Natimuk and District Field and Game get set up with solar

Published on 02 July 2020

Natimuk and District Field and Game get set up with solar

Among the 68 organisations that recently received funds through Horsham Rural City Council’s Community Development Program, is Natimuk and District Field and Game Association who have been granted $8000 to go towards a new solar power set up.

The Community Development Program is an annual funding opportunity offering cash support to community organisations for special projects, improvements and initiatives. This year 70 per cent of applications were successful, sharing in a total of $201,436.

Natimuk and District Field and Game Association is located 10 kilometres North-West of Natimuk on Wyn Wyn Road. In this remote location, it currently relies on generators to power their club rooms.

However, with the funds from the Community Grant program, it can now install a new solar power set up, complete with panels and storage batteries.

This means that members of the 300-strong club won’t have to bring in ice to cool refreshments when out on site.

With the solar power set up including batteries, the club will also now have the capacity to run fridges and freezers full time, making management of canteen facilities more convenient.

Natimuk and District Field and Game Secretary Tom Hardman says for their off-grid location, “solar is the best option”.

Along with HRCC, the club has been supported by Natimuk Solar, which is donating over $10,000 worth of equipment to the project.

Just before COVID-19 put the group’s activities on hold, Natimuk and District Field and Game in conjunction with J&A Shooting Supplies hosted a large event, attracting shooters from across Australia, and a prize pool of $15,000.

As restrictions ease the group is keen to get back up and running, both with shooting days and working bees to get its solar set up installed.