Local not-for-profit and sporting groups, businesses and individuals will share almost $170,000 in funding after Council endorsed a special community grants program at last night’s ordinary meeting.

As part of Council’s COVID-19 response, Council’s Community Grants program was expanded to include three grant rounds for Community Grants (including Health and Wellbeing, and Events and Sponsorship, categories), Cultural Activation Grants and Sport and Recreation Grants.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said local community groups played an important role in the Camden area.

“Council recognises and values the strengths of our local community groups who make a vital contribution to many residents in need,” Cr Fedeli said.

“It is important for Council to support organisations in assisting our community in a range of programs and initiatives.

“I congratulate all of the successful organisations and encourage the community to continue supporting each other.”

Council will be undertaking another round of grants for all three categories later this year.

Turning Point Camden Inc coordinator, Davina Smith, said the funding would help many people looking to return to work.

“This funding will enable us to help clients move forward with their life’s after going through a number of issues in their lives,” Ms Smith said.

“Turning Point is here to help people get back on their feet and giving people the chance to find employment is like the icing on the cake for us.

“We will now work towards putting a program in place whereby our clients can have the right PPE equipment or the necessary qualifications like a white card to apply for jobs and return to work.

“This can be a massive help to someone who has suffered and is now getting back on track. We have been successful in gaining funding from Council before and this really is invaluable to keep people moving in their lives, especially as we continue to live through the pandemic.”

The full list of recipients includes:

• Turning Point Camden Inc – Men’s return to work program – $10,000;
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard – Storage solutions – $9,922;
• Camden Community Connectins – Respectful relationships – $10,000;
• Youth Solutions – YAG online training – $10,000;
• Blue Wren House Camden Women’s Shelter Inc – Welcome baskets for clients – $10,000;
• Learning Links – Learning links program – $9,860;
• Paws Pet Therapy – Social awareness and inclusion project – $9,870;
• BCD Community Care Inc – Senior safety – $10,000;
• C3 Church Mount Annan – Kids sensory program upgrade – $3,500;
• Hope Anglican Church Leppington – Friday night community hub – $2,000;
• Autism Spectrum Australia – inclusive environments, programs and events – $5,000;
• Camden Digital Arts and Culture Centre – Women’s coffee club – $5,000;
• Adventist Development and Relief Agency – Creative Connections Leppington – $3,000;
• Macarthur Textile Network Inc – Women, sitting, sewing, sharing – $1,660;
• Rainbow Club Australia Inc – Establishing a Safety Week at Narellan Rainbow club – $5,420;
• Fisher’s Ghost Youth Orchestra – Making music accessible again – $2,500;
• Fisher’s Ghost Youth Orchestra – Medieval Fair – $2,500;
• Camden Anglican Parish College – Carols in Macarthur Park – $1,500;
• Narellan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Limited – Christmas in Narellan – $10,000;
• Hope Anglican Church Leppington – Leppington Community Carols – $1,000;
• Campbelltown-Camden District Band Inc – 75th anniversary concert – $3,000;
• Camden Writers Inc – Author speakers and 2021+2022 audio books – $5,400
• Eventing Equestriad – $12,500;
• Small Ford Car Club of NSW – Concours and Display Day – $1,500;
• RSL Camden Sub-Branch – Installation of permanent ANZAC mural – $3,000;
• Bistro at Camden – Engagement of local performers to deliver a program of live entertainment – $3,000;
• Sakura Murakami – Series of live music activations on Argyle Street by the artist – $1,410;
• GCM@Camden – Live and local at GCM Camden Coffee House – $3,000;
• The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) – Community Connect concert – $3,000;
• Camden Digital Arts and Culture Centre – provide art and culture exhibition – $2,600;
• Melody Chime – Art show markets – $800; and
• Cobbitty Pony Club – Participant pathway development – $7,500;

For more information on grants available to the community, go to camden.nsw.gov.au