“We are a very active committee,” Gary Lee, Media Liaison Officer with the Utungun Community Centre’s committee told NOTA.

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“This money will go towards putting in up-to-date catering equipment, like a bain-marie to assist with serving food at catering events.

“Council supported and analysed our application (for the grant) but we did the paperwork ourselves last year in about October.

“This is above and beyond the money which Council (Nambucca Valley) has already spent to give us a new kitchen,” he said.

The funds will be matched by an equal amount from fundraising carried out by the hall committee, who are tirelessly working on these costs, running a sausage sizzle and cake stall in the main street of Macksville this Friday.

It’s the second such event in just over a month for the group which consists of just seven committee members.

Michael Kemp, State MP for Oxley, congratulated all successful grant applicants.

“This grassroots funding will directly help create a more vibrant and inclusive local community with positive social, environmental, and recreational outcomes,” he said.

Under the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership scheme, each electorate was granted a maximum of $300,000 toward community infrastructure projects.

Applicants were assessed against other proposed projects within the electorate to contribute to this total.

“I congratulate all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for community groups in the area,” Mr Kemp said.

Mr Lee said he hopes the new kitchen will soon be up and running and the new catering equipment will help the hall to provide better for a large range of events.

“Next, we want to get our recreation centre, including the tennis courts and BBQ area up and running,” he said.

By Ned COWIE