Category Archives: Sport and Recreation

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is excited to announce Hilltops Council has been successful in their application for $1,044,850 to undertake works at Jugiong Memorial Pool, thanks to the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Five.

The improvements to Jugiong Memorial Pool will involve an upgrade to the existing medium size pool, kiosk, amenities and ancillary equipment.

“The engagement of local contractors and of materials from local suppliers together with hiring of staff to operate the centre will provide an important boost to the local economy,” Ms Cooke said.

“It will be great to see increased use of this facility from local swimming clubs, schools, sporting groups and visitors once these upgrades are completed.”

Cr Margaret Roles, Mayor of Hilltops Council said they are delighted to have been successful in this funding to perform these upgrades.

“These upgrades will mean that the pool’s future is secure and will continue to be used and enjoyed by the Hilltops community now and into the future.” Ms Roles said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said in the past five years the Stronger Country Communities Fund had delivered more than 2000 grassroots projects, benefitting every Local Government Area in regional NSW.

“This is just one of 530 projects that will make regional communities stronger and an even better place to call home,” Mr Toole said.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure in the regions.

For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/sccf

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke was excited to attend the opening of the upgrades to the Temora Swimming pool recently. These upgrades were completed thanks in part to a $990,000 contribution from the NSW Government’s Greater Cities and Regional Sport Facility Fund, with funding of $1.21 million co-contributed by Temora Shire Council.

“These upgrades create an accessible and friendly sporting facility, for locals and visitors alike to utilise for generations to come,” Ms Cooke said.

“I congratulate ELM Aquatics, based in Griffith for their fantastic workmanship. Mark McLean and his team have delivered an outstanding project in record time, despite the most challenging of weather during the building process.”

The project has achieved the key objectives of the fund to improve the standard of an existing sporting facility and enables increased participation in the sport of swimming, through the provision of a widened, relined and accessible 50m swimming pool.

Part of the upgrades include in pool steps, pool widening to 15 metres, an increase of lanes, relining the pool and relocating the diving board.

Temora Shire Council Mayor Mr Rick Firman said the project is the major achievement of the long-term vision of Council and the community, driven by a community working group, which has supported other significant projects along the journey, including the indoor heated pool, amenities upgrade, kiosk upgrade, front building entrance upgrade, waterslide, splash park and disability change room, water wheelchair and hoist.

“The 50m pool is a modern, accessible swimming complex for the community to enjoy participating in swimming for recreation, fitness and sport, which has both physical and mental health benefits,” Mr Firman said.

“The increased usage will enable a greater level of community connectivity and social inclusion, as the swimming pool provides a destination for residents to enjoy time with family and friends during the warmer months.

Community sport clubs and organisations can now apply for up to $9,000 to access life-saving defibrillators, as part of the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said sport is part of the fabric of life in the community, with more people participating in sport and active recreation.

“Medical experts say the first eight minutes following a cardiac arrest are critical, so early access to CPR and a defibrillator is essential to increasing a patient’s likelihood of survival,” Ms Cooke said.

“We have already seen 64 defibrillators installed under this program. This means local sporting organisations and councils are equipped to respond to life-threating emergencies.”

“I encourage all our sporting clubs to apply for these grants that will helpprevent the trauma, and the heartache, that cardiac arrest can cause families.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the NSW Government has committed an additional $2 million over four years to the program.

“Whether you’re at your local sailing club or playing footy with your mates, when someone has a cardiac arrest, time is crucial – they can happen to anyone, anytime, or anywhere so it’s vital that a  defibrillator is readily accessible ” Mr Henskens said.

“Through this funding, the NSW Liberals and National Government is ensuring our sports clubs and venues are safe environments for everyone, both on and off the field.”

The Local Sports Defibrillator Program is available to sport and recreation clubs, associations and organisations as well as councils and service clubs. Up to $3,000 is available per device with organisations able to apply for up to three devices valued at $9,000.

Applications are open and close Friday, 10 February 2023. For more information on the Program, visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au.

Local football clubs and players in are set for a funding boost with the opening of the NSW Government’s Football Legacy Fund applications.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the NSW Football Legacy Fund will strengthen the local community and secure a brighter future for clubs and associations across NSW.

“The Football Legacy Fund will help increase football participation in the region through the construction or upgrade of community facilities, new or enhanced programs, and leadership and development programs”, Ms Cooke said.

“I encourage all clubs and associations to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and apply today.”

The program, delivered in partnership with Football NSW and Northern NSW Football, will focus on inclusive projects that encourage the participation of females and people with disability.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the legacy of NSW hosting matches for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will live on long after the tournament ends.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will bring the best players from across the globe to NSW as they compete for the prestigious title of world champions and the NSW Government wants to ensure they leave a positive legacy for our next generation of football stars,” Mr Henskens said.

“The Football Legacy Fund will ensure the entire NSW football family benefits from the state hosting World Cup matches, from grassroots through to elite-level competition.”

Round 1 has two streams available; Infrastructure, with up to $2.5 million available for the upgrade or construction of new community facilities; and Participation, with up to $650,000 available for programs that support increased football participation and leadership development.

To apply, find out more at www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/nsw-football-legacy-fund.

A new playground, designed with elements to enable inclusive play for all children has been opened at Albert Park, Cootamundra, thanks to joint funding of $200,000 from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play grant scheme and $200,000 input from Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council, in conjunction with the Touched By Olivia Foundation.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said it was an honour to be at the opening of this unique playground which would provide a place to challenge and encourage active play in an environment designed to incorporate nature.

“This playground has been created as a space where children can delight in the giant treehouse, swing on all sorts of different types of swings, and have their imaginations sparked by water features,” Ms Cooke said.

“Everyone feels welcome here. Every child can play here. This project has been designed so that all children can enjoy this space, regardless of ability. The vision that has been shown in regard to diversity and inclusion is remarkable.”

“I also recognise the efforts of Mayor Charlie Sheehan and Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council staff in seeing this vision come to life along with the Touched by Olivia Foundation.”

Extensive community consultation and feedback was sought throughout the process of the design of this playground. Thoughts and ideas from children regarding how they wished to play was an integral part of the process and contributed to the overall design.

Along with connecting children to nature and providing an inclusive space, this playground also acknowledges the Indigenous connections to the park, incorporating the theme of a long-neck turtle.

Temora Town Band Inc is one of 20 NSW-based community brass and concert bands successful in receiving funds under the 2022 Community Band Development Grants Program, administered by the Band Association of NSW on behalf of Create NSW.

Temora Town Band Inc will use its funding of $2000 to increase band activity and grow audience numbers within the community.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the funding would directly support the musical volunteers and Temora’s cultural sector.

“It’s music to my ears that we are supporting our home-grown musicians and volunteers of Temora Town Band, and I am confident this investment will give them a real boost to play on into the future,” said Ms Cooke.

Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said that the funding will increase musical activity within NSW communities and support the growth of audience numbers across the State.

“The Community Band Development Grants Program recognises the special role bands and live music play in our community life, and provides an excellent upskilling opportunity for musicians while promoting arts and culture around NSW,” Mr Franklin said.

“What I like most about this program isthat it invests in our local communitiesby providing support to local talent and volunteers, while also increasing band activity, lifting performance standards and growing audience numbers.”

Band Association of NSW is the peak organising body for community brass and concert bands in NSW.  In 2021/22, Band Association of NSW received $55,000 as part of Multi-year Funding for Service Organisations (Negotiated); this includes$30,000 to deliverthe Community Band Development Grants Program.

This year’s Community Band Development Grants Program has supported community bands across NSW, including the Regions, Western Sydney and Metropolitan Sydney.

Coolamon Cricket Club Inc will benefit from $51,532 in funding under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this funding will help the Coolamon Cricket Club to continue providing a fit-for-purpose location for local clubs and the community to enjoy participating in sports and hosting events.

“The Coolamon Cricket Club Inc is receiving $51,532 to replace and upgrade their water system to improve the quality of the playing surface at the grounds,” Ms Cooke said.

“This funding will provide upgrades to these facilities to ensure that it is a safe environment for all competitors and community sporting groups.”

Mr Shane Rudd, President of Coolamon Junior Cricket Club said the benefit of this watering system is not just for the cricket teams, but all sporting teams and anyone that uses the grounds, including visiting schools.

“This watering system, which utilises recycled water means that we can ensure that the grounds are always maintained in peak condition and provide the highest degree of safety possible for anyone participating in any sport,” Mr Rudd said.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the latest round of ClubGrants funding has awarded more than $4.2m to 43 projects across sport and recreation, arts and culture, community infrastructure and disaster readiness.

“Each year $12.5 million is made available for projects to build, repair or upgrade facilities across arts and culture, sport and recreation, disaster readiness and community infrastructure,” Mr Anderson said.

“The latest round was one the largest yet in a response to weather events including drought, bushfires and flooding, as well as the ongoing recovery from the COVID pandemic.

“A focus of the Infrastructure Grants funding is to help local community groups repair, rebuild and upgrade their facilities in areas where it is most needed, which is why it is so important that we support organisations like this in the Cootamundra electorate.”

The Infrastructure Grants program is made possible by Clubgrants Category 3, a fund which re-invests profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects.  Since 2015, the NSW Government has funded more than 520 community projects worth more than $81 million under the Infrastructure Grants program

The new clubhouse and changerooms located at the Narrandera Sportsground were officially opened on Saturday with the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joining the Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka and the local community at the event.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said project funding has been a collective effort with the NSW Government, Federal Government, Narrandera Shire Council, AFL Riverina and the Narrandera Imperial Football-Netball Club all providing support to the development.

“I would like to acknowledge all the hardworking individuals involved in making this dream project a reality, including Project Manager, the late Noel Crichton, Narrandera Shire Council Deputy General Manager Shane Wilson, and the Narrandera Imperial Football-Netball Club Clubrooms Committee, Joyleen Hutchins, Mark Savage, Graham Flynn and Gavin Sullivan,” Ms Cooke said.

“Enhancing these multi-sport facilities will greatly help local clubs like the Narrandera Imperial Football-Netball Club on training and game days.”

“These upgrades will also hopefully help put the Narrandera Sportsground on the map as a perfect space to attract national sporting fixtures such as the AFL which would be a huge boost to the community and local business owners.”

Through the NSW Government’s Stronger Countries Community Fund, the Narrandera Imperial Football-Netball Club was awarded $100,000 for the project under Round 3 and a further $160,000 was given to the Narrandera Shire Council for the development under Round 4.

The construction of a new hanger and club room at the Cowra and District Aero Club is steaming ahead thanks to the NSW Governments $325,485 investment into the project under Round 3 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund. 

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke recently visited the site at the Cowra Airport alongside Cowra and District Aero Club members and Mayor Bill West to view the major developments.

“The new facilities will be a great asset to the Cowra and District Aero Club who provide high-quality flight training to people of all ages who are interested in aviation, whether it be for leisure or to pursue a career as a qualified pilot,” Ms Cooke said.

“The club is really making its mark in the industry as being an outstanding choice for those seeking out highly professional flight training with students enrolling from as far as Sydney and Canberra.”

“Cowra has become a great hub for those wanting to learn foundational aviation skills in a regional setting.”

The Cowra Aero Club currently offers three types of training including an introductory trial instructional flight, obtaining a Recreational Aviation Australia certificate and the more advanced Cross Country Endorsement.

Cowra and District Aero Club President and Senior Instructor David Shaw said that the previous facilities were no longer meeting the ever growing demand.

“The old hangar had to be dismantled and the old club room acted as the terminal, which ultimately pushed the club into a side room that was no longer sufficient for the needs of training new pilots,” Mr Shaw said.

“These new upgrades will allow us to increase our current capabilities, expanding on teaching and becoming a better facility to introduce young people in particular to all aspects of aviation.”

“The new hangar and clubroom will enable us to continue training future pilots as a Recreational Aviation Australia flying school and act as a stepping stone for those who seek to not only be a recreational pilot, but those who wish to train and become a commercial pilot or pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force, or even those who hope to become involved in the maintenance or engineering aspects of aviation professions.”

The concrete pour is expected next week with door installation to follow before moving onto the construction of the club room section.

The group is holding a club day this Sunday May 1 for all of its 36 members which is a great opportunity to catch up socially and revise their skills.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced $456,720 in funding for Junee, Narrandera and Temora Shire Councils under the 2021/22 Public Library Infrastructure Grant program.

Ms Cooke said the grants are part of $6 million worth of funding for 26 public library projects across NSW.

“These are significant grants that will help our local libraries undertake a variety of measures such as increasing the programs offered at their libraries and the purchasing of new furniture,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our close-knit communities take great pride in our libraries that provide a wide range of valuable assets to the community, and cater for all ages. It is important that they have quality facilities, great collections and access to the internet, so it is wonderful to be able to assist in upgrading these critical sources to ensure they can continue to be a source of delight, entertainment, education and information.”

Projects awarded funding under the program:

• Junee Shire Council, $319,110 to refurbish Junee Library increasing the usable public space in the library by removing a large service desk and office. Funds will also provide flexible furniture throughout the library, and upgrade lighting, electrical and flooring.
• Narrandera Shire Council, $35,523 to enhance access to collections and increase space for programs in Narrandera Library’s children’s area. The project will include new mobile shelving, furniture, signage and technology.
• Temora Shire Council, $102,087 for improvements to Temora library as the final stage of an ongoing renovation project. This phase includes painting and new signage, upgraded lighting, automatic doors and accessible entrance.

NSW Minister for the Arts, the Hon Ben Franklin said public libraries continue to grow and provide access to services that help people at all stages of their lives.

“This funding is part of the additional $60M over four years the NSW Government is providing to enhance library services and facilities across the state,” Mr Franklin said.

“The NSW Government is committed to working with councils to enhance library services and facilities across the state.

“This funding allocation brings the total of State Government support for NSW libraries in 2021/22 to a record $38.6 million.”

NSW State Librarian Dr John Vallance said the funds will enable councils to develop or improve library buildings and mobile library services.

“Two years of fires, floods and plague have left the people of New South Wales more in need of strong, safe, well-provisioned libraries than ever before. Public library funding is one of the State Government’s most significant contributions to the health of our communities.”

The Library Council of NSW, assisted by the State Library, assessed the applications for grants under the 2021/22 program.