A little help makes a big difference

By Fiona Henderson

MORE than $300,000 has been distributed in Telstra Country Wide Ballarat Community Fund grants in less than four years.

So far, 76 projects have benefited from the money, distributed through The Ballarat Foundation.

GRANTS: Telstra Country Wide area general manager Bill Mundy, left, and The Ballarat Foundation chief executive officer Noel Trengove with Emma McGrath from Buninyong Primary School, which received a grant in the last round of funding. Picture: Lachlan Bence

Last week, another 11 groups received $33,335 in grants, including the Pinocchio Community Toy Library, the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation, Ballarat Tramway Museum, FlashDrive Beyond the Classroom, Ballarat Hospice Care Inc, Wendouree Primary School, Ballarat Roller Derby League, Ballarat National Theatre, Ballarat Foto Biennial, BEST Community Development/GPlace and Ballarat Cystic Fibrosis Incorporated.

The grants were given out at a function at GPlace, formerly the Golden Point Primary School.

Telstra Country Wide area general manager Bill Mundy said the fund supported Ballarat’s grassroots organisations. “Over $300,000 makes a big difference to what community organisations can achieve,” he said.

“It is a significant milestone for us and for the community.”

The Ballarat Foundation chief executive officer Noel Trengove said the grants supported a wide field of interests: health and community wellbeing, education, arts and humanities, sport and recreation and community development.

“We are proud of our relationship with Telstra Country Wide and the good work we are able to do,” Mr Trengove said.