PORT Stephens Council has approved financial assistance for a number of community organisations.

In a motion moved by Councillor Giacomo Arnott and seconded by Councillor Chris Doohan, financial assistance was unanimously approved for Irrawang High School and Raymond Terrace Soccer Club.

Irrawang High School received $1,300 of mayoral funds and that was spent to support students attending a creative and performing arts road trip.

West ward funds of $1,000 were donated to the Raymond Terrace Soccer Club towards supporting the all-age women’s team to participate in the state cup.

Councillor Giacomo Arnott thanked his fellow West ward Councillors for supporting the donation towards the soccer club, discussing the importance of women in sport.

“Supporting women in sport and particularly local women in sport is really important and anything that we can do as a Council we should be doing to make sporting more accessible for groups that typically find it more difficult to engage.

“I think this money will go a long way towards boosting our sporting fraternity here locally,” Cr Arnott said.

Irrawang High’s CAPA Tour allows students in years 8-11 to travel to various locations in Australia, sharing the school’s talent.

Previous tours have included ‘Adelaide to the Outback’, ‘Beyond the Black Stump’ and ‘Melbourne via The Murray’, in which the students have visited some of Australia’s most renowned landmarks.

By Tara CAMPBELL