Community groups across Broken Hill and Far West NSW have received a much-needed funding boost to support local initiatives and deliver lasting social benefits with improved services, facilities, events and activities.
Community
Funding boost for community initiatives across Far West NSW
07 February 2025
The grants are part of Transgrid’s commitment to provide $500,000 for community organisations in areas impacted by the power outage following October’s extreme weather event.
Forty-four not-for-profit groups have received grants of up to $10,000 under the first round of the Broken Hill and Far West NSW Community Partnerships Program.
Transgrid Executive General Manager for Stakeholder, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Maryanne Graham said: “Not-for-profit organisations are the lifeblood of Far West NSW, and we’re proud to fund a range of important initiatives which will leave a lasting social legacy for communities across the region.
“We were overwhelmed by the outstanding quality of applications from community groups across Far West NSW and due to the high level of interest, we increased the first round of funding by $100,000 so we could fund more initiatives sooner.
“These grants will fund a range of projects, activities and facilities upgrades that are designed to support volunteers and community groups to make a positive difference and provide tangible and lasting benefits to regional communities well beyond the recovery period.”
The recipients in Round One of the program include:
- Baaka Cultural Centre (Wilcannia Aboriginal Corporation)
- Broken Hill Community Incorporated
- Broken Hill Soccer Association
- Country Women's Association of NSW Tibooburra Branch
- Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation
- NSW Rural Fire Service - Menindee Headquarters Brigade
- PCYC Broken Hill
- RSPCA NSW
- Silverlea Employment and Training Service Inc.; and
- Tourist Association White Cliffs.
Broken Hill Community Incorporated received a grant to install new kitchen stoves at the Broken Hill Centre for Community that hosts public and private functions.
The group’s Vice President Janet Siddall said: “Previously, people had to bring food in, but the new stoves will allow us to hire out the entire venue and people can prepare hot food on site for functions.
“All our work here is done by volunteers, so this is a huge help and means our space becomes more useable and it will give us more variety for functions and will be an asset for the entire community.”
Emergency services will receive a boost including the Menindee RFS Headquarters Brigade.
Brigade Secretary Rob Woods said: “We’ll use this funding to purchase UHF radios so we can stay in contact with other local emergency services during major incidents and this will fill a critical gap in communications and keep people safe during major incidents when we may not have mobile coverage.
“It would take us a long time to fundraise the amount needed to buy this equipment and we are very grateful for this support from Transgrid.”
Local sporting groups are also among the recipients including the Broken Hill Soccer Association which has received a grant to help fund a new BBQ area at the local soccer grounds.
Association Business Manager Anita Hoysted said: “We have four clubs in Broken Hill with around 500 kids playing, but we currently don’t have any club rooms for them to use. The Transgrid grant will help fund a new BBQ and undercover seating area.
“It will give players somewhere to gather after games to sit down and share a meal together. It will be a massive improvement to the grounds which are also used by many other groups including local schools.”
Applications for a second round of grants will open shortly, with more than $200,000 on offer for community groups in Broken Hill and Far West NSW.
Media enquiries: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136