South West Community Foundation’s Colac Sub Fund celebrated the work of grant recipients from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 at Red Rock Regional Theatre & Gallery on Tuesday 13 September.
Over 50 grant recipients and guests gathered for the first time in three years to celebrate the 12 community projects who have shared in over $45,000 in funding.
Groups including the Colac Community Hub, U3A Colac Otway, Colac Sea Scouts, the Colac and District Family History Group, Southern Otway Landcare Network, all talked about their projects and the impact these are having to help strengthen, connect and make a difference in the Colac-Otway community.
Colac Sub Fund Chair Robyn Alexander said it was amazing to see the wide range of projects being funded by the Foundation.
“We use locally fundraised money to help meet the needs of the Colac Otway community,” Mrs Alexander said.
“Over the years we have supported a wide range of wonderful community projects and it is incredible to hear directly from these groups about the wonderful work they are undertaking.
“One of the sayings at the Foundation is ‘local money for local needs’ and it is delightfully reaffirming to see how these groups are building capacity in the community with money raised locally.”
Colac and District Family History Group member Merrill O’Donnell said the grant the group received was vital to helping keep her group connected.
“We have to work hard to raise every dollar,” Mrs O’Donnell said.
“The work we do is about preserving local history, and it is great to know the money was raised in the local community”
Guest speakers on the night included Colac Otway Shire mayor Cr Kate Hanson, SWCF board chair David McIntyre and Community Foundations Australia executive officer Gerlinde Scholz.
The Colac Sub Fund was established in 2010 following a local fundraising campaign. This reserve continues to generate the funds distributed during the Annual Grant Round.