BATHURST’S community groups received a welcome boost on Thursday when more than $25,000 was donated to 13 local groups.
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Individual donations ranged form $220 to $5000, and were provided under Bathurst Regional Council’s Section 356 annual donation program.
Funds received will go to a range of areas including cultural, sporting, historical, agricultural and community programs and events that will be held throughout the year.
Paul Hennessy from the 3rd Bathurst (All Saints’ Cathedral) Scout Group was among those at Bathurst Regional Council chambers to accept a donation.
“Running the hall is very expensive so any cost we can get helps benefit the members,” he said.
Mr Hennessy said the $220 donation they received will be spent on pest control in the scout’s hall.
Evans Art Council’s Wendy-lou Tisdell accepted a cheque for $2580 from mayor Gary Rush during Thursday’s morning tea.
Funds will go towards the council’s free art workshops for the community.
“In some of our new workshops we’ll be teaching tatting [lace making], silk painting, felting and DNA workshops,” Ms Tisdell said.
The recently-formed Peel Residents Association received a cheque for $500.
Resident Stephen Champion accepted the donation said it will be well used in the association’s inaugural year of operation.
“We formed to bind the community, there are a lot of things that happen withing the community, but not everyone knows about them,” he said.
Mayor Gary Rush presented the donations and thanked the groups for making such a significant contribution to the community through a wide range of areas.
“I know of no other [location] with a sense of community like Bathurst,” he said.
Other groups to receive funding included the Macquarie Philarmonia ($2500), Sofala and District Agriculture and Horticulture Association ($350), Sofala Progress Association ($2000), Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre ($800), Bathurst City RSL Band Association ($5000), Bathurst Refugee Support Group ($3000), Bathurst Seymour Centre ($2500), Miss Traill’s House and Garden ($2609), Bathurst Chamber Orchestra ($2500) and the Bathurst Filipino Australian Community ($600).