Recipients for the Waterloo Windfarm community grants program gathered for a community supper and presentation last week, highlighting the diversity of the community initiatives across the region.
The community grant program, which has been sponsored by Waterloo Windfarms for the past eight years, offers financial support to groups operating within the local community, to assist in the delivery of their services and specialised programs.
“We know that communities have a lot of hardships,” Waterloo Windfarms chief executive officer Darren Sexton said.
“Some don’t have money to have basic functions such as plumbing, or the ability to replace machinery when it fails. Others are providing valuable voluntary services, and we are able to provide the money to get these things running or to give them a boost.”
Mr Sexton said he really admired the local groups.
“The support groups that are here, and the work being done to make the communities stick together, which is something that’s getting harder as time goes on,” he said.
Recipients ranged from basic repair and upgrades to research funding into local lizard species, and support for bereaved parents.
Compassionate Friends SA president Karen O’Brien said every bit of funding made a difference to deliver services.
”We provide ongoing support to parents who have lost a child,” she said.
“We have no boundaries, and our hope is to let people know that we are there to help and that when they find us they can get the help they need to go on with life. It is a life changing event to lose a child, and providing ongoing support has expenses.”
Compassionate Friends provide monthly ongoing meetings, art therapy classes, and phone support amongst their broad range of services.
“It all costs money,” Mrs O’Brien said. “Every little bit we get helps us to keep going and support families that need it.”
Mr Sexton said the Windfarms tried to support community members in deciding what was worth funding.
“We like to empower the local community to make the decisions on where the grants go, and it’s very rare we knock anything back,” he said.
“This is one of the best parts of my job, to come and give money to those doing a great job. We know it’s been tough in these communities, we really value this grant.”
Waterloo Windfarms Community Grant Recipients 2023:
Mid North Theatre/Arts Group: SA-LGBTQIA+ Country Pride Feast – Burra $2000
The Compassionate Friends SA: IncCommunity Awareness of Grief Support $2983
Watervale Community Association Inc: New dishwasher for The Vale community space $4500
Saddleworth and Districts Historical Society Inc: Saddleworth Museum Signage $468
Manoora Centenary Park Inc: Underfloor plumbing for Manoora Wellness Centre $5000
WoTL (Women of the Land): Waterloo Womens Agri-Business Group $2379
MinMan Sporting Club (Mintaro Manoora Sporting Club Inc): Culture of Change through Sport $2100
Marrabel and District Community Hall: Marrabel Hall fencing and drainage renovations $5000
Saddleworth Bowling Club Inc: Defibrillator Cabinet $535.09
Auburn Community Development Committee – Memorial Place Sub-committee: Memorial Place – Landscaping and seating $4535
Friends of Burra Parks: Endoscope to establish presence of Flinders Ranges Worm Lizard $500
Total Funding: $30,000.09
