Grants 2016

Community Group keeps on giving

Bendigo Telco, Bendigo Bank and the Deniliquin Community Group hosted the 2016 Deniliquin Community Investment Night on Tuesday.

Ten local community groups were awarded much needed funds, with almost $30,000 divided between them.

Bendigo Bank and the Deniliquin Community Group have been supporting local organisations for the last eight years, with $450,000 handed out in that time.

DCG chairman Tony Kew said these donations only happen through the community supporting Bendigo Telco and Bendigo Bank.

‘‘We want community groups to get involved in the Deniliquin Community Group to keep this support of local organisations going,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s up to community groups in Deni to support Telco and Bendigo Bank through using their services, so we can continue to donate to local organisations,’’ he said.

Community groups that received funding this year included the Country Women’s Association, Deniliquin & District Cricket Association, Deniliquin & District Historical Society, Deniliquin Genealogy Society Inc, Deniliquin Girl Guides, Deniliquin North School P&C, Deniliquin Outdoor Pools Inc, Deniliquin District Veteran & Vintage Car Club and the P&A Society of Deniliquin.

New shed to help school store

Where once there was one shed, now there are two.

With support from its Student Representative Council and the Bendigo Bank Community Group, Deniliquin North Public school now has a much-needed storage shed.

Principal Chris Hogan said the new shed has helped ease major storage problems and he thanked those who made it possible.

New scores on board at Deni Sports Stadium

After 35 years of loyal service, the electronic scoreboards at the Deniliquin Sports Stadium finally retired themselves from the game.

A crucial piece of equipment for all sports at the stadium, replacements were needed urgently.

Stadium manager John Arthur said there was no real possibility of replacing the scoreboards without some kind of outside funding.

That’s where the Deniliquin Community Group Inc stepped in, with just under $5000 donated to the stadium.

‘‘The Deniliquin Community Group has been donating to us since 2007 and without their donation this year we just wouldn’t have been able to afford new scoreboards,’’ Mr Arthur said.

‘‘Working scoreboards are essential to how each sport runs at the stadium.’’

Making the purchase even more special, local company Exclusive Software coded the scoreboard system using LED HD television screens linked to the internet.

Company CEO Mathew Crothers was the head of the design operation.

‘‘It’s a complete custom designed system,’’ he said.

‘‘The scoreboards not only show the score but relay sponsorship messages, give live scores remotely to people via the web, show time elapsed in the game, and we are in the process of making plans to display team ladders, individual scores and integrating with social media.

‘‘Anyone at the stadium can connect on their own devices to see scores and information as the whole system is internet enabled,’’ Mr Crothers explained.

The scoreboards will benefit the 500 stadium users and already in use.

‘‘The day of the old scoreboards are over. I have no doubt that other stadiums will be wanting what we’ve now got,’’ Mr Arthur said.

Funds provided under the Deniliquin Community Group scheme are earned from bank accounts linked to the DCG at the Bendigo Bank.

Big field makes a splash at carnival

A massive field of 130 swimmers competed at the Deniliquin Swimming Club’s annual carnival on Saturday.

Windy conditions did not deter the talented swimmers from Deniliquin, Finely, Hay, Griffith, Leeton, Narrandera, Swan Hill, West Wyalong and Barellan.

The carnival was also a chance to showcase Deniliquin’s new semi-automatic timing system.

A Deniliquin Community Group grant of $4700 assisted the club with purchasing the $12,500 system.

Bendigo Bank provides the funds through its community banking scheme to the DCG, which then decides which groups receive the grants via an application process.

Banking scheme helps pay for vital pool safety project

Patrons using the Deniliquin Swim Centre this season can now feel much safer, with a defibrillator provided for the hydrotherapy pool.

The system was purchased thanks to a ‘‘generous donation’’ from the Deniliquin Community Group.

A $2100 grant was awarded to the swim centre after a submission from Deniliquin Heated Pools Inc, which manages the hydrotherapy pool.

Deniliquin Swim Centre manager Katrina Ives thanked the DCG for its countless hours of volunteer work and encouraged people to consider using both the Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Telco.

‘‘The defibrillator unit was identified as a high priority project, and will help improve patron safety,’’ she said.

‘‘The grant was only made possible due to commissions earned from the Bendigo Bank.

‘‘The more business the Deniliquin Community Group can generate through the bank, the more money available for other local groups.’’

Bendigo Bank provides the funds through its community banking scheme to the DCG, which then decides which groups receive the grants via an application process.

The money is generated by commissions earned on Bendigo Bank accounts linked to the DCG, at no cost to the customer.

Playgroup funds in action

Deniliquin Playgroup Association is now prepared for the busy season ahead with brand new facilities and equipment.

A $10,000 grant received in June this year through the Deniliquin Community Group in conjunction with Bendigo Bank have been put in to action at the Whitelock St playgroup site.

Funding was used to purchase child-sized tables and chairs, construct a concrete slab for a storage shed, build a bike track and erect poles for a shade sail.

Playgroup coordinator Lauren Kelly said the group was thrilled with the results of ‘project rebuild playgroup’.

‘‘The bike track is a huge success and the tables and chairs are working very well,’’ she said.

‘‘The shed is useful for storage and the shade sails will be invaluable in coming months.

‘‘We are also very excited that we have a new group of 13 families starting in term four so we can really maximise the use of our fantastic new facilities.’’

A total of almost $400,000 has been donated to Deniliquin organisations and community groups since the DCG’s formation in October 2007.

Grants are provided by Bendigo Bank through its community banking scheme to the DCG, which then decides which groups receive the grants through an application process.

Commissions earned on Bendigo Bank accounts linked to the DCG are donated to the group at no cost to the customer.

Grand project for Deniliquin Rams

Club supporters can enjoy home matches in style with the Deniliquin Rams Football and Netball Club repairing their grandstand and seating at the Hardinge St oval.

The Rams received a grant of $25,000 through the Deniliquin Community Group in September last year, as part of the fifth round of grants to be dispersed into the Deniliquin community.

Rams treasurer Sue Morris said the grandstand area had been repaired and painted, while concrete had been extended around the stand and other spectator areas.

"The area has been gratefully welcomed and appreciated by all club members, spectators and visitors to our club," she said.

"We intend to use the remainder of the grant to install additional steel framework on the grandstand to accommodate extra sponsor advertising signs."

The Hardinge St oval facilities are also utilised by the Deniliquin Little Athletics Club, and primary and high school groups for out of school sporting activities.

Grants are provided by Bendigo Bank through its community banking scheme to the DCG, which then decides which groups receive the grants through an application process.

Commissions earned on Bendigo Bank accounts linked to the DCG are donated to the group at no cost to the customer.

The DCG has donated a total of $330,000 to various local organisations and clubs since its formation in October 2007