Finance Policy Committee - 3 Mar 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Council backs several community groups with small grants and donations
  Multiple local organisations received council funding for events, training and outreach, while some requests were reduced.
  The decisions affect grassroots community activity, local services and volunteer-run organisations across Orange.
• Festival funding refused, while agriculture conference receives visitor economy support
  Council declined funding for one July festival but approved support for a national agriculture conference.
  The decision shows how council is allocating limited event funding between local liveability events and visitor economy opportunities.

Decisions

• Separate consideration of donation items
  The committee resolved to hear and vote on the community donation items separately.
  This allowed each funding request to be assessed on its own merits rather than bundled together.
• Donation to CWA Central Western Group
  Council approved a $500 donation to the Country Women's Association Central Western Group for the Public Speaking Competition.
  Supports a local community event that encourages participation and public speaking.
• Donation to Orange Lacemakers
  Council approved a $500 donation to Orange Lacemakers for beginner lace-making lessons and portable stands for demonstrations.
  Helps preserve and showcase a local craft group and supports community participation.
• Donation to Anson Street School
  Council approved a $2,000 donation to Anson Street School to help fund Year 7-8 students attending workshops with local artists selected by Arts OutWest.
  Supports student access to arts education and local cultural activities.
• Donation to Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network
  Council approved $283 for branded tablecloths to use at community events.
  Assists a local prevention network with public outreach and awareness activities.
• Reduced donation to Orange United Sports Club
  Council reduced the proposed donation from $2,500 to $1,250 for a ball machine to support inclusive goalkeeper training.
  Provides some support for local sport training equipment, but at a lower amount than originally proposed.
• Reduced donation to Lions Club of Orange
  Council reduced the proposed donation from $2,148 to $1,074 for specialised medical equipment.
  Provides partial funding for community service equipment that may assist local health-related support efforts.
• Back to Buckinbah Festival funding refused
  Council did not approve $5,000 in Liveability Stream funding for Back to Buckinbah Festival - July 2026.
  The festival did not receive this round of council funding, which may affect event delivery or scale.
• Funding approved for Australian Women in Agriculture conference
  Council approved $1,250 under the Visitor Economy Stream for the Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference on 27-29 July 2026.
  Supports an event likely to bring visitors and activity to the local area.

Discussion

• Community grants and donations
  The meeting mainly dealt with multiple small grant and donation requests to local community, arts, sport and service organisations.
  These decisions affect local groups that deliver events, training, and outreach in the community.
• Liveability and visitor economy funding streams
  The committee considered one application under the Liveability Stream and one under the Visitor Economy Stream.
  These funding programs can influence local events, tourism activity and community benefit.

Impacts

• Some local organisations received modest council financial support for events, equipment and programs.
• Orange United Sports Club and Lions Club of Orange received reduced amounts compared with the original requests.
• Back to Buckinbah Festival did not receive council funding in this round.
• The Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference received partial support, which may assist local visitor economy activity.

Places

• Orange (town)
  Primary locality for all funding decisions and the committee meeting.
• Orange United Sports Club (community sports club)
  Received a reduced donation for training equipment.
• Anson Street School (school)
  Received funding support for student arts workshops.
• Country Women's Association Central Western Group (community organisation)
  Received funding for a public speaking competition.
• Orange Lacemakers (community arts group)
  Received funding for beginner lace-making lessons and display stands.
• Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network (community organisation)
  Received funding for branded tablecloths for events.
• Lions Club of Orange (service club)
  Received a reduced donation for specialised medical equipment.
• Back to Buckinbah Festival (event)
  Funding request was refused for the July 2026 festival.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 3 MARCH 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:58PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr S Peterson (Chairperson), Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Acting Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services (Stanford), Acting Director Technical Services (Theakstone), Chief Financial Officer, Manager Corporate Governance, Governance Officer (Robinson) 1.1 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE Nil. 1.2 DECLARATION OF PECUN...