It was one of 12 Get Active Indigo Grants 2026, totalling $30,000, decided at Indigo Shire Council’s latest monthly meeting on May 19.
Glenview Health will also receive a grant of $4,800 for its project, ‘Get Stronger with Outdoor Fitness Equipment Classes’.
Rutherglen Social Sports will be the beneficiary of $4,700 for building cross-generational participation in sports programs.
Rutherglen Lawn Tennis Club will receive $900 for its Cardio Tennis Hits program.
Chiltern Tennis Club will receive $1,500 to kickstart summer tennis.
Chiltern Football Netball Club will purchase more gear with a $1,000 grant.
Beechworth featured with three grants: The Beechworth Chain Gang topping the amounts with $5,000 for the MTB Mark Pump Track; Beechworth Croquet Club receiving $3,700 for croquet hoops and timber board replacements; and Beechworth Golf Club’s Swing Into Golf: Come and Try Day receiving $700.
Stanley Recreation Reserve’s Let’s Play Tennis Program will receive $2,200.
Yackandandah Football & Netball Club will receive $1,000 for junior netball’s Net Set Go.
Community barefoot bowls at Kiewa Valley Bowling will benefit from a $500 grant.
“It’s a relatively small amount of money, but really important,” Cr Diane Shepheard said.
“It helps communities achieve outcomes they may not otherwise have been able to fund. It’s a great outcome and I look forward to hearing feedback. It’s fantastic. It’s quite an active Indigo Shire.”
Cr Greg Bourke said it was “one of the great things we’re able to do” in providing assistance to community-based organisations.
Cr Roberta Horne said she was very supportive of such programs, which provide exercise and socialising close to home.
The grants were recommended by an independent assessment panel.
“I chaired the final meeting,” Cr John Harvey said.
“Everything was free, fair and above board. Some members declared pecuniary interests.”
Deputy mayor Jane Dowsley, however, expressed concern at the governance of the scheme and voted, as the sole councillor, against the recommendation for the 12 community grants.
Mayor Sophie Price said she could not fault the 12 selected community groups recommended by the independent assessment panel to receive grants.
If there was a concern about governance, it would have to have been the process.
“Can we improve the process? We always can,” the mayor added.
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