Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with Gunnedah Conservatorium Director Rebecca Ryan in front of the new storage.

Gunnedah Conservatorium now has purpose-built storage for its musical instruments thanks to a $4,950 Federal Government grant.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton this week met with members of the Gunnedah Conservatorium to discuss their successful grant, provided under Round 6 of the Coalition Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

“I am incredibly pleased to help such a great community organisation like the Gunnedah Conservatorium, which provides fantastic musical and performance opportunities to the Gunnedah Shire,” Mr Coulton said.

“The ability to play a musical instrument is a wonderful skill to have, and this funding will help provide greater access to instruments, enabling more students the opportunity to learn music.

“Volunteer organisations in the Parkes electorate are pivotal to our local communities, and this program certainly goes some way to supporting them and the terrific work they do.”

Gunnedah Conservatorium Director Rebecca Ryan said the funding has been used to create additional storage space for instruments and Conservatorium equipment.

“We thank our member Mark Coulton and the Federal Government for making this funding available,” Ms Ryan said.

“While we have a fantastic space at the Town Hall it’s not purpose built and we’ve struggled with space to keep our instruments and have them available and ready to hire for new students. The new storage allows us to keep track of all instruments and ensure they are ready for students.

“We keep a range of instruments on hand including string and woodwind. Our instrument stock, now housed in a purpose-built system, makes it easy for students starting out as they can have access to a quality instrument.

“It seems strange to say but when the storage is empty it will be a good sign that many more students have taken up learning music in our community.”

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.

More information about the SCP is available at www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Stronger-Communities-Programme.