Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (second from left) inspected the new ride-on lawn mower at Baradine Golf Club today with President Merv Sutherland, Treasurer Bob Whillock and club stalwart Allan Olsen.

Baradine Golf Club has benefited from a new ride-on lawn mower thanks to an $18,000 Federal Government grant.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton today met with members of the Baradine Golf Club to inspect the new mower, funded under Round 6 of the Coalition Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

“I am incredibly pleased to help the Baradine Golf Club purchase a ride-on lawn mower, replacing its old tractor and slasher,” Mr Coulton said.

“The golf course is maintained by members and volunteers, and this new mower has enabled them to keep the greens in tip-top shape, making the course more attractive for the wider community.

“Golf clubs play an important role in towns like Baradine, providing a place for locals to get together and socialise while keeping fit and healthy, and this program certainly goes some way to maintaining their vibrancy.”

Baradine Golf Club Secretary Betty Olsen thanked Mr Coulton for his support in helping to secure this funding.

“The new lawn mower is wonderful,” Mrs Olsen said.

“The old tractor was 40 years old, and because we’re all volunteers, it was no longer suitable. Thank goodness we got the ride-on mower when we did – we’ve needed it after all this rain!

“We’re so appreciative of this grant.”

The Stronger Communities Programme provides each electorate with $150,000 to fund small capital projects.

An additional $28.2 million was provided in the 2021-22 Budget to extend the Stronger Communities Programme to a seventh round, which has just closed. More information about the SCP is available at www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Stronger-Communities-Programme.