Ward grants are quickly replaced Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au GROUPS and individuals will still be able to apply to Kingston Council for money quickly needed for projects providing benefit to the community. Councillors at a public council meeting in November backed a new Quick Response Grants method of making “time sensitive” funds available to community organisations or people who need money urgently for small projects of up to $2000 per year. The new grants will replace the council ward grants system that allowed councillors to hand out ratepayers’ money to groups, sports clubs and individuals. The Labor state government axed council ward grants last year (‘Ward grants finally axed’, The News 11/11/15). A Local Government Inspectorate investigation in 2013 found just four councils out of 32 across the state who allowed councillors to dish out discretionary ward funds had appropriate measures in place to stop potential misuse of ward grants. The previous Coalition state government had begun steps to axe councillor ward grants across Victoria before losing office at last year’s state election. Kingston councillors previously
could distribute up to $6000 each annually to causes deemed worthy before the state government banned ward grants late last year. Kingston was named as one of several councils in the LGI report “where the administration of a council’s councillors’ discretionary funds program may give rise to serious breaches of the [Local Government] Act”. Under the new Quick Response Grants program council officers will now ultimately oversee and decide whether a community project is suitable for funding courtesy of ratepayers. Quick Response grants will not be able to be used for “activities or events that promote political party views”. “These vital funds will be well utilised, I’m sure,” Cr Paul Peulich said at the council meeting. “It’s probably an evolution of what we’ve already got with extra oversight from governance.” The maximum amount that can be awarded to any one applicant in a financial year is $2,000. See kingston.vic.gov.au for Quick Response Grants application criteria or call Kingston Council’s governance team on 9581 4699 for further information.
Staying afloat: Sunday, left, Sarena and Pulbuoy are learning to swim under the watchful eyes of VICSWIM instructor Mikaela at the The Pines Forest Aquatic Centre in Frankston North. Picture: Gary Sissons
Water safety breaks cultural barriers CHILDREN from non-English-speaking backgrounds statistically have a higher risk of drowning, and are more at risk in the water, than others in the community. So, a series of learn-to-swim programs for Sudanese youngsters in Kingston this week are especially relevant at this time of year. Don Tatnell Leisure Centre, Parkdale, and Waves, Highett, are two of 130 venues hosting VICSWIM’s Summer Kidz program, in partnership with migrant support agency The New Hope Foundation. They aim to teach 22 Sudanese youngsters how to experience the joys of swimming confidently and safely – something their born-and-bred Aussie school mates usually take for granted. Aquatics and Recreation Victoria CEO Anthony McIntosh said VICSWIM programs assisted children from
multicultural backgrounds “to develop the confidence to fully participate in Australian life”. “The need for programs like this is as critical as ever in reducing fatal and non-fatal drowning incidences in Victoria,” he said. “We’re excited that these Sudanese families recognise the importance of gaining swimming and water safety skills. Not many Sudanese families will have grown up around water and may not be familiar with the dangers. “Ideally, they will gain a lot of confidence from the program, put their parents at ease, and show off to their friends. It can really help these families fully participate in aquatic recreation, which is a really important part of Australian culture and lifestyle.”
AUSTRALIA DAY SALE
25OFF %
STOREWIDE*
Ends Tues 26th Jan!
MASSIVE STOREWIDE SAVINGS!
shop IN STORE or ONLINE
ON ALL FURNITURE & HOMEWARES
AMAZON stool in mint
WAS
$179
$134
NOW
COMPTON
3 seater sofa in bendigo fabric WAS
$1799
$1349
NOW
CANTINA
140w buffet in rustic elm WAS SUPER SAVER
$1899
$1249
SANTORINI
3 seater sofa in linen fabric WAS
$3399
$2549
NOW
BROOKS
226w entertainment unit in Victorian ash WAS
$1899
$1424
NOW
www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au
25% off storewide & online (seleced furniutre*) aavailable on all new orders of furniture and homewares from 19-01-2016 till 26-01-2016 inclusive. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer including Super Savers. Terms and conditions apply visit www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au for further information
OZ DESIGN FURNITURE MORNINGTON PH: 8560 1137, SHOWROOM D4, PENINSULA HOME, 1128-1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY VIC LOCATIONS: BENDIGO 8692 2589, NEW STORE! ESSENDON 8560 1130, GEELONG 8560 1124, HOPPERS CROSSING 8560 1141, MORNINGTON 8560 1137, NORTHLAND 9471 0244, NUNAWADING 9894 1566, RICHMOND 8560 1120 Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 20 January 2016
PAGE 5