It is that time of year when community organisations take stock of the year that was and give an update to members and the broader community. For the Community Foundation that took place on Wednesday 20th alongside the award of community and recovery grants. Guests included the members of the Community Foundation, two of our new ward councillors, Cr. Brad Snell and Mayor John Schelling and the grant recipients.
Rob Kiddell, Chair, gave a report on the Community Foundation’s activities across the year and Wendy Major, Chair of the Investment and Finance Committee spoke to the audited financial statements for 2023/24. Wendy highlighted that the value of the Community Foundation had exceeded $9 million for the first time, having grown from $5 million in 2010 and distributed $2.1 million to the community. The growth comes from steady investment (7.7% return in 2024) and donations to sub-funds. Wendy thanked Community Bank, Mirboo North & District for their $200,000 donation to their future project fund, and the Mirboo North Times for their donation of $179,000 to create a perpetual fund. If you would like to see a copy of the annual report, it is on the website – Annual Report
Rob Kiddell also welcomed the two recently appointed Directors, Marissa Shields and Gerard O’Shea, to the Board, while Ruth Rogan spoke about the response and recovery work that has dominated activity since the February Storm.
The report to members was followed by the announcement of the 2024 Community Grants. On receiving their grant, each representative talked about the impact that these projects would bring to the community.
The 2024 Community Grant recipients were: Dave Knowles representing BooFIIT’s Defence and Well-being Program; Trent Venten Brigade Captain of Mirboo North CFA for Trauma Kits for Fire Engines; KellyO’Hara Gardner and Charlie Twomey of Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition for their Community Sculptures workshops; Julie Joyce of the Mirboo North Artspace for Community Workshops; Jess Nash of Thorpdale Playgroup for Safe Start: Playgroup Improvement Project; Geraldine Bollard of the Mirboo & District Historical Society for Photocopier Replacement Project; Peter Debreceny of MCDI for the Signage Upgrade Project; and Jim O’Brien from the Wednesday Warriors for their Zero Turn Mower Project.
“It is inspiring to hear why local volunteers put their time and energy into projects which enhance the opportunities for the whole community,” says Ruth Rogan. “We are so pleased to be able to support these projects with a grant, but we are even more grateful to the volunteers who apply for funding and roll out their projects for the community’s benefit.”
The final part of the evening recognised a range of projects that had been completed in 2024 with grants from the Mirboo North Recovery Fund. For more on the donations to and grants from that fund, see this article.
