Mr Coulton secured the $15,000 grant through the Commonwealth Government’s Stronger Communities Programme which is designed to fund small capital projects that will deliver social benefits.

 

“The programme aims to improve local community participation and cohesion, and contribute to vibrant and viable communities,” Mr Coulton said.

 

Under the Stronger Communities Programme, Mr Coulton called for expressions of interest from Local government and incorporated not-for-profit organisations across his electorate for small capital projects that would produce benefits for the relevant communities.

 

Mr Coulton then established a community consultation committee to undertake a review of all expressions of interest received, to identify eligible projects and invite applicants to apply.

 

“I was very pleased with the response to this programme from right across my electorate,” Mr Coulton said.

 

“My offices received over 90 expressions of interest for a wide range of different projects.

 

“Unfortunately, the electorate was only eligible to receive a total of $150,000 worth of grants, leaving a very tough job for the Committee to identify eligible projects.”

 

Mr Coulton commended the Lachlan Shire on the quality of their application and  for developing a project that will not only benefit the Condobolin area, but will also mean a great deal to the families of over 300 jockeys who lost their lives during race meetings.

 

“Council informs me that the National Jockeys Memorial Garden will be, by far, the largest jockeys memorial in Australia.

 

“This will make the memorial a major attraction for relatives of deceased jockeys as well as visitors and tourists to the area, assisting in raising the profile of the Lachlan Shire on a national level and in turn producing social and economic benefits for the area.”