Wind farm slashes Inverell Eisteddford expenses

Round 1 2022 of the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund has kicked off with a bang, with the committee awarding just under $150,000 to 18 local organisations.

Twice a year, the Sapphire Wind Farm invites local community organisations to submit applications for a share of funding that can be used on equipment and infrastructure purchases, repairs and renovations, and programs and events.

President of the Inverell Eisteddfod Society, Jo Cowley has thanked the Sapphire Wind Farm after they were awarded $15,000 in the first round of 2022.

“The Inverell Eisteddfod Society would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the support of the Sapphire Wind Farm for the generous grant which will be a wonderful assistance to us now and into the future.”

Mrs Cowley says the Eisteddfod Society encounters a number of expenses each year which adds up quite quickly, making it tricky to keep entry fees low.

“The Inverell Eisteddfod always employs highly qualified adjudicators to critique the competitors and this assists them to develop in their chosen fields. The Eisteddfod is required to pay salary, travel and meal expenses for the adjudicator/s. Additional funds will be used to purchase equipment to assist Inverell Eisteddfod Society in the running of the committee meetings and the Eisteddfod each year."

“The grant will be used to offset some of the high expenses associated with running such an event including Town Hall hire, Insurances, music licence fees and trophies whilst still trying to keep the entry fees as low as possible to encourage participation. The grant will also be used to purchase the awards and scholarships.
The purchase of computers will allow the committee to move from manual to electronic record keeping which will be a great asset to their committee and will reduce the workload and amount of time spent on necessary tasks.

“The past two years have certainly been a test for everyone, with COVID-19 rules and regulations changing constantly and community events being cancelled. It has become evident that we need to provide covid safe options to protect our competitors and volunteers. We will now be able to purchase equipment to allow for cashless payments."

The following organisations received funding under Round 1 of 2022:

• Inverell Cricket Association – Purchase of 2 specialist mowers for Turf wickets - $9,780
• Inverell Minor league – ‘Helping kids Play Rugby league in 2022’ - $9,284.65
• Three Rivers Big Game Hunting – Purchase of an automated external portable defibrillator - $2,000
• Inverell Cultural Group – ‘Building resilience through cultural enrichment - $5,000
• Inverell Eisteddfod Society – Inverell Eisteddfod 2022 and equipment - $15,000
• Country Women’s Association – 2022 CWA Gwydir Group New Laptop computers - $5,000
• Wyoming Round Up Incorporated – Wyoming Round Up 2022 - $5,000
• The Inverell Club – Front Verandah Replacement - $12,232
• Inverell Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Festival of Christmas 2022 - $5,000
• Inverell Rugby Union Club – Solar Panel System - $13,250
• Tingha Recreation Reserve Land Managers – RIde on Lawn Mower - $10,000
• New England Aquatics Pty Ltd – Winter / Summer Learn to Swim - $15,000
• Nullamanna Reserve Land Manager – Mobile Phone Coverage for Nullamanna Hall and Recreation Reserve area - $3,000
• STA FM Community Radio – Power Clamp Installation - $7,183.00
• Inverell Art Society Inc – Slab roller for Pottery Studio - $2,975
• Inverell Netball Association – Netball Uniforms - $8,220
• Inverell Motorcycle Sports Club – Electronic Timing system - $10,506.16
• Inverell Hawks RLFC - equipment, uniforms and player registration fees - $7,000

Round 2 of the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund opens on 15 August, 2022.

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