Council grants give a leg up to riding community

Mackay Riding for the Disabled was awarded $6739 to upgrade its fences and boundaries and Mackay and District Hack and Pony Club received $24,300 to upgrade and extend their current cross-country course.

The grants were part of $192,564 worth of Community Grants (round one) awarded to 22 community groups.

Community Grant Committee Chair Cr Laurence Bonaventura said this round of grants had been very competitive, but some excellent projects had been supported.

“It was great to see the Mackay Riding for the Disabled awarded funds to support the amazing work they do within the community,” Cr Bonaventura said.

“They are an organisation that provides a vital therapy service to people living with disability and the difference they make in the lives of those people, and their lives of their families, is amazing,” he said.

“It was also pleasing to see the Road Accident Action Group awarded $5400 to upgrade their ‘Stock on Roads’ video campaign, which is a vital educational tool in our region.”

Cr Bonaventura said it was also good to see infrastructure projects supported for the North Mackay Saints AFC and Mackay Junior Motorcross.

“The Saints successfully applied for $30,000 to upgrade their canteen, and the motorcross club was awarded $24,000 to help replace their scoring tower,” he said.

He said a $26,000 grant also went to the Mackay and District Woodchopping Association to purchase a new purpose-built tipper trailer.

“That trailer will be a vital asset for the association and the committee was pleased to be able to support the application on the condition that the trailer was sourced from a local supplier.”

Round two of council Community Grants, which also has $193,000 available, is now open and closes on Friday, November 3. Council is encouraging not-for-profits to get their applications in as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Also supported this round was:

• Mackay Riverside Market - $1500 for large games, dining tables and chairs.
• Marian Community War Memorial Hall - $1218 for a new fridge/freezer and microwave.
• Sarina Western Performance and Quarter Horse Club - $1103 for a printer and sound equipment.
• Sarina and District Community Kindergarten - $1439 for office equipment and furniture.
• Mackay Choral Society - $4320 for lighting, fans and electrical work.
• Mackay Swimming Academy - $2500 towards the Great Barrier Reef Swimming Carnival.
• Pioneer Catchment Landcare - $4000 towards revegetating around Crediton Hall and a Landcare day.
• Mackay Community Radio Association - $2000 towards a 30^th anniversary dinner.
• Heart Kids Ltd - $531 towards the Heart Kids Two Feet and a Heartbeat Charity Walk.
• Mackay Surf Life Saving Club Inc - $4045 for re-flooring their first aid room.
• QCWA Mackay Branch - $1500 for a laptop.
• Gargett QCWA - $1900 for a laptop and fridge.
• Iona West Men’s Shed - $1739 for an industrial range dust collector.
• Seaforth Bowls Club - $8330 to upgrade a door that improves accessibility to the venue.
• Finch Hatton Primary P&C Association - $30,000 for stage two of the multi-purpose courts upgrade.
• Mirani State School P&C Association - $10,000 for a community Indigenous yarning circle and sensory garden.