Transgrid grants make a difference in local communities

Transgrid has provided grants under the latest round of its Community Partnerships Program to 57 community organisations in locations including Armidale, Barham, Bathurst, Deniliquin, Hay, Junee, Moulamein, Wagga Wagga, Wallerawang and Wentworth.

Executive General Manager of Major Projects Gordon Taylor said Transgrid is proud to invest in local communities where it operates.

“Transgrid has been a part of many local communities for decades with our 13,000km high-voltage transmission network spanning across NSW and the ACT,” Mr Taylor said.

“We are also forming meaningful relationships with communities where new transmission infrastructure is currently being planned or built to support Australia’s clean energy future.

“Transgrid is delighted to support these not-for-profit organisations to help make a positive difference to the lives of local residents by delivering much-needed community services, facilities, events and activities.

“We provided grants of up to $5,000 to a record 59 community groups earlier this year, bringing the total to 116 not-for-profit organisations benefiting from funding in 2023 alone.

“These organisations work hard day in, day out to make their communities a better place to live and we are proud to support their efforts.”

Funding has been allocated to initiatives which support clean energy, safety and wellbeing, education and the environment including:

• Australian Inland Botanical Gardens, Wentworth Shire – promotion and education to local schools, charities and businesses
• Bookham Bush Fire Brigade – a new mobile radio for volunteer firefighters
• Brucedale Rural Fire Brigade – equipment upgrades to its primary response vehicle
• Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council – supporting Indigenous youth participation in the Mighty Murray Marathon annual kayaking event
• Gunning & District Historical Society – new equipment to allow digitisation of local historical records and images
• Hay Aboriginal Medical Service – information sessions about health, mental health and safety in the community
• Junee Regenerative Landcare – screening of the Greenhouse by Joost film to raise awareness of self-sustainable and zero waste living
• Local Health Medical Trust – supporting Barham Health Hub dental services to the local community
• Moulamein Art Gallery – ‘recycle and repurpose’ furniture restoration training for community members
• South Wagga Public School P&C Association – yarning circle and cultural garden
• Tumorrama Rural Fire Brigade – driveway repairs to enable safe access to emergency equipment
• Wagga Mardi Gras – supporting the 2024 Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras Festival
• Wildcare – a new nest-box camera for monitoring fostered and injured wildlife at Murrumbateman.

Bookham Bush Fire Brigade received a grant to purchase a mobile radio so its captain, deputy captains and crew leaders can communicate with State and regional fire control centres during an incident.

“We have a large area to cover including the villages of Bookham and Burrinjuck and the Hume Highway,” Brigade Secretary/Treasurer Oliver Kimpton said.

“The radio allows us to keep in contact with our fire control rooms to co-ordinate our movements and ensure safety and adequate resources. We could even talk directly to aircraft via the radio if required.

“We have three of these mobile radios and the Transgrid funding has allowed us to buy a fourth radio. It is very difficult for our volunteers to raise additional funds so the Transgrid grant is really helpful.”

Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council received a grant to fund participation of 18 local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in the recent Mighty Murray Marathon annual kayaking event.

“This is a really good event that gives the kids culture through rivers, trees and the surrounding environment, with the participants stopping at regular check points over the five days,” Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Rose Dunn said.

“An adult community member or police officer accompanied each participant, assisting them to form positive connections to Country. The name given to the journey was `Marrang Tyema’ – in the Wamba Wamba language meaning to `find/discover’.

“The event helped to break down barriers with the NSW Police Force members and other service providers who participated and allowed the kids to make some good friendships with other participants.

“We had four canoes and they kayaked 415km in relay format over five days. They had a great time and even won the best team.”

Transgrid has provided a grant to the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens at Mourquong in the Wentworth Shire for promotional activities to raise the profile of the attraction and increase visitation.

The 50ha gardens include more than 20,000 plants, over 1,600 colour co-ordinated rose bushes and a 2,500-year-old gum tree – an icon of its ancient heritage.

“We are very keen to promote our unique community-owned gardens to schools, tourists and locals,” Australian Inland Botanic Gardens Board member and Wentworth Shire Councillor Jo Rodda said.

“It is really exciting to be supported by Transgrid in our desire to market the gardens to the broader community and beyond. We have 87 volunteers and only four paid staff and we really appreciate the support Transgrid has given to our community.”

A full list of grant recipients is available here. Organisations seeking Community Partnerships Program funding can apply for the next round in March 2024.

In addition to funding not-for-profit groups, Transgrid provides other enduring benefits to communities including jobs, skills development, educational opportunities, and support for local businesses.

Transgrid media contact: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136