Monday, 29 October 2007

Sykes: Country action grant scheme for 2008

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, encourages all sporting clubs and organisations throughout the Benalla Electorate to apply for funding through the 2008 Country Action Grant Scheme.

Dr Sykes said this Sport & Recreation Victoria round of funding is to be distributed in grants of up to $5,000 and aims to increase the capacity of sport and active recreation organisations in regional and rural Victoria.

Country Action Grant Scheme Grants are available in 2008 and include funding for:

Improving Organisations –

Initiatives to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of organisations or to establish a new organisation.

Examples include:

• preparation of a business plan;

• development of policy and procedure manual(s);

• development of a club or organisation website;

• incorporation of a new organisation.

Enhancing Skills –

Initiatives to improve the skills of club members through providing training for coaches and officials, administrative staff and management committee members (funding is not available for training courses to enhance the physical skills of participants).

Examples include:

• participation in courses (coaching or umpiring accreditation, first aid etc);

• workshops for club administrators and committee members in financial management, governance, or information technology.

Including Everyone –

Initiatives to increase community participation by providing accessible sport and active recreation opportunities. Priority will be given to projects involving people with disabilities, women, indigenous people, school-aged children, culturally and linguistically diverse people and older adults.

Examples include:

• Social morning sessions of a sport or active recreation activity for older adults or young mothers;

• Promotional materials such as Koori-specific club information fliers or information in other languages;

• Partnerships between local sports clubs and health centres to offer programs to people or Access for All Abilities providers to offer programs to people of all abilities.

Projects are to be undertaken during the 2008 calendar year.

Applications for the 2008 round of the Country Action Grant Scheme will be considered in two assessment phases.

Phase 1

Project commencement date 1 January 2008 – 30 June 2008 Applications open phase 1 - 24 October 2007 – close 30 November 2007

Phase 2

Project commencement date 1 July 2008 – 31 December 2008 Applications open phase 2 -1 December 2007 – close 11 April 2008

Applications can be lodged on-line, via email, fax or post with applications being received by Friday, 30 November considered during the first assessment phase. Subsequent applications received by Friday, 11 April 2008 will be considered for the second assessment phase.

For further detail call the grant information line at The Department of Planning and Community Development (DCPD) free call 1300 366 356 or via their web site on www.dvc.vic.gov.au/grants or contact Peta Clark at Bill Sykes’ office
ph: 5762 2100.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989