Grant success provides import boost to regional NSW club
Clubs around the country are encouraged to dream big when it comes to grant applications, with the recent success from a regional NSW club serving as another positive case study.
Millthorpe Bowling Club, south of Orange and west of Bathurst in regional NSW, received more than $200,000 in grant funding earlier this year from Blayney Shire Council.
The club will use the funds for a variety of upgrades and new projects, including the construction of a disability-access carpark, a lighting upgrade for the access to the club, demolition of an asbestos shed and disability-access toilets just to name a few.
Bowls Australia Regional Bowls Manager for the Riverina & Southern NSW David Inglis said the grant success is part of a hopeful journey forward after some tough times for the club.
“It’s just a small club between Bathurst and Orange. They were struggling a little bit and liked some help so I visited to see what I could do,” he said.
Inglis made contact with the club to assess where they stood, and see what assistance he could offer in his role as their RBM in the region.
“I spent a few hours with some of their committee, and it went really well,” he said.
“They were saying if things don’t improve, the club’s future could be in danger.”
From those conversations, Inglis was able to connect Millthorpe with the Bowls NSW club advisory board, who provided more in-depth guidance.
The grant success followed soon after, which Inglis is hopeful can make a positive impact.
“I can’t say they got the funding because they met with me, but I hope that some of those conversations put the seed in their mind to get out there and see what was available to keep the club moving along,” he said.
“It’s exciting to see them with some great plans for the grant money. I look forward to keeping in contact with them over time and seeing them grow.
