The Harden Shire Council Community Initiatives Program has allocated its funding for 2015, with various community groups in the Twin Towns receiving donations from Council.

The organisations that received funds from Council had adequately demonstrated that their initiatives were advantageous to the Harden Shire and of benefit to the community in general.

In total, $26,450.00 was allocated to community groups throughout the Harden Shire. Unfortunately, some community organisations missed out on funding due to a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the application criteria.

“Donations from Council are not for capital works or equipment,” said Donations Committee Chairman, Simon Doolan. “Capital works are too funding intensive. Therefore it is better to distribute smaller donations to multiple organisations throughout the Shire. A little bit for everyone.”

The JAG Children’s Art & Craft Day, Murrumburrah Light Horse Troop, Advancing Harden Murrumburrah, Rotary Club of Murrumburrah Harden and the Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society Inc. received $500.00 each.The Wombat Progress Association received $500.00 with $350.00 In-Kind.

Whichcraft & Coffee Cottage Inc., and the Jugiong Golf Club received $900.00 each. The Harden-Murrumburrah Gentle Exercise Group received $1,500.00, and the Harden- Murrumburrah Arts Council Inc. $1,900.00.

The Harden and District Picnic Race Committee received $4,000.00 with $3,000.00 In-Kind, the Harden Kite Festival Committee received $4,000.00 with $4,000.00 In-Kind. The Harden-Murrumburrah Twin Towns Rodeo Committee received $5,000.00 towards re-establishing the annual Harden-Murrumburrah Rodeo.

Harden Murrumburrah Twin Towns Rodeo Secretary, Kristy Brown (pictured) is very happy to receive funding form Harden Shire Councils’s Community Initiative Scheme. She said “ We are very happy that they have shown faith in a young and enthusiastic committee like ours.”

The Harden Shire Community Initiatives Program will not give donations for:

  • Events that generate financial profits for individuals or businesses;
  • Programs considered the responsibility of State or Federal Government, or;
  • Capital expenditure, purchasing of equipment, food, beverages, contributions to charities.

In regard to capital expenditure, for example, the Harden Polocrosse Club applied for funding to replace the existing canteen building with a club house. This application was rejected on the basis that it was funding for a structure, rather than an event or program.

In contrast, the Harden Murrumburrah Arts Council had its application approved by the Donations Committee approved as it required funding to help meet the cost of running children’s and youth art workshops. As it was not for a capital work or equipment, this application was successful.