Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer with the successful recipients of community donations and sponsorship at the Shellharbour Civic Centre. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
From sporting champions to community events, Shellharbour City Council distributed $16,100 in sponsorships and financial assistance to individuals and organisations, celebrating their contributions to the community.
The recipients, including Five Islands Outrigger Canoe Club and Warilla RSL, were honoured at a special ceremony at the Shellharbour Civic Centre in December, showcasing the diverse ways the grants will enrich Shellharbour’s cultural, sporting, and social fabric.
Each year, the council provides funding to assist sporting, cultural, educational, health, welfare, and other groups from within the community through its Community Donations and Sponsorship Policy.
The policy simplifies the process of applying for donations and sponsorships to support sports, events, activities, and programs that enhance community wellbeing.
Among the successful applicants was Five Islands Outrigger Canoe Club, which received a $2000 donation toward the annual Outrigger Regatta, the biggest event of its kind in NSW in 2024.
It has more than 400 competitors from teams across coastal NSW and the canoe club has this year been able to enter a team into each category.
This is due to an influx of volunteers enabling the athletes to focus solely on competing.
Five gymnastics and acrobatic athletes – Allegra Fosteris, Zaniah Hourigan Carrera, Abbey Mushet, Ellyse Willetts and Lily Biletic – were given funding following their recent venture to the World Acrobatic Age Championships in Portugal in September.
Outside sport, Warilla RSL sub-Branch was a successful recipient for funding for a new speaker system for its future ANZAC Day ceremonies.
At an official ceremony at the Shellharbour Civic Centre, Mayor Chris Homer congratulated the recipients and praised the amazing outcomes the groups delivered for the community.
“Council is incredibly proud to support these local community groups to further enhance opportunities amongst a number of existing activities in the Shellharbour community,” Cr Homer said.
“These not-for-profit organisations and individual stars put in a mountain of work for success, and it is important that council support them on this journey.
“We are pleased to support these brilliant people in our community who continue to put Shellharbour on the map.”
Other successful individual and group applicants included Kynan Burke for the Canoe World Championships, Tahlia Bonanno and Sophie Tayler for the Australian Martial Arts Competition, Zach Gillet for Australian All School Athletics Championships, Lily Partridge for the School Sports Australian Hockey Championship and the i98 Illawarra Convoy.
Cr Homer encouraged groups and individuals to apply for future funding opportunities.
“Council offers these opportunities on a quarterly basis, so I encourage everyone to keep an eye on council’s Facebook page and website page for opening dates for applications,” he said.
He said council remained committed to supporting community groups to achieve success.
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