Sponsorship supports events

A marathon, sculpture event, mental health programs and Snowfest will receive Baw Baw Shire sponsorship grants.
Councillors endorsed funding of $56,630 to 13 community events at its recent council meeting.
Successful applicants in round two of the community sponsorship grants were mostly from Warragul, with Trafalgar, Drouin and Neerim South events also represented.
Funds will help cover venue and equipment hire fees, advertising costs, and first aid and traffic management requirements to stage the community events.
Gaining the maximum $5000 grant allocation were Combined Churches Warragul to stage its annual carols by candlelight; Warragul Lions Club for a district convention; Neerim District Progress Association for its 2024 sculpture event in Neerim South; The Creators Collective for a maker's market at Lardner Park; Hallora Marathon for its annual event in December; Trafalgar Holden Museum for its Route 69 event; Warragul Business Group for its Snowfest event; and Warragul Farmers' Market for its "Gippsland Farmers' Grazing Brunch".
Showing the value of investing in mental health, charity Mindfull Aus will receive $4240 to run its "Proactive Parents" community event at West Gippsland Arts Centre. The presentation will help caregivers identify when children may be experiencing mental ill health and how their own behaviours can affect a child's wellbeing.
In addition, Warragul and District Garden Club was granted $4380 for its "Well-Gardened Mind" presentation. The lecture for workers in the mental health field will detail the value of gardening and horticultural pursuits in recovery.
Completing the list, Warranor Junior Football Club was granted $3971 for its 60th year celebrations; U3A Baw Baw received $1669 for its annual Literary Lunch in Drouin to be held during Seniors' Week; and Gippsland Symphony Orchestra gained $2370 to run a three-day youth workshop and resulting concert.
An officer report stated an assessment panel of council officers made the funding recommendations. These recommendations were supported by council's executive leadership team.
It said 31 inquiries were made as part of the round two process, resulting in 13 applications.
All 13 applications were successful, although four events were recommended for partial funding after failing to meet quotation requirements.
The report said council had an annual budget of $300,000 to deliver its community development grant and community sponsorship programs.
Ahead of round two grants, council had $80,000 remaining from the 2022/23 budget. This had the $56,630 granted well within this allocation.
Cr Jazmin Tauru congratulated the successful community groups.
"It's certainly money going to very good causes that promote community connection," Cr Tauru said.
"I'd certainly encourage other community groups to make submissions in the first round of community grants coming up in early July," she said.
Cr Michael Leaney said the sponsorship grant program was one way council could support hardworking community groups.
"It covers everything from sporting events, like the Hallora Marathon, through to the arts," Cr Leaney said. "It's a great way we can actually support our community by providing events that people from all over can come and enjoy."
Noting the allocation of funds had not been exhausted, Cr Leaney's key message was "if you don't apply, you won't even be considered for a grant."