Community & Business
17 May, 2022
Wind farm benefits community groups
A MAJOR electrical system upgrade and an expanded work area has members of the Malanda Men’s Shed clapping their hands after receiving funds to pay for the works from the Mt Emerald Wind Farm.
A MAJOR electrical system upgrade and an expanded work area has members of the Malanda Men’s Shed clapping their hands after receiving funds to pay for the works from the Mt Emerald Wind Farm.
The Men’s Shed operates out of the old Uniting Church on Mary Street but the building had limited power facilities and space was beginning to be an issue with the group’s successful production of leather goods outgrowing the room available. The $8,968 grant from the Wind Farm Community Fund has enabled upgrades to safety hardware, switchboards and wall power points as well as the installation of eight suspended workshop power points, and the replacement of the sub board in the community use hall and kitchen area.
Men’s Shed president Glynn Morice said that in addition to the electrical work, the grant would allow the group to clad another area of the church and double the size of the leatherwork area.
“Leatherwork is an extremely rewarding pastime for men, contributing greatly to improvements in wellbeing and mental health and we plan to hold community classes in the near future,” he said.
The group is just one of 16 community organisations that have received a grant for their projects. Fund committee chairman Tom Braes said it was difficult to select who would receive a grant in the latest round of funds, given that half a million dollars’ worth of applications had been received for the $100,000 on offer.
“The quality and quantity of applications this round made it very tough for the committee but we are sure that the successful organisations will create great social benefits for the Mount Emerald community with these funds,” he said.
The successful local grant recipients in this round of funding were:
Atherton Herberton Historic Railway
Ravenshoe Pony Club
Mareeba Rugby League Club
Ravenshoe and District Meals on Wheels
Horses Helping Humans Atherton Tablelands Inc
Lions Club of Malanda
Ravenshoe RSL Sub Branch
Working Equitation FNQ Inc
Ravenshoe Tennis Club Inc
QLD CWA Mareeba Branch
Malanda Men's Shed
United Tableland Pipe Band
Tinaroo Sailing Club Dimbulah Tennis Club
Herberton Mining Museum History Association Inc
Assistance Dogs North Queensland
The Mount Emerald Wind Farm Community Fund, now in its fourth year, has backed almost 100 local community projects that are located within a 50km radius of the turbines so far, and will continue to offer more than $200,000 per year throughout the wind farm’s working life.
Local community organisations can apply for a grant any time, with the next round of applications closing on 31 July. For information, call 1800 280 013 or send your inquiry to communityfund@ratchaustralia.com
