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.
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.
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.
After years of setbacks and COVID-19 delays, thanks to grants provided by the NSW State Government, the Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre have been able to cut the ribbon and unveil their new entrance and display building.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is delighted to have been there for the celebration of this opening and said this funding was important in keeping the centre in peak condition.
“The Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre in Cowra draws in crowds of hundreds of visitors each year, contributing to the flourishing tourism sector in Cowra,” Ms Cooke said.
“The team of passionate volunteers at the centre have worked tirelessly and shown real dedication and love in all they have done to enhance this space and grow its capabilities as a tourist destination.”
Mr Ian Cameron, Manager at the Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre said he was very excited at the unveiling of this long-term project.
“What started its life as a storage shed has undergone a magical transformation and become a grand building with displays, souvenirs and even refreshments for guests.” Mr Cameron said.
“After having been postponed due to Covid-19, to be able get together for the opening of this building at our museum has been incredible, it brings joy to see visitors able to walk through and appreciate this new building.”
Further to the funding that has built the new entrance building, Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre has successfully obtained a further grant of $19,690 from The Community Building Partnership Program which will go towards building a 5-metre by 15-metre extension to the existing entrance and display building.
The Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre is not just a museum, but an interactive experience and a functional facility where maintenance and restoration works are carried out. It is widely considered and promoted as Cowra’s most significant industrial heritage site.
Sporting pursuits in the Temora region have received a major boost after the NSW Government announced a $900,000 grant for major upgrades of the Temora Swimming Pool.
The grant has been awarded to Temora Shire Council for a project that will involve the widening of the pool to eight lanes, the provision of an accessible ramp entry and in-pool step entry, as well as work to address several maintenance issues associated with the existing facility.
The grant has been awarded under the first round of the NSW Government’s Regional Sport Facility Fund which will see $50 million awarded over two years for new and upgraded sports facilities in Regional NSW.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has congratulated Temora Shire Council on their successful application which will substantially modernise the current facility.
“Sport and recreation is a big part of small communities,” Ms Cooke said.
“This is an exciting project which will provide residents of Temora and further afield with a modern, fit-for-purpose swimming facility.”
“It is fantastic to learn this project will be made possible using local contractors and suppliers, and once completed will ensure the Temora Recreation Centre can attract larger regional competitions, which will be of great benefit to our local economy.”
Mayor of Temora Shire Council Rick Firman said the project will greatly enhance the swimming complex for the benefit of all users.
“We’re overwhelmed with the support we’re receiving from the NSW Government to improve infrastructure at our recreation centre.”
“On behalf of Council we say a warm thank you for this outstanding boost to our community.”
Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the Regional Sport Facility Fund will help promote healthy lifestyles across regional NSW while stimulating local economies and boosting employment.
“The NSW Government recognises investing in new and existing sports facilities plays a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of NSW residents,” Mrs Ward said.
“The Regional Sport Facility Fund will promote improved health and wellbeing, and create a construction boom across regional NSW as part of the NSW Government’s multi-billion-dollar infrastructure pipeline.”
The Regional Sport Facility Fund provides grants to councils, local sporting bodies, NSW State Sporting Organisations, State Sporting Organisations for People with Disability, National Sporting Organisations and private enterprises.
For the full list of recipients and further information on the Regional Sport Facility Fund, visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants