Council awarded funds to 34 community organisations, groups and sporting bodies at a formal presentation last week at the Robert (Bob) Hooper Community Centre, which will be used for important initiatives and events for the Oberon area. 

Donations amounted to $25,061 made by Oberon Council, along with an extra $29,150 contributed for in-kind donations. 

Black Springs Public, Burraga Public, Oberon High, St Joseph’s Catholic and O’Connell Public Schools have all received a donation from council to assist with their annual presentation nights. 

Black Springs Public also received funding to assist with the installation of an outdoor kitchen and Burraga Public accepted funding to assist with the implementation of iPad technology in the classroom. Burraga Public School and Burraga Bugs Playgroup were very pleased to receive a donation from council. 

The Oberon Showground Trust received funding to assist with sewerage charges, the RSL Sub Branch War Memorial received funding to assist with water charges, consumption and payment of their land rates. The Oberon Masonic Centre was also given funding to assist with payment of their business and residential rates. The Oberon and District Museum Society Inc received funding to assist with cataloguing and restoring historic photographs in the museum. 

Lifeline Central West was presented with a donation to assist towards their much needed telephone counsellor training. 

The Oberon Men’s Shed received a donation to assist with the day-to-day expenses incurred with running the facility, including insurance and rental fees, and the Friends of the Oberon Library Inc received a donation towards their Waste to Art Competition for 2014. 

The Oberon Show Society accepted a donation towards the annual Miss Showgirl Competition for the 2014 Oberon Show. The Central Tablelands Industry Links group received funding towards Work Placement Programs and TAFE qualifications for students. 

Life Education NSW received assistance towards the purchasing of classroom books for 500 children in the Oberon LGA and the Western Region Academy of Sport received funding to assist with the ongoing operational costs of the academy. 

Central West based community organisation Evans Community Options accepted a donation to assist with their Neighbour Aid and Social Support Program. The organisation is run by a committed group of local volunteers who provide a range of services to enable people to live independently at home and participate fully in their community.

 The Can Assist Oberon Branch received funding for ongoing expenditure and the Country Women’s Association accepted a donation to assist with their public speaking contest.\

 To assist with the ongoing commitment to sport and recreation in our local community, Oberon Junior Rugby League received a donation towards their annual presentation day, Oberon Junior Hockey Club received funding to assist with the construction of goals at the indoor sports centre, and Oberon Tigers Rugby League Club received a donation towards the purchasing of commemorative jerseys. 

Oberon Netball Club were given a donation to help with the replace of their damaged uniforms and Oberon United Football Club received funding towards sponsorship. 

An in-kind contribution was made to the Oberon Heritage and Collectors Club to assist with the running of the annual Highland Steam and Vintage Fair event. The Heritage Rail Group also received an in-kind donation to assist with excavator hire costs, and Oberon Golf Club were thrilled to receive an in-kind donation to assist with plant maintenance costs and water costs. 

The Bathurst Harness Racing Club received a donation towards the Oberon Community Harness Racing Night and Oberon Tarana Heritage Rail Inc was very pleased to receive a donation towards connecting electricity to rolling stock shed.