support volunteers and community groups to make a positive difference and provide tangible and lasting benefits to regional communities well beyond the recovery period.”
The next round of applications for the second round of grants open soon.
Broken Hill Soccer Association received a grant to help with building a new barbecue area at the soccer grounds.
Association business manager Anita Hoysted said the funding will help create recreational space for the players.
“We have four clubs in Broken Hill with around 500 kids playing, but we currently don’t have any club rooms for them to use, the Transgrid grant will help fund a new barbecue and undercover seating area,” she said.
“It will give players somewhere to gather after games to sit down and share a meal together.”
