The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, Bairnsdale Little Athletics Club, Bairnsdale Boxing Club, Sale Bowls Club and the Lindenow South Football Netball Club are the latest recipients of a total of $10,000 in community grants from Gippsland Critical Minerals (GCM).
GCM’s Community Grants program provides $10,000 in grants each quarter to support projects and initiatives with a focus on local educational, recreational, environmental, and social initiatives.
“We have amazing people running our local community organisations, and GCM’s grants program helps them access the funding they need to run community programs and keep their facilities up to date,” GCM’s Janet Robertson said.
“For the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, one of our key regional tourism drawcards for walking, biking and riding, the grant will help with important maintenance focussed on the control of noxious weeds and invasive pests.
“We also know how important sport is for building social connections and maintaining well- being for people of all ages.
“This round of grants will support equipment upgrades for the Bairnsdale Little Athletics Club, and at the Bairnsdale Boxing Club, it will support the Kick Start Confidence program where Mixed Martial Arts are being used to help build confidence and purpose for young people.
“We also know how important basic maintenance is at our community sports clubs. The grants will help replace seven aging scoreboards on the centre green at the Sale Community Bowls Club, while at the Lindenow South Football Netball Club, the funds will purchase a fire pit at the Recreation Ground prior to the 2025 playing season.
“GCM is working hard to build links and engage local community members while we continue to examine the Fingerboards Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Project. Our community grants program is a small way for us to give back to the local community and support the important work of local organisations.”
Applications for GCM’s next round of community grants open on January 27 and close on February 28. Not-for-profit sporting, recreational and community organisations across the East Gippsland and Wellington Council areas are eligible to apply.
Eligibility criteria and online applications are available via the Gippsland Critical Minerals website.
