Media releases: 5 December 2017
$600,000 distributed to more than 100 community groups over four years
30 not-for-profit and community organisations across cotton growing regions will benefit from a $5,000 grant just before the festive season, awarded under the 2017 Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities grants program. The program is delivered in partnership by the Monsanto Fund and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and has now distributed $600,000 to New South Wales and Queensland cotton communities in the past four years. Bendigo, 5 December 2017: Rural schools, men’s sheds, Country Women’s Associations and community halls are among the 30 not-for-profit organisations in cotton growing communities to receive a $5000 boost from the Monsanto Fund this year.
“After four years, the positive effect that these grants have on recipient communities is becoming even more apparent,” said Natalie Egleton, Chief Executive of FRRR.
“With these grants, local community groups are able to address ongoing challenges and deliver lasting benefits in their communities. Often the funding is a catalyst for further investment, with grants typically leveraged at least three times over with additional financial or in-kind support.
“Sometimes they may seem like simple things, but new transport equipment for the Meals on Wheels Service or upgrading disabled access to a community hall has far-reaching impacts. With increasing pressures on rural communities making it harder to raise funds locally, we are delighted to be able to provide support for the wonderful work that many local leaders do, to build strong, vibrant and sustainable communities.”
Cotton Australia Chief Executive, Adam Kay, said the organisation was encouraged to see another 30 diverse projects awarded grants for the betterment of cotton-growing communities.
“In recent years these grants have played an important role, either as seed funding to enable organisations to get projects off the ground, or as the deciding factor in an existing project’s successful completion.
“We congratulate all of this years’ recipients and look forward to seeing what is accomplished in the coming year,” Adam said.
Monsanto Fund Representative in Australia, Jessica Douglas said that it was clear from the nominations received that there are many dedicated people within cotton areas committed to providing quality and much needed community services.
“Monsanto is proud of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program and the ongoing, positive impact of the grants over the past four years is noteworthy. This year we saw many community support programs being nominated, providing the opportunity to fund a range of projects that focus on mental health, disability care and education. It is important that the projects articulate long term benefits, in this way we can ensure that each individual grant has an enduring impact.”
“Monsanto would like to thank all the cotton growers who nominated community projects – your support for the program ensures its success. The stories that have emerged over the past four years are astonishing. With such a wide mandate the grant program is able to offer support to many people. Congratulations to this year’s recipients,” Jessica said.
Here is the full list of grant recipients:
|
Organisation & Project Summary |
Town | Grant | |
|---|---|---|---|
QUEENSLAND | |||
|
1 |
Clermont Kindergarten and Day Care Centre Enhance the quality of the educational environment through the purchase of learning and technology resources. |
Clermont |
$5,000 |
|
2 |
Emerald North Primary P&C Assoc Improve the capacity for early intervention for children with disabilities through the purchase of specialised classroom furniture and sensory equipment. |
Emerald |
$5,000 |
|
3 |
Brookstead State School P&C Assoc Improve food safety through a safe, clean, vermin-proof food preparation area via the installation of splashback, security doors and storage cupboards. |
Brookstead |
$5,000 |
|
4 |
Dalby Crisis Support Assoc Inc Increase support to homeless people and vulnerable families by purchasing furniture and household items, food, personal items and children’s play equipment and toys for crisis accommodation facility. |
Dalby |
$5,000 |
|
5 |
Dalby Men’s Shed Inc Expand the Shed’s capacity to undertake community projects and run workshops through the addition of a drum sander, welder, thicknesser and cordless power tools. |
Dalby |
$5,000 |
|
6 |
Dalby Primary P&C Assoc Provide an area for school students to eat, socialise and undertake outdoor activities by replacing outdoor seats. |
Dalby |
$5,000 |
|
7 |
Callide Valley Men’s Shed Enable people with disability or mobility issues to partake in activities at the Men’s Shed via the installation of a disability-friendly shower and toilet. |
Biloela |
$5,000 |
|
8 |
Dirranbandi Pastoral & Agricultural Assoc Inc Increase leadership and skills development for young people by providing support to attend the Queensland Agricultural Show Next Generation Conference. |
Dirranbandi |
$5,000 |
|
9 |
Bonshaw P&C Assoc Enable families to learn healthy food choices and provide activities for youth through the purchase of a new cooking facility and upgrading the school’s outdoor facilities. |
Bonshaw |
$5,000 |
|
10 |
Bungunya State School Facilitate literacy development through the purchase of new books and the installation of a digital scanning system. |
Bungunya |
$5,000 |
|
11 |
St George Meals on Wheels Improve the sustainability and delivery of Meals on Wheels by purchasing new Eskys, a car fridge and kitchen items. |
St George |
$5,000 |
|
12 |
St George Swimming Club Inc Reduce risk of rural drownings through the purchase of flippers and kick boards for a swim education program. |
St George |
$5,000 |
NEW SOUTH WALES | |||
|
13 |
Country Women’s Assoc of NSW – Bourke Branch Increase the CWA’s capacity to support local events with catering, and ensuring their kitchen meets current health standards, by purchasing kitchen items. |
Bourke |
$5,000 |
|
14 |
Mallawa Amateur Picnic Race Club Inc Enhance all-weather capacity for a range of community engagement opportunities through the building of a veranda around the shed. |
Mallawa
|
$5,000 |
|
15 |
Bellata Tennis Club for the Bellata Mobile Preschool Provide safe food storage and enable minor food preparation for the Preschool via upgrades in the Tennis Club’s kitchen. |
Bellata |
$5,000 |
|
16 |
Narrabri Arts Eisteddfod Inc Provide strengthened culture and art engagement through choral, piano, brass and woodwind workshops and group music tuition for the whole community. |
Narrabri |
$5,000 |
|
17 |
Nurruby Wee Waa OOSH (Nurruby Children’s Services Inc) Enhance children’s activities, comfort and development via the purchase of furniture, art supplies, play equipment and a lockable shed. |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
18 |
Wee Waa & District Historical Assoc Inc Strengthen cultural pride and knowledge and increase economic activity via the creation of a life-sized Aboriginal campsite diorama for display at the historical museum. |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
19 |
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Warren Parents & Friends Assoc Reduce sun exposure and enhance students’ outdoor experiences through the installation of a steel shade structure over the new school playground. |
Warren |
$5,000 |
|
20 |
Trangie Action Group Inc Increase economic growth and promote town pride by erecting signs at the four entrances of Trangie. |
Trangie |
$5,000 |
|
21 |
Warren Rotary Club Enhance residents’ health and wellbeing via the extension of a sun room at the local aged care room in the hospital. |
Warren |
$5,000 |
|
22 |
Mungindi Junior Rugby League Club Inc Increase community group capacity to operate community and fundraising events via the purchase of shade tents, tables and chairs and a PA speaker. |
Mungindi |
$5,000 |
|
23 |
Coleambally Preschool Assoc Inc Provide enhanced support to children with developmental challenges through the purchase of specialised play and learning equipment. |
Coleambally |
$5,000 |
|
24 |
Griffith-Leeton Centre Riding for the Disabled Improve inclusion, participation and skill development of children with disabilities through the purchase of a special saddle designed for wheelchair-bound riders and ball reins. |
Yenda |
$5,000 |
|
25 |
Hillston Creative Arts Council Inc Ensure safety and enhance the gallery and tourist information facility through repairs to the flooring, toilets and gutters and repainting. |
Hillston |
$5,000 |
|
26 |
Leeton Community Care Development Inc Increase training opportunities for the unemployed via the purchase of a stainless steel benchtop and commercial coffee machine. |
Leeton |
$5,000 |
|
27 |
Quirindi Chamber of Commerce Industry & Tourism Inc Facilitate community cohesion and stimulate the local economy by supporting the staging of the Quirindi Christmas Street Carnival. |
Quirindi |
$5,000 |
|
28 |
Quirindi Preschool Kindergarten Inc Provide a tangible example of recycling and enhance children’s outdoor activities through the purchase of durable outdoor seating made from plastic bags. |
Quirindi |
$5,000 |
|
29 |
Burren Junction Parents & Citizens Assoc Inc Foster education engagement and support different student needs and learning styles through the provision of Individual Study Zones within classrooms. |
Burren Junction |
$5,000 |
|
30 |
Burren Junction Memorial School of Arts Hall Committee Strengthen cultural vibrancy and access quality performance space via the installation of stage lighting at the hall. |
Burren Junction |
$5,000 |
