When the bushfires came roaring through Yellow Rock and Winmalee, the local Girl Guides hall was spared but the group’s shed and outdoor activity area bore the brunt of the blaze.
A $20,000 grant announced in December by Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage is set to be a huge boost for Springwood-Winmalee District Girl Guides. The funding is part of the 2013 Community Building Partnership program which has delivered $200,000 for community infrastructure projects across the Blue Mountains electorate. The Guides will use their grant to connect power and water to their playing field area and equipment shed — once it is rebuilt.
District Leader Dianne Strahan said with insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding, the group would be able to continue with its pre-existing plans for the grant money.
“This money is going to be great because it means we can push ahead with our plans to have lighting and water to the area so we can have a field that we can play on at night, and we can practise erecting tents and other camping skills,” said Mrs Strahan.
“We have not been able to utilise these areas in the evenings for safety reasons because of the lack of lighting.
“We are grateful for Mrs Sage’s interest and encouragement through the destruction of our shed and all the outdoor equipment it contained, and for the great news about our success in the 2013 Community Building Partnership grants.”
Mrs Sage said it was fantastic to see the Guides’ determination to put the grant money to its intended use despite the setback.
“The Community Building Partnership is an opportunity for me to have a significant say in which infrastructure projects receive a funding injection in the electorate,” she said. “This work will give local Girl Guides a better opportunity to practise their skills and enjoy their activities, particularly at night.
“There were so many worthy applications for this year’s funding so the only disappointment is that some groups miss out. I encourage any community groups looking for help funding infrastructure projects to contact my office on 4751 3298 to learn more about the program in preparation for the 2014 round.”
