Four community groups and not-for-profit organisations will share over $15,000 through the 2024 Kangaroo Island Council Community Grants scheme.

The scheme provides financial grants for projects that benefit the broader community of Kangaroo Island.

Mayor Michael Pengilly says applications are assessed against a number of criteria, including the capacity to deliver outcomes aligned with Kangaroo Island Council's Strategic Management Plan and target the areas of need within the community and community values.

"Council is committed to developing the region by providing funding opportunities through the annual scheme," he says.

"The aim of the Community Grants scheme is to provide seed funding for projects run by not-for-profit organisations and community groups that will create positive community, cultural, and environmental outcomes.

"The four projects are very diverse and represent the unique community spirit that characterises Kangaroo Island."

Recipients of the Kangaroo Island Council Community Grants for the 2023/24 financial year are:

• Parndana Show Society - for pavilion lighting and electrical upgrades, $4,000.
• Parndana Sports Club – for a new playground sand pit, $4,000.
• Western Kangaroo Island Lions Club of Parndana – Future Proofing Project - for a rainwater tank to capture stormwater runoff and amenity $4,000.
• Kangaroo Island Motor Club – for support toward its annual event, $3,000.

Mayor Pengilly says the council is focused on working in collaboration with the community to shape a sustainable future for current and future generations.

"It is important for Council to engage and support the community, and the Community Grants scheme is just one way we can do this," he says.

“It’s a small program designed to kick start community projects.

"The projects put forward by the community will improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors to Kangaroo Island."

Mrs Barb Copper says the Parndana Sports Club is thrilled to receive funding through the Community Grants scheme.

It will establish a sandpit near the netball courts at Parndana as the first step in a larger project to upgrade aging playground equipment and install new equipment to meet the needs of Parndana's growing number of young families.

Mrs Cooper, along with Jordy Kelly and Takeda McMulkin from the Parndana Sports Club, has been collaborating with the council to upgrade playground equipment at the Western Lions KI Park at Parndana and to gain further grant funding to upgrade and install new playground equipment near the netball courts.

"Play spaces provide opportunities for community members to come together – to talk, share and connect," she says.

Mrs Cooper says play spaces that are safe and inviting benefit both adults and children.

"When all kids are offered opportunities to play together, it opens up healthy behavioural and social skills that are vital later in adult life.

"Equally, for parents and carers of young children, safe and inviting play spaces provide valuable and unique opportunities for interaction that is vital for social well-being and builds community resilience.

"Most importantly for our club, when children can play in a safe space, parents are more able to participate in sports, which promotes a healthy lifestyle.

“Post bushfires it would be fantastic for all of the community clubs to move forward, given in the past three years it has been difficult financially with Covid19 restricting the number of people that could attend games and events.”

Kangaroo Island Council's annual Community Grants provide a total of $20,000 each year for community-led projects.

The successful Community Grants were presented to the recipients at the council's Australia Day Ceremony on Friday 26 January.