Mr Hartsuyker visited the Bellinger Anglican Hall which has received $6581 Stronger Communities Grant to install air-conditioning.

“This grant to the Anglican Parish of Bellinger will make the Bellinger Anglican Hall a more commercially viable operation when it comes to hiring out the facilities for functions and events,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

Bellingen Shire Council has also been awarded a Stronger Communities grant of $6026 for a safety upgrade of Raleigh Hall. The grant will be used to coming perimeter fencing, following  a major upgrade of the hall’s interior.

“I have met with local residents to inspect the work at the Raleigh Hall and I am so impressed by the community spirit which has seen many people volunteering their time, skills and goods to overhaul interior of this beautiful old hall,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

The Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Programme delivers $150,000 per year for two years to fund small capital projects which deliver social benefits in the Cowper electorate.

Raleigh Hall and Recreational Reserve Management Committee has also received a $4900 Federal Government Volunteer Grant for electronic equipment and kitchen appliances.

Ten other Bellingen district clubs and organisations have received funds through the Federal Government’s Volunteer Grants Programme.

These include:

·         Youth to Adult Inc - Two Way Street $4800

·         Men of Bellingen Inc - $4735

·         Bellingen Aboriginal Parent Group - $5000

·         Kalang Progress Association - $5000

·         Bellinger River Pony Club - $5000

·         Bellinger River Agricultural Society - $3000

·         Bellingen Community Communications Co-op $5000

·         Mylestom Hall Committee – Bellingen - $3100

·         Bellingen/Connell Park Management Committee – $1800

·         Bellingen Memorial Hall Committee – $4700

In Dorrigo, the Dorrigo Showground has received $5000 for outdoor furniture and equipment storage, and the Don Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Historical Society has been awarded a $1579 Federal Volunteer Grant for first aid supplies, furniture, landscaping and appliances.

“These are all terrific organisations which will benefit from grants which help to support the operation of so many volunteer and community groups with costs such as reimbursement for fuel, first aid training and kitchen appliances for volunteer communal areas,” Mr Hartsuyker said.