Approximately $21,500 will go to the successful Community Small Grant applicants and $15,000 to two Major Events Marketing Programs.

Mayor Rowena Abbey said the YVC is committed to supporting local organisations and community groups which provide benefit to the local community. 

“Events such as Classic Yass and Woo Back are fantastic initiatives established by locals that have an enormously positive effect on our community,” Cr Abbey explained. 

The Community Small Grant Program supports initiatives that encourage the development of art and cultural activities, promotional projects and initiatives that improve the community’s access to programs and activities that are related to health and sport.

This year's successful recipients in the Community Small Grants Program are the Yass Antique Motor Club Inc, who received $5,380 for Classic Yass; Yass Heritage Working Horse Association Inc who were awarded $5,000 for Woo Back 2; Yass Runners, who were given $5,000 for the Yass Running Festival; Southern Tablelands Regional Arts, which received $2550 for The Home Front; Cooma Cottage, which was given $2,000 for the development of a five year Strategic Plan and Yass Montessori Pre-School received $1,575 for a Children’s Theatre. 

Montessori Administrator, Kathy Prosser, said that the funding was greatly appreciated. 

“It is wonderful to be able to provide a live theatre show to the kids,” she said.  

“We can now do the two theatre shows for the children, Snow White and Madam Mulch, presented by the Eaton Gorge Theatre Company. 

“This is their second year coming, the grants will cover the entire performance and the marque. It is a fabulous day for the kids, not only is it live theatre exposure, but it’s also free without travel, some kids would never get this opportunity.” 

The Major Events Marketing Program assists with the marketing of events that provide significant destination exposure for the Yass Valley and that contribute to the development of Yass Valley as a tourism destination.

The two successful recipients this year were the Yass Heritage Working Horse Association Inc, who received $10,000 for Woo Back 2, and the Canberra District Wine Industry Association, with $5,000 for the Wine Harvest Festival for 2016. 

The YVC told the Tribune that demand for support was high, with 11 Community Small Grant Program applications, requesting support of close to $50,000 and 5 Major Events Marketing Program applications, totalling $38,210. 

General Manager David Rowe said the YVC would like to thank all applicants for their detailed submissions. 

“While we were unable to assist everyone with their activities I strongly recommend unsuccessful applicants investigate other funding avenues, including State and Federal Governments, philanthropic grant programs or private sponsorship.”

With Yass Valley Council.