Bathurst Panthers and Bathurst RSL Club handed over grants of between $500 and $6000 to a wide variety of community organisations that make a huge difference in the lives of local people. 

The funding was awarded under the Clubs Grants Scheme with administrative help by Bathurst Regional Council.

Council was represented at a very special morning tea yesterday by mayor Monica Morse, Crs Gary Rush and Greg Westman. 

The recipients were Quota International of Bathurst, Camp Quality Tractor Trek, Meals on Wheels Bathurst, Kelso High Campus of Denison College, Bathurst Women’s and Children’s Refuge, the Western Region Academy of Sport, Bathurst Seymour Centre, TAD Disability Services, Lifeline Central West, Bathurst Community Transport, Central West Care, Bathurst City Community Club, Evans Community Options, Daffodil Cottage Advisory Council, Central West Life Education Support Group, Lee Hostel Committee Blayney, Shine for Kids, Bathurst Women’s Housing Project, Scout Association of Australia, Leukaemia Foundation and the Central West Foster Carer’s Group. 

Chair of Panthers Bathurst Norm Mann said it is very gratifying to see money that is normally given to the government as tax going to community organisations.

He said unfortunately there were more applications than the clubs could fund, but they might get a chance next year.

Mr Mann has been involved in the grants program for the past 10 years. 

President of Bathurst RSL Club Jim McFerran said it is nice to be seen to support local organisations which really need the funding.

“These grants can mean the difference between programs going ahead or not,” he said.

Mr McFerran said as a volunteer with the Community Transport Group for the past 12 months, he has seen firsthand how important such funding is.

“It was nice to be able to see the variety of different organisations that put in for funding,” he said.

“There are a lot of organisations here today that people might not know about.”