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The Moorabool News – 22 February, 2022 Page 7
Tee-rific partnership building bridges By Lachlan Ellis A local golf club is ‘swinging’ a wind farm’s praises, after more than $50,000 was donated for five bridges on the course. Under Round 2 of the Moorabool Wind Farm’s Community Fund, the Ballan Golf Club received $53,000 for five bridges across the river, upgrading the flimsy bridges it had before. Vice President of the Club, Barry Sims, said the pedestrian bridges would serve not just club members, but the whole Ballan community. “All we had before these new bridges were the wooden one’s underneath, they’re pretty dangerous. We’ve been wanting new bridges for years and years, so thank goodness for the Wind Farm,” Mr Sims told the Moorabool News. “We have some just for the carts, and then two we can drive the tractor over. And of course, the general public use them every morning walking their dogs. They’re for the community as well. “I’ve been here for 45 years, and until the Wind Farm and the Ballan Community Bank came along, no one got anything. The contribution by those two groups has been incredible,” he said. Helen Kennedy is the Community Engagement Manager at Goldwind Australia, which owns and operates the Moorabool Wind Farm. She said she was proud to see money pumped back into the community via projects such as the bridges. “It’s fantastic, this is exactly what the Community Fund is all about – trying to help as many groups locally for as long as possible. This particular project is a great example, because it’s helping the Golf Club and, more widely, members of the general community,” Ms Kennedy said. “It’s fantastic to see it come to fruition, and we hope we can help many more projects like this over the remainder of the life of the Wind Farm.” Funding is being provided to the Ballan Golf Club over two years, with 60 per cent of the $53,000 sum granted in the first
BRIDGING THE GAP (L-R) Helen Kennedy with Ballan Golf Club members Barry, Jim, Chris, Barry and John. Photo – Helen Tatchell
year, and 40 per cent in the second year. Since the Community Fund began development five and a half years ago, close to $500,000 has been contributed locally by Goldwind. “And that will continue every year going forward,” Ms Kennedy added. Round 2 of the Moorabool Wind Farm Community Fund
also provided funding to Mount Egerton Fire Brigade, Ballan Recreation Reserve, Ballan Stationeers, Ballark and District Gun Club, Gordon Public Park Reserve, the Moorabool Landcare Network, and Meredith Community Centre. Round 3 applications for the Community Fund open in May 2022. For more information, visit www.mooraboolwindfarm. com/community.