From specialist adult learn to swim classes to a Central Coast Festival of women, a program to promote job creation and Aboriginal cultural training as well as a kid’s try-athlon, an Ecoline ‘Bush Tucker Trail’ to the Central Coast’s Academy of Sport’s Annual Program, the latest recipients of Council’s grants and sponsorship program cover a diverse range of projects and groups on the Central Coast.

Council tonight awarded over 70 Central Coast based groups, clubs and organisations with more than $630,000 in funding through its sponsorship and grants programs.   

Council Mayor Jane Smith congratulated the latest round of grant recipients, not only on their successful applications but for the countless hours of work and innovation they put into their respective programs and events. 

“Council is pleased to be able to actively support great initiatives that really do improve the quality of lives of our growing community,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

“Looking through the list of recipients in this latest round of funding, the sheer breadth of projects and the people and groups in our community they cater for is amazing.

“We increased our funding this year and asked groups to think outside the square and come up with innovative projects and they have delivered. 

“This is a great opportunity to find out more about some of the wonderful programs our community are running, as well as playing a part in their success through the funding we provide.”

Council’s sponsorship program aims to improve the quality of life for residents by assisting initiatives, events and activities to go from an idea to reality and providing an economic return for the Central coast community. Projects funded in this round include an Ecoline ‘Bush Tucker Trail’, Girrakool Blues Festival in Kariong, Glenworth Valley Horses Festival, Central Coast Academy of Sport’s Annual Program and NSW Business Chamber Speaker’s Forum. 

Council consolidated its funding programs this year with key groups including the Gosford Race Club, Spencer Community Progress Association, Rotary Club of Wyong, Future Achievement Australia Foundation, Regional Youth Support Services Incorporated, Royal Life Saving NSW, CareFlight Limited and Developing Leaders Aboriginal Corporation all receiving funding for their vital community work.

The full list of sponsorship and grant recipients is available in the business papers for tonight’s Council meeting.

Round two for Council’s community grants and sponsorship program opens on 1 February 2018, details on how to apply can be found at centralcoast.nsw.nsw.gov.au/makeithappen