Community funding opportunities now available

The Nationals Member for Benalla Bill Sykes is encouraging organisations within the Benalla Electorate to apply for funding to restore war memorials and honour boards.

The Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program provides funding of up to $7000 for ex-service organisations, local councils, schools and community groups to preserve, restore and enhance local war memorials and honour boards.

Dr Sykes said, “War memorials and honour boards provide great insight into our history and honours those local servicemen and women who died in the service of their country.”

Repairs to broken statues that form part of a memorial, repairs to barriers and fences, re-lettering, new plaques, lighting, landscaping, interpretative signs and, if necessary, re-location, are all projects that will be considered for funding.

Previous recipients in the Benalla Electorate have been:

· Bright War Memorial – Bright
· Mystic War Memorial – Mystic Park
· Fallen Soldiers Memorial – Mansfield
· Nagambie War Memorial – Nagambie
· Tatong Primary School – Tatong
· Thornton Memorial Hall – Thornton
· Benalla War Memorial – Benalla
· St John’s Honour Roll - Nagambie

Dr Sykes continued, “The community cenotaphs and war memorials are an essential element of the streetscapes of many towns in the Benalla electorate and contribute strongly to our love for our own towns and our sense of place.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I urge all eligible organisations to apply for funding so that our cenotaphs and war memorials remain a source of community pride and respect, not only on Anzac Day, Darwin Defenders Day and special wartime anniversaries, but every day,” Bill Sykes said.

Applications for the grants close on 7 February 2007, and further information and application forms are available at www.veterans.vic.gov.au phone 1300 366356 or contact Peta Clark at Bill Sykes office ph 5762 2100.

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VICHEALTH ACTIVE CLUB GRANT FOR 2006

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, informs sporting clubs in the Benalla Electorate that applications for the VicHealth 2006 Active Club Grant are now open.

Dr Sykes said the grant aims to encourage and increase participation opportunities in physical activities for those who are currently inactive or traditionally encounter barriers to participation by:-

• providing equipment or training;
• improving the safety of sporting and active recreation environments; and
• reducing the likelihood of injury while promoting physical activity.

The grant program will provide funding for sports injury prevention equipment, essential equipment/items, volunteer training and portable shade.

“477 sporting clubs across Victoria were successful in seeking funding from the Active Club Grant scheme in 2005.

“It was pleasing to see that 14 sporting clubs in the Benalla Electorate were amongst those successful:

1st Alexandra Cub Scouts $2,470
Benalla Bushwalking Club $500
Benalla Swimming & Lifesaving Club $2,005
Euroa & District Netball Assoc Inc $987
Euroa Clay Target Club Inc $2,500
Euroa Junior Football Club $347
Mansfield Pony Club Inc $1,500
Mokoan Yacht Club Inc $1,000
Moyhu & District Youth Group Inc $2220
Myrtleford Amateur Swimming Club $1,102
Myrtleford Bowls Club $829
Nagambie Cricket Club $255
Riding for the Disabled, Myrtleford $2,150
Warrenbayne Cricket Club $2,495

Dr Sykes concluded, “I congratulate these clubs for their efforts to provide safe sporting environments for their players and I encourage all sporting organisations in the Benalla Electorate to apply for the 2006 round of funding.

Applications (by mail only) close 15 December 2006. Successful applicants will be notified by the 16 March 2007. Enquiries contact Vic Health Ph 03 9667 1321 or via website www.vichealth.vic.gov.au.

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