There were 38 community groups, the largest group yet, who on Thursday, August 8 were recipients of the Club Grants, Category 1 scheme.
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The grants totalling $101,000 were donated by Club Sapphire Merimbula, Club Bega, the Merimbula RSL Club, Bermagui Country Club and Eden Fishermen's Club and in welcoming everyone to the event, CEO of Club Sapphire Damien Foley said he was proud to be involved.
Mayor Kristy McBain said that clubs "really do play an important part in our community" and added that Club Grants played an important part in giving back to the community, going to community groups right across the shire.
Grant recipient Bermagui Men's Shed president Phil Baldwin spoke about the men's health checks they had run.
"Men are notorious for not going to the doctors. A man will readily service his car but not himself," he said.
"At one of the Bermagui Men's Shed health checks 34 men attended and as a result one was sent to Bega Hospital immediately with a serious health problem," he said.
This year Bermagui Men's Shed will be putting its grant towards tools and equipment.
Wendy Hunter from the Southern Women's Group which runs the Women's Resource Centre said she had witnessed first hand how much the grants mean.
"Women come to us for a variety of reasons, because they are experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, homelessness, in need of food or to use the computers," Ms Hunter said.
She said the centre helped women weave their way through what was sometimes a maze to get help. The grant would be used on women's health workshops.
Artistic co-director at fLing Gabrielle Rose talked about their upcoming performance 'My Black Dog' opening next week and how the grant funding will allow students to see the performance for free.
"It's about exploring and supporting youth mental health and we're trying to bring tricky issues on to the floor at the Bega Pavillion," she said.
In closing the presentation, the role of clubs was highlighted by Mr Foley who said that the five clubs involved employed 300 employees across the shire and paid $14m in wages and staff benefits every year.
Presentation Group 1
Bega Valley Shire Council Eden Early Learning Centre - Educating children in sustainable practices including Aboriginal traditions, culture and history
Bega Valley Suicide Prevention Action Network - Strengthen Postvention (after suicide) support for people impacted by suicide
Bowelcare Australia - Annual screening kits for the Bega Valley Shire
Eden Chamber of Commerce Inc - Eden fitness trail outdoor gym equipment
Eden Whale Festival Inc - Kites in the community
Marine Rescue NSW Bermagui - Unit Purchase of Personal Locator beacons
Merimbula Basketball Association - Scoring equipment to improve game flow and enjoyment
Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd Far South Coast Club - Mod Box Program - Eden
Quaama Mens Shed Inc - Mandatory equipment for the Men's Shed extension
Road Safety Education Limited - RYDA road safety education program
The Disability Trust - Furniture and equipment to facilitate the creation of a functional, warm and welcoming space for group activities
Thaua Country Aboriginal Corporation - Printing equipment for clothing designs featuring traditional language
Bega Valley Bridge Club - Equipment for regular bridge games
Presentation Group 2
Country Womens Association of NSW Bega - Branch Floor covering to improve facilities for community use
Bega Men's Shed Inc - Recycling + Reusing = Bega Men's Shed
Bega Senior Citizens - Social functions for seniors
Bega Valley Archers Inc - Construction to provide storage for club gear
Bega Valley Evening VIEW Club - Sound equipment for guest speakers and events
Bega Valley Regional Gallery - Dream States art based project supporting artists with disabilities
Bemboka Sports, Social and Recreation Club Inc - Work benches and storage racks to allow the Men's shed to become operational
Far South Coast Family Support Services - Just for mums and carers - weekly facilitated support group
fLiNG Physical Theatre Inc. - My black dog
Southern Womens Group Inc - Womens Resource Centre Workshops improving the health of women in the Bega Valley
St Vincent de Paul Society Bega - Christmas Hampers
Country Women's Association Cobargo Branch - Replacement of equipment to meet increased community catering responsibilities
Presentation Group 3
1st Cobargo Scout Group - New Bus project
Bega Valley Genealogy Society Inc. - Audio visual equipment for family history education program
Bega Valley Shire Library Intergenerational Playgroup - Continuation of Bega Valley Intergenerational Playroom community program
Bermagui & District Lions Club Inc - Defibrillator for Quaama Post Office
Bermagui & District Seniors Social Club - Social outings for Seniors
Bermagui Men's Shed Inc - Tools and equipment for Men's Shed
Cobargo School of Arts Hall Committee - Fixing path to avoid injuries and provide access to disabled
Evans Park Sporting Complex Inc. - Installation of park furniture for recreational purposes
Merimbula & District Garden Club - Sound equipment to help share gardening knowledge
Pambula Preschool - Outdoor equipment to encourage physical movement
Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast - Crisis Accommodation
St Vincent De Paul Society Merimbula - Christmas hampers and support for those most vulnerable and under financial stress
Wolumla Tigers Football Club - Life saving medical equipment