Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with Gilgandra Shire Council Mayor Doug Batten.

In a boost to local sport and the regional economy, Gilgandra Shire Council has been awarded an Australian Government grant to host the Gilgandra Windmill Triples Bowls.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said Gilgandra Shire Council will receive $10,000 to host the event as part of the Coalition Government’s Regional Sport Events Fund.

The initiative is supporting regional sport while also helping to boost local economies by attracting more visitors to regional areas to attend sporting events.

“The Gilgandra Windmill Triples Bowls provides the Gilgandra Region with an entertaining weekend of sport and friendly competition,” Mr Coulton said.

“To be held in September, the competition aims to draw in more than 100 competitors from Gilgandra and the Central West for a packed weekend of bowls at the Gilgandra Sporties Club.

“I’m pleased to be able to support Gilgandra Shire Council to host the bowls tournament, which will help to attract visitors and stimulate the local economy after a challenging few years.

“Sport helps strengthen the fabric of community across the Parkes electorate and the Coalition Government is committed to helping people reconnect and celebrate through sport.”

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the program will have wide-ranging benefits for local communities.

“With funding of up to $50,000 available to host regional sporting events, the Australian Government is helping ensure regional communities can bounce back after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Colbeck said.

“We’ve seen applications for events range from ‘come and try days’ to larger events such as state sporting championships that will engage the broader community and have flow on effects for local businesses.”

All local councils in regional, rural and remote areas across Australia had the opportunity to apply for funding to host sporting events.

More information about the Regional Sport Events Fund can be found here.