Kurrajong Heights Bowling and Recreation Club and Bilpin Shed are among the winners from the recent round of Federal Government Stronger Communities funding.
Of the $150,000 allocated to the Macquarie electorate, the club received $19,4000 to install a new air-conditioning system, while the shed has received $6000 to establish a community garden on the club grounds.
Macquarie MP Susan Templeman said she was pleased to see each gain a slice of the funds.
"These two projects are practical and needed and will continue to help provide a comfortable and welcoming place for this close-knit community to come together, which is so important after the huge impact of the 2019-20 bushfires," she said.
Ms Templeman said the club had done without air-conditioning for quite some time.
"This new funding will help decommission and remove the old system and install a new one," she said. "Having the air-conditioning installed will make for a much better environment for the community who hold many meetings at the club.
"Bilpin Shed will use its money to establish a 30m by 60m community garden within the club grounds for use by those living in the surrounding area and I've been pleased to see progress in recent weeks.
"The garden will give people the oppportunity to propagate, grow and share organic food crops in raised beds, allowing access for disabled and elderly people and encouraging people to connect with those around them."
Other Hawkesbury groups to received funding included:
- St Albans School of Arts Hall - $16,000 for a hybrid solar system for clean energy production;
- Governor Macquarie Memorial Pipe Band - $3,200 for new drum stands to be used by junior members;
- Merana Aboriginal Community Association for the Hawkesbury Inc - $5,000 for a yarning circle and bush tucker garden;
- St John Ambulance Hawkesbury Division - $4,400 for replacement of a roller door at its Hawkesbury Showground premises;
- Hawkesbury Hornets BMX Club - $15,000 for provision of a new start gate in anticipation of hosting the state championships;
- Hawkesbury City Netball Association - $20,000 undercover sheltered area for Mileham Street netball courts; and
- Bligh Park Community Services - $20,000 for a building upgrade.
Ms Templeman said there were nearly $1 million in applications assessed by her independent panel when apportioning the funds.
She has appealed to the government to consider raising the funding so more groups can be included in future rounds.
