Monitor The
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Volume 7, Wednesday November 3, 2010
No takers for
GRANTS! By Celeste Lustosa
In an active town such as Roxby Downs, with numerous community based groups, clubs and events happening all over the year, the launch of the Roxby Downs Community Foundation came as a blessing. But amazingly enough, after its launch on September 1, the Foundation hasn’t received any application for grants. The Foundation aims to support the long term development of Roxby Downs as a community. This will be achieved by providing financial support towards community projects and initiatives that will inturn provide community benefits over a long term period. Big Sky made an initial donation of $25,000 (10% of post tax profit) which hopefully over time will involve financial contributions from other local businesses to help top up its capital base. The criteria that the Foundation will operate under is simple: applications for grants are invited from organisations within the community that have a broad reach and appeal and can demonstrate sound management and excellence in their activities. Current funding areas of interest are projects and activities that focus on: financial literacy, conservation, environment and heritage, cultural development and the arts; health and welfare (all ages); community infrastructure; sports programs and education. The Foundation is also focused on providing funding to projects and initiatives that have potential to provide demonstratable community benefits over the long term. According to the Foundation Chairperson Michelle Hales, the application period has been extended to November 22nd, 2010. “Community groups often struggle to get funding for their projects and have to rely on their own fundraising. Government grants are not always available when they are needed and community groups have to compete with other organisations across the State or country. This is a perfect opportunity to apply for local fund-
ing. All funds in the Community Foundation have been donated by local companies and this is their way of contributing back to the community,” Chairperson Michelle Hales said. Community groups have an opportunity to get funding for worthwhile projects and the application process is easy. “Even if you are not sure about eligibility I’d encourage you to still apply. The Foundation Board will convene and discuss the merits of each application and as the old saying goes – “You have to be in to win it,”Ms Hales said. She also said each application is considered on a case by case basis and there is no set dollar figure. “If you are unsure if your organisation and/or proposal falls within the Community Foundations current funding guidelines and criteria, we strongly recommend you contact the Community Foundation to discuss your project,” Ms Hales added. She also explained that previous successful and unsuccessful applicants can reapply for Grants. Please note that the Community Foundation is not a charitable foundation and therefore can accept grants for organisations that are not endorsed as a ‘Deductible Gift Recipient’. Please contact the Australian Tax Office if you are unsure of your organisation’s status. The Community Foundation will consider all proposals that meet its guidelines to determine whether a project fits its current program interests and funding considerations. All applications will be receipted on submission and subsequently notified of their status once the committee have made a decision on the community foundations grants for the six month period. So, if your community group or club has some great ideas for the community and all you need is money to make it happen, The Roxby Downs Community Foundation was established to give you this financial support. For more information, contact Michelle Hales on 0418 833 818.
Charm up your life Roxby Hourglass Jewellers Manufacturers of Fine Jewellery
Scary stuff! Halloween is an annual holiday observed on October 31, but it came the night before in Roxby when local couple Craig and Sandy Sumsion celebrated their joint 50th birthdays. Primarily Halloween is celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States but is now starting to become a part of Australian celebrations. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day, but is today largely a secular celebration.
Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, carving jacko’-lanterns, ghost tours, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, committing pranks, telling ghost stories or other frightening tales, and watching horror films. Our picture shows Teresa Baddeley really dressing to scare at Saturday night’s birthday celebrations.
Rebel at heart Richardson Place - Roxby Downs
8671 0662