Quick Win Rural Access Grants announced

Published on 16 July 2018

Fourteen Wimmera community groups have received funding through the Rural Access Quick Win Grants Scheme. 

The grants help support the inclusion of people of all abilities throughout the Wimmera community.

Not-for-profit community groups were eligible to apply for projects that had a direct benefit to residents of one of the four municipalities of the Wimmera region: Horsham, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

Horsham Rural City Council Director Community Services Kevin O’Brien said there was a positive response from the community.

“There are so many great projects that people are working on in the community that unfortunately not all the groups were successful with their application,” Mr O’Brien said.  

“We encourage groups to apply for other grants in the future especially through the Wimmera Councils grant programs.”

Funded projects range from supporting attendance at the Tri State Games to supporting an inter-generational playgroup through to fitting sidesteps on buses to enable everyone to be able to attend events and safely get on and off community buses. 

“The main aim of the grant was to increase the inclusion of people of all abilities within the community and improves accessibility for everyone,” Mr O’Brien said.

The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Rural Access is a partnership initiative between the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and Local Government. 

Successful community groups:

1. Horsham Table Tennis Association - upgrading of sporting equipment

2.  Dimboola Outdoor Mens Shed - improving access to the shed

3.  Horsham Riding for Disabled (RDA) - modifying the carriage to improve wheelchair access

4.  Horsham Motor Cycle Club - creating a spectator area/hub to support special needs persons

5.  Horsham Aquatic Centre YMCA - Access Swimming and Water Therapy Program

6.  Woodbine Warracknabeal - fitting electrical side steps and handrails to buses

7.  Wimmera Mobility Group - support of Wimmera Mobility Group meetings/activities

8.  Wimmera Hearing Society - supporting the hearing screens to the General public project

9.  Nhill Bowls Club -improve access to the bowling greens

10.  Nhill and District Sporting Club Hockey Division - purchase of hockey goals

11.  Natimuk Nursing Home - Natimuk Intergenerational Playgroup

12.  Minyip Senior Citizens - Line dancing for beginners group

13. Horsham Urban Landcare group - All accessible disability garden

14. West Wimmera Health Service Cooinda Kookaburras - support participation in Tri State Games