Wind Farm keeps giving

9 April 2021

SIXTEEN Inverell community groups have snapped up a share of almost $100,000 in grant funding from the most recent round of the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Fund.

The Sapphire Wind Farm Committee takes applications in two rounds each year, where local non-profits can request funding for the purchase of small equipment and infrastructure, renovation and rehabilitation projects, and assistance with new programs and events.

President of the Inverell Saints Football Club, Nathan Hughes thanked the committee for allocating $6,300 in the Fund’s first round of 2021, and expressed how their organisation will benefit from the funding.

“We are greatly appreciative of the sponsorship afforded to us by the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Fund.”

“As well as assistance to purchase a new freezer, we also received enough funding to provide essential training and purchase game day resources for the Club.”

Mr Hughes says without the support from the Sapphire Wind Farm, this year’s AFL season would have been very difficult to fund.

“From purchasing shirts and footballs, to a new freezer and goal post pads, when it comes to running a community sporting organisation, you don’t realise that all those little things eventually add up and the budget can only stretch so far.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic saw the Club suffer through immense financial loss, and trying to fund the 2021 season on our own would have proved very difficult without the financial contributions from the Sapphire Wind Farm.”

“The Inverell Saints will be able to continue providing a safe, fun and family oriented sporting organisation into the future.”

The organisations that received funding under the first round of 2021’s fund are:

• > Inverell Basketball Association – lighting upgrade – $16,450
• > Inverell Pioneer Village – museum display cases – $11,700
• > CWA of NSW Delungra Branch – cool catering mobile coolroom trailers – $10,000
• > Inverell Clay Target Club – front awning stage 2 – $10,000
• > Inverell Cycle Club – “Grafton to Inverell” finish line festival – $7,500
• > Inverell Saints Football Club – Freezer & “Let’s Play AFL” shirts, goal post pads and footballs – $6,300
• > Inverell Show Society – renovation and upgrade of cattle pavilion – $5,777.90
• > Ashford Business Council Inc. – Ashford Salami Festival 2021 – $5,000
• > Inverell Polocrosse Club Inc. – The Swan Cup 2021 – $5,000
• > Yetman Hall and Progress Association – “Yetman: Yes We Can!” music festival – $5,000
• > Inverell Women’s Shed – purchase of equipment – $4,063.50
• > Tingha Recreation Reserve Land Managers (70706) – entry fencing and gates to reserve grounds – $3,870
• > Inverell Motorcycle Sports Club – staircase for score tower – $2,700
• > Northern NSW Helicopter Service Ltd Inverell Support Group – marquee and hot water system – $1,699.50
• > Operation: Operating Room Ltd – OOR fundraising equipment – $1,860
• > Inverell Anglers Association – “come and try fly fishing” day – $1,000

Round 2 of the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Fund for 2021 opens on Monday, 16 August. To find out if your organisation is eligible to apply for the Fund, please visit https://inverell.nsw.gov.au/building-and-development/wind-farms/sapphire-wind-farm-community-fund/ or call Council on (02) 6728 8288.

Image: The Inverell Saints are all geared up in their team colours, ready to conquer the 2021 AFL season after receiving a $6,300 financial contribution from the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Fund.

For further information contact:
Fiona Adams | Inverell Shire Council | PO Box 138, Inverell NSW 2360 | 02 6728 8288 | Fiona.Adams@inverell.nsw.gov.au