Communities around the New England continue to benefit from the flow of funds from renewable developments and other big business providing much needed grants and donations to local groups and initiatives.
Applications are open now for the 2024 Community Enhancement Fund, an annual generous donation which is provided as a contribution to the Moree Plains Shire from the Moree Solar Farm. The annual sum of $25,000 is dispersed among a number of successful applicants.
“The $25,000 Community Enhancement Fund is a wonderful initiative as it provides financial support to the community through forging opportunities to contribute to improving the growth and liveability of our Shire,” Moree Plains Shire Council General Manager Kelvin Tytherleigh said.
In 2023 the funding was awarded to the Mungindi Rifle Club ($10,684.30) and the 339 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets Moree ($16,000), who presented innovative and impactful proposals.
339 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets Moree are soaring with their flying simulator as part of their ‘Reach for the Sky Project’. The project included the Cadets designing and purchasing materials to build a high-quality, fully functional flight simulator.
Representative from 339 Squadron, Flying Officer, Warwick Bedford remarked
“The flying simulator is a fantastic tool for the Cadets to practise and improve their piloting skills in a safe environment,” 339 Squadron Flying Officer Warwick Bedford said.
“They can experience different scenarios, practice manoeuvres, and develop their decision-making abilities.”
“This development of their pilot skills places the Cadets in good stead for flying a Diamond DA40 at their pilot training course at the Richmond RAAF”.
Individuals or groups wishing to apply for financial assistance are required to complete and submit a Community Enhancement Fund Application Form by no later than midnight Monday 22 July 2024 to enable the application to be considered. More information is available on Council’s website.
Applications are also open for the third round of Whitehaven sponsorships. Whitehaven have four rounds per year, with $50,000 available in each round. A community-based Committee has been established to administer the application rounds, which includes an Indigenous representative, as well as one community representative and one Council representative each from the Narrabri, Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains LGAs. Applications close 31 July for the current round; find out more at https://whitehavencoal.com.au/sponsorships/
The community grants programs benefiting Inverell from the Squadron Energy owned Sapphire Wind Farm, and the Uralla area from ACEN’s New England Solar, are also due to have their next round of grants open soon.
Top image: Some of the 339 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets in Moree with their flight simulator. (Supplied)
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