Mulwaree High School has recently installed a computer-aided plasma cutter thanks to a grant from the Veolia Mulwaree Trust.  The machine is the first of its kind to be put into a NSW Public School. The sculpture, engineering and technology classes are already starting to learn the CAD program and applying it to their work and look forward to developing its potential to other areas within the school and the Goulburn region. Pictured right are students from the Mulwaree Sculpture Project with some of the work they have produced.

Mulwaree High School Industrial Arts teacher, Bill Dorman, would like to encourage interested schools to contact him in regard to making the technology accessible to students from throughout the region.

“It is especially applicable to the senior students in industrial tech, art and engineering areas and adds a whole new dimension to the sort of work that can be done. I will be running a workshop for interested teachers from the area later in the year to show them the potential of the machine and to work out ways of accessing it,” Mr Dorman said.

“Anyone who would like to see or buy some of the amazing works that the students have made can join us at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery for our annual Sculpture Exhibition and Auction. The exhibition will open on the 24th of November and close with an auction of the works at 6pm on Thursday the 8th of December,” Mr Dorman said.

The Veolia Mulwaree Trust will contribute more than $190,000 in grants and donations to community groups throughout the region through its latest funding distribution held last month. Nineteen organisations, including sporting clubs, emergency service organisations, schools and universities, will benefit from the funding. The new projects announced today include:

The Robertson Burrawang Rovers Soccer Club was successful in its application for the Hampden Park Field Lighting Upgrade Project in Robertson. The Trust will support the $66,000 project with a grant of $32,900. The project will be auspiced by Wingecarribee Shire Council and will enable extended use of the field complex by local sporting groups.

SnowyHydro SouthCare has received a donation of $50,000 to support the aero-medical and rescue helicopter service which services much of the Southern NSW region. Snowy Hydro South Care provides emergency medical services in some of the more isolated locations throughout the region, having undertaken more than 4000 missions in the past 13 years.

The Trust will join with Upper Lachlan Shire Council and the Crookwell Lions Club on a project at the Kiamma Creek Reserve in the heart of Crookwell. The Kiamma Creek Toilet Block & Landscaping project will create a park for passive recreation for local residents and visitors. The Trust will contribute $32,108 to the $80,000 project.

Also in Crookwell, the Crookwell and District Tennis Association was successful in its application for a grant of $27,000 toward the cost of new synthetic playing surfaces on three courts at the Crookwell Tennis Complex on Grange Road.

The Sussex Inlet Cancer Support Group, auspiced by the Sussex Inlet Men’s Shed, has received a grant of $8,460 for a project to provide a loan pool of equipment to support cancer patients. Equipment to be made available includes three mobility scooters and a massage table.

The Trust will continue to support the ANU Medical School, Rural Clinical School via the Veolia Mulwaree Trust Rural Doctor Scholarship in 2012. As in previous years the $6000 scholarship will be administered by the Australian National University and the successful student will undertake training at the Goulburn Base Hospital and other district hospitals, gaining experience of life and work in a rural area. Pictured left, are the trustees Paul Stephenson and John Reynolds, with the three ANU Rural Doctor Students who received the Veolia Mulwaree Trust scholarships in 2011, Mina Nafari, Aajuli Shukla & Sarah Simpson.

The Trust will also continue its tertiary scholarship program in 2012 by financially supporting scholarships for local students through the Illawarra Institute of TAFE, University of Canberra, University of Wollongong and Charles Sturt University. $6000 will be provided to each education facility to offer a range of scholarships for the coming year.

A project to resurface the courts at the Exeter Tennis Club will be completed with the Trust contributing $1550 to the project, adding to fundraising by the Club and funds provided by Wingecarribee Shire Council.

Braidwood Community Gardens, auspiced by the Braidwood Urban Landcare Group, will receive a donation of $1000 to provide equipment and plants to establish the new community garden.

Bowral High School has received a donation of $1000 to support its Independent Learning Centre which aims to support students who are disengaging from education and at risk of leaving school.

The Goulburn Teapot Club, which supports the Southern Tablelands Autism Support Group, received a $1000 donation to help fund its annual Autism Conference to be held in Goulburn.

A donation of $1000 to the Berry and District Garden Club helped to fund the annual Gardens Clubs Australia Zone Friendship Day held in Berry.

The Thirlmere Rural Fire Brigade will purchase a new computer and printer to assist in its administration with a donation of $1,000 from the Trust.

The Oaks Historical Society Inc will purchase new equipment to assist its volunteers and community members who are interested in preserving local history following a donation of $1,000.

Jervis Bay Christian Community School will receive a donation of $1000 to help fund the “Fast Forward” program for special needs students.

Crookwell Combined Emergency Services, auspiced by the Crookwell Rural Fire Brigade, will hold a “Sudden Impact “ exercise to increase community awareness of the after-effects of reckless driving amongst young drivers. The Trust will donate $1,000 toward the event.

The Veolia Mulwaree Trust is currently accepting applications for its final funding round for 2011 which closes on October 5. Not-for-profit organisations and community groups interested in applying are encouraged to download the guidelines and application form or call (02) 48222786 for further information.

Goulburn Tennis Club has now completed the upgrading of all ten court surfaces from granite to synthetic grass, a project which has been ongoing for more than two decades. An official opening was held on Sunday September 18 with many club members enjoying lovely Spring weather to celebrate their achievement with a game or two on the new courts and luncheon.

The Goulburn Tennis Club members thanked the Veolia Mulwaree Trust for providing a grant of $24,000 for the final upgrade to be complete. The Club itself had raised over $40,000, a significant achievement for any regional sporting complex. The two courts have already been utilised by members and local school children participating in lessons and sports programs.

Club President, Richard Hailston, said “Goulburn can now promote itself as a fully functional tennis facility to the community, Tennis NSW and Tennis Australia for inclusion in sanctioned events which will benefit the Goulburn district.”

The unsafe granite surface which required significant maintenance and watering has been replaced with a modern, low maintenance surface. These two courts are once again safe and ready to be included in schedule of play for regular competitions, tournaments and are available for the club members and community to use.

A new picnic shelter and timber seat have been installed at the Yarra Recreation Reserve with the assistance of a $2860 Veolia Mulwaree Trust grant. Secretary/Treasurer, Kerrie Brown, said the new facilities have already been used by locals and passing travellers with many positive comments received. Mrs Brown said “The area has become a very pleasant and ‘user friendly’ venue for locals and passing travellers. The addition of the picnic shelter and wooden seat has created an inviting and welcoming place to relax. The generosity of the Veolia Mulwaree Trust in supporting community projects with funding grants is greatly appreciated by the residents of the Yarra area.”

Pictured are members of the local mothers group at the picnic shelter at Yarra.

New walkways have greatly improved conditions for players at the Goulburn Golf Club. The Trust has recently assisted the Club with a grant of $10,040 following a successful application from the Goulburn Golf Club Lady Members Golfing Committee. Concerned for their elderly players, the Committee sought funding assistance to construct safer paths in several areas around the course. The grant enabled three paths totalling 292 square metres to be constructed.

Ladies President at the Club, Annette Smith, said that the benefits of this project extended to club members, charity day organisations and the many visitors and inter-district clubs who visit Goulburn and the course.

Pictured celebrating completion of the paths project at the Club recently are, from left, Ladies Captain Gail Moroney, Veolia Mulwaree Trust trustee Cr Geoff Kettle, contractor Gary Privett, Ladies President Annette Smith, Goulburn Golf Club Manager Bob Kirk and golfer Betty Ferguson.

A recent donation to Sailability Callala from the Trust has helped the committed volunteer group provide the opportunity for people to experience sailing who would otherwise be unable to do so. Sailability Callala President Malcolm Cameron said the donation was used to acquire a basic wheelchair and some larger wheels (pictured right). The wheelchair was then converted to a ‘beach wheelchair’ by the group’s ’dad’s army’ volunteers.

“The wheelchair is now suitable to transfer our mobility challenged members from their own wheelchair across the beach to the water’s edge to lifting into the club’s boats,” Mr Cameron said.

“The remainder of the funds donated were put towards the replacement for a broken mast for one of the club’s sailing boats for disabled members.

“Our ‘wheelie’ members convey their thanks as do our volunteers, who in the past have carried disabled members across the beach.

“We know ourselves that we provide worthwhile support for the disabled community wanting to either sail competitively or for fun and an on-water experience for the severely disabled.

“Knowing that others also care and support what we do means much more than the dollar value of any donation,” Mr Cameron said.

The Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong and the Bowral Lions Club have united to build a new storage shed. Their aim was to significantly increase the storage area and efficiency of the two service clubs involved. The new shed will enable the clubs to better store equipment, such as barbeque trailers and tools, with which the members serve the community through their many activities.

Secretary of the Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong, Trevor Fair, said the wider community has benefitted “as two of the main service clubs in the Wingecarribee, Rotary and Lions, will be able to provide more efficient and effective service to the community, as well as ensuring the equipment used on service projects is maintained in a serviceable and cleanly manner.  These efficiencies will flow onto the wider community in numerous ways.”

The service clubs used a grant of $16,695 from the Trust along with $8,693 funds raised from their ‘mega’ auction, and other donations to complete the project. Trust Chairman Paul Stephenson, pictured above, was on hand at the official opening to congratulate the clubs on their efforts.

Funds provided to the Veolia Mulwaree Trust by Veolia Environmental Services have once again been put to good use. The Taralga Golf Club was successful in obtaining a grant from the Veolia Mulwaree Trust. Graham Lambert, Club President, wrote to say “if it had not been for this grant the club would have found it all but impossible to have maintained the course in a playable condition and ultimately, it would have led to the closure of the course. This would have been a disappointing and unacceptable outcome after the many years of planning and hard work by the foundation committee who transformed a travelling stock reserve into a golf course.

“At the time of the grant the club was battling to re-establish a playable golf course of which the community could be proud. A hardworking band of volunteers were struggling to keep mowing equipment in working order. Thankfully the Trust provided a grant of $12,602 which enabled us to purchase a second hand tractor and a new Berends 3 mtr razor cut pasture topper. The improvement on the condition of the golf course has been amazing. We have been able to demonstrate to the Lands Department that we are good custodians of the land and as a result they have created a Reserve Trust to manage the land.

“The course is regularly played on by local members and visitors. The most noted of our visitors being John Odell, Course Superintendent of The Royal Sydney Golf Club along with Course Superintendents Dave Warwick from Avondale, Richard Kirkdy from Pennant Hills, Mark Parker from Concord, Michael Bradbery from Manly and Dan Cook from Elanora. Dan spent some time as the assistant course superintendent of the famous Augusta National, home of the US Masters. All enjoyed a round of golf at Taralga and said they would like to revisit.

The Goulburn Cycle Club now has an attractive and functional facility for training and equipment storage which will provide a great boost for cycling as a sport in the local region, just in time to capitalise on the growing interest in cycling in Australia.

The Club’s new building, located next to the Seiffert Oval Velodrome in Victoria Park, has recently been completed using a $19,398 Veolia Mulwaree Trust grant, a $12,807 NSW Sport and Recreation grant and the generosity and hard work of committed club members.

The facility provides a single location for the storage and distributionof new loan bikes, which in particular assist younger riders entering the sport, and a collection point for parts and carrying out general bike maintenance.

The Club is now planning to hold learning workshops aimed at newer cyclists and particularly junior members. The club house will also allow the Club to introduce indoor training programs, particularly in the cold winter months.

GCC Vice-President Graeme Northey said the facility has given the Club a new identity. “Goulburn Cycle Club is most appreciative of the generous support from the Veolia Mulwaree Trust without which we would not have been able to construct this major asset,” Mr Northey said.

“Members and people interested in the local history will also be supported in the new facility by the improved storage of pieces of local history relating to cycling,” Mr Northey said.

An official opening of the new facility is planned for 7 January 2012 to cooincide with the major local cycling event, Trackpower.  For more information please visit www.goulburncycleclub.com.au

The Braidwood Lions Club used their recent $1000 donation from the Veolia Mulwaree Trust to purchase a new BBQ and other equipment to help them at their monthly community BBQ. The Lions Club have, for many years, been successfully running a BBQ at the markets in Braidwood on the fourth Saturday of each month. They needed to upgrade their equipment, especially the BBQ. All funds raised are distributed to the local community.

The Club reported to the Trust – “”It is great to have a bigger BBQ to use. We have been struggling for some time with the capacity of our current BBQ and the physical ability of our members to set it up. Many thanks for your support.”

With a grant of $12,137 from the Veolia Mulwaree Trust, Bungendore Public School has fantastic new paved surface on the outside sports court.

Bungendore School P&C President Sharon Baxter-Judge said ”the completed project is a brilliant asset to our growing school. We now have a very safe, even surface that not only looks great but is functional and now safe to play on in all weather conditions.”

The school benefits enormously from the safe new surface. The court is not only used for basketball and netball, but also for PE activities. Local netball clubs & basketball clubs also benefit as they now have another surface on which to train and play.

Learning just got a whole lot more exciting for the students of Picton Public School’s KM and 6B classes, thanks to the addition of interactive whiteboards. Picton Public School students and teachers thanked the Veolia Mulwaree Trust at a special assembly in July, for the funding of $14,447.40 for the two new interactive whiteboards. The grant matched funds raised by the school’s hardworking Parents and Friends Committee providing four new interactive whiteboards at the school, bring the total number to 11.

Principal Lyn Fraser said with the support of Veolia Mulwaree Trust more students had the chance to learn through interactive technology.

“We were very pleased to show our gratitude at our assembly and to also demonstrate the interactive whiteboard in the classroom. Through the support of the Veolia Mulwaree Trust, more Picton Public School students have been given the opportunity to be involved with cutting edge technology which opens up the world to them,” Mrs Fraser said.

P and C program coordinator, Donna Duck, said “every year we raise money to purchase as many of the boards as we can – they are $7000 each so we are very lucky to have been given these two. What’s really good about it is that it draws out kids who don’t normally like to participate in group activities and gives them a fun way to get involved and they actually want to participate.”

The Veolia Mulwaree Trust has been delighted to be able to provide a grant to such an active Parents and Friends Committee and positive school community.

 With the recent purchase of a truck for its Family Store, Goulburn’s Salvation Army can better serve the local community. The Veolia Mulwaree Trust contributed $5,000 and was proud to join with the Lions Club of Goulburn City, Rotary Club of Goulburn Argyle and Goulburn Workers Club to purchase the van.  The Salvation Army is now able to move furniture, white goods and all sorts of bulky items to and from its charity store.

The Salvation Army Goulburn Corps have been running the family store for nearly three decades and needed a suitable truck. The truck is needed to enable the pick up and delivery of unwanted/surplus goods that are then recycled to the needy in the community either at no cost or very low cost.

The Family Store helps the community care for itself in two ways; by recycling unwanted goods and supplying recycled clothes, furniture, bricabrac to the low income people in the community at a price they can afford.

Pictured at the recent commissioning celebration are the local sponsors with the Salvation Army Corps Officer and Store Manager.

Milton Ulladulla Tennis Association have improved their complex with a new pathway funded by a $6320 grant from the Veolia Mulwaree Trust. This pathway will provide a great entrance to three courts and will extend the life of the courts by allowing better run-off. “Our club would like to thank you for your generous grant. Without organisations assisting us, these jobs take years to achieve,”  said the Club’s Junior Development Officer, Vicki Sydenham.

MUDTA (Milton Ulladulla District Tennis Association) Newsletter informed its members that the total cost for this project was $10,320. “We are extremely grateful to the Veolia Mulwaree Trust who awarded us a grant of $6,320 to help cover the costs and the balance was paid from our accumulated funds. It is your club and court fees that help your Committee to provide facilities for all to enjoy. This latest improvement will facilitate drainage away from courts 5 & 6 so that we may overcome the moss problem we have on those courts. It will also provide a dry seating area for spectators. We hope you appreciate and enjoy this latest improvement.”

The Veolia Mulwaree Trust has been proud to contribute to the Caroline Chishom mosaic unveiled recently by Governor General Quentin Bryce at Ss Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral in Goulburn. The mosaic was created by artist Nola Diamantopooulos as part of the Cathedral’s multi-million dollar restoration project. Around 1000 people gathered on the northern face of Australia’s only greenstone cathedral to see the mosaic unveiled. Some 875,000 tiles depict Caroline Chisholm’s life and work as a humanitarian helping poor emigrants. While enhancing the Verner Street facade,  the mosaic also replaces windows which had been previously concreted to protect the Cathedral’s organ from weather fluctuations.