Within the council chambers the foundation’s Peter Law, Phil McDonald, Debbie McGufficke and chairman Gary Potts were on hand to share around $75,000 to over 30 different community groups from Bermagui to Eden.

“I think in a regional area that these sorts of things are much more important than in the city,” Mr Potts said.

“There are a lot less organised activities in rural areas.”

Mr Potts said while in some cases the grants were under $1000, the funds were much needed by groups who donate their own time – and in many cases their own money – to projects.

“I think the whole scheme works very well and the feedback we got was excellent, people were impressed with the range of projects ready to go ahead,” he said.

“We would like to broaden our donor base for the future, but it is pretty hard work in the Bega Valley where the average wage is 30 per cent below the state average.

“We would love to be offering over $100,000.”

Ms McGufficke said the foundation sees itself as being able to fulfill the needs of small community groups.

“People give to us so you can give where you live,” she said.

“Groups come out of the woodwork each year so it’s good for raising the awareness of who’s out there.

“It’s a diverse area with diverse needs and interests.”

The foundation’s Chris Walters said the kudos should be reserved for the community groups themselves.

“They’re the ones that do the work so any help we can provide them we are more than happy to,” she said.

Organisations to receive grants included Bega Valley Potters, Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness, Bega Valley Public School P&C Association, Bega Valley Suicide Prevention Action Network, Bermagui Historical Society, Southern Women’s Group, Writers of the Far South Coast and Cobargo Preschool.

The preschool will be using the grant to construct an interactive, musical “sensory wall” in conjunction with Four Winds in Bermagui.