Community groups receive funding

Five Peninsula community groups have received funding in this year's round of community and cultural grants from Gosford Council.

Three groups received part of their requested amount and two received the full amount.

Five other groups received no funding.

The three groups that received funding included the Benevolent Society, the Pearl Beach Progress Association and the Umina Beach Folk Festival.

The Benevolent Society applied for $15,000 for the My Turn Exhibition, a men's workshop to be based on the Peninsula, and received $10,000.

The Pearl Beach Progress Association received $2000 out of a requested $5000 to hold its annual music festival.

The Central Coast Bush Dance and Music Association received $1250, having asked for $10,000 to hold its annual Umina Beach Folk Festival.

Gosford Council of Performing Arts received $10,000 for the Cultural Laboratory, a program of short forums at the Peninsula Theatre.

The Umina Beach Neighbourhood Watch received $5000 for the publication of a 2006 Peninsula Community Celebration Calendar.

A council report stated that the annual community and cultural grants program provided a way of financially assisting projects for community development activities that would enhance the quality of life of people living and working in the local area.

The assessment panel consisted of representatives from Council's Community Development, Arts and Culture, Finance and Organisational Development sections.

Each application was assessed against the relevant policy and eligibility criteria.

A presentation ceremony will be held to present cheques to successful applicants.

The council report further stated that unsuccessful applicants would be encouraged to apply again next year, and would be provided with information on other grant opportunities they may be eligible for.

The five groups that received no funding included the Uniting Church, the Umina Childcare Centre, the Pretty Beach Wagstaffe and District Progress Association, the Umina Group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association and the Umina Beach PCYC.

Council agenda CS.25, June 28