Wagga City Council approves 2018/19 grants round totaling more than $163,000 for health, community and sports groups

All councillors present at Monday night’s meeting voted to approve the applications under the 2018/19 Annual Grants Program.

Councillor Vanessa Keenan, who had sat on some of the grant assessment panels, said the money would make a big difference and demand for the program was outstripping supply.

“It’s phenomenal what is going to be achieved,” she said.

“There are some really amazing projects in there and some dedicated community members that will see the benefits.”

Wagga’s Sunflower House shared in the community grants section, receiving $2150 for its mental health members to take part in animal therapy through the wellness program at Belisi Equine Park.

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Members will take part in weekly sessions lasting two hours with specially trained horses.

“There’s a huge benefit that can be obtained from the members in participating in equine therapy,” Friends of Sunflower House chair Joanne Carter said.

“The horses are gentle and trusted and there’s a great opportunity to develop a rapport with the animals.

“We’re really grateful to Wagga City council because at the moment there are some funding difficulties and it’s great to have a positive program for our members.”

Sunflower House member Samantha Dumpleton said she was really excited to start the therapy program.

“I enjoy spending time with animals so this will be very good therapy for me,” she said.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s Aged Care Services received $3000 for Painting with Parkinson's workshops. 

The workshops were designed to bring from relief of symptoms such as tremors and reduce feelings of isolation and depression.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that often starts tremors in one hand and can also cause slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance.

Physiotherapist Lieng Lay said participants would paint freestyle watercolour paintings accompanied with performances from the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.

“With Parkinson’s the classic sign is to feel that they feel their world is getting smaller, because their movements get smaller and their physical expression in things like writing gets smaller,” she said.

“Part of the program is to get them to express themselves emotionally but also physically to increase their movements through art with the music in the background as inspiration.

“The focus is on the whole person, as an artist who can express themselves, rather than as a sufferer.”

The Painting with Parkinson's workshops will start from August 27.

FULL LIST OF GRANTS

Via Wagga City Council’s business paper