Almost $50,000 for upgrade
By Brownyn Lumsden
Heathcote community members joined Lisa Chesters and Sherrie Coote to make an exciting announcement last week regarding upgrade funding for Heathcote RSL Hall.
THE Heathcote community has scored a win securing nearly $50,000 in grant funds to upgrade the Heathcote RSL Hall.
Heathcote and District’s Community Plan listed improvements to the RSL Hall in the inaugural 2007 Plan and again in the current 2014-2017 Community Plan.
Through Advance Heathcote’s art, culture, history and events theme group, the project has been championed by 14 enthusiastic community groups who use the RSL Hall for a variety of community activities and functions.
The purpose of the community working group was to identify improvements required in the RSL Hall facilities and raise some funds to undertake the works.
Advance Heathcote has been successful and raised $37,725.59 towards the Project plus an additional contribution of $9709 in works from the City of Greater Bendigo. Summary of funds: $20,000 via Lisa Chesters MP, Stronger Communities Program – Federal Government grant towards replacement of the heating/cooling system in the large RSL Hall area $15,725.59 from the Heathcote and District Community Bank Bendigo Bank-Community Enterprise Foundation grants for 900mm wide cooker/ oven, commercial dishwasher and microwave, cooking equipment and glassware; alternative, replacement of the fluorescent lighting with more ambient suspended track lighting and fixed picture railing in the main RSL Hall $9,709 from City of Greater Bendigo installation of a boiling hot water wall unit and storage upgrades in the kitchen and a new heating/cooling unit in the small meeting room. Total funds $45,434.59. Advance Heathcote Inc has driven the project through Theme Group Champion, Sherrie Coote and the community Working Group.
“This is an example of community empowerment and capacity building through implementing our Community Plan,” Ms Coote said.
“I think at the beginning of the Project probably no-one thought we would raise the funds required to kickstart the Project.
“The initial funding from the Heathcote and District Community Bank helped bring on board other funding partners, resulting in the Council placing the RSL Hall in its 2016-2017 renewal/upgrade budget to allocate funds to complete the upgrade of the heating/cooling system.
“All of us are looking forward to being warm next time we go to an event in the RSL during winter.
“We are appreciative of the support from our local Federal Member, Lisa Chesters for supporting us in acquiring the Stronger Communities Program grant,” Ms Coote said.