Rates & spending · Orange City Council
Ten Orange groups approved for $20,217 in council donations, while two applications wait
North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade was approved for $2,000 for its annual open day, but Carousel Kids and the Orange Regional Malayalee Association had their applications deferred at the 1 September meeting.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
Ten Orange organisations were approved for a combined $20,217 in donations by the Finance Policy Committee on 1 September, including $2,000 for the North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade’s annual open day.
The recorded donation approvals were $1,500 for The Canobolas Highland Pipe Band, $2,500 for Housing Plus, $1,000 for Allegri Singers, $1,220 for Orange Woodworkers Men’s Shed, $2,500 each for Rotary Club of Orange, Orange Older Women’s Network and the Country Education Foundation of Orange and District, $2,000 for Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club Orange, and $2,497 for Midnight on Molloy’s Halloween Display.
Carousel Kids Preloved Market’s $1,724 application was deferred to the next Small Donations round on 1 December 2026. The applicant had told staff it could not attend the meeting and offered to withdraw the application, but the committee recorded a deferral instead.
The committee also deferred the Orange Regional Malayalee Association’s $2,500 request for its Onam festival while it sought clarification from the applicant. The minutes record discussion about an outstanding acquittal for an earlier donation and uncertainty about how often the event was held. Those matters were raised during discussion and were not recorded as findings of wrongdoing.
A separate event funding resolution approved $10,000 for Orange Chamber Music and $10,000 for the Orange Wine Festival and Show, GST-inclusive if applicable. The Chamber Music amount was reduced from the recommended $15,000 by amendment. The minutes list the Chamber Music dates as 11 to 14 March 2027, and the wine festival and show dates as 19 to 24 September and 16 to 25 October 2026.
For Midnight on Molloy, staff advised that the donation did not make Orange City Council the event owner and could not be used for insurance costs. The minutes do not record the organisers’ specific insurance or public liability arrangements.
The committee also received an update on Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club’s proposed change of use for a corner block at Sir Jack Brabham Park. Staff said the club was gathering information required to progress the planning proposal. No approval was recorded at the meeting.
What deserves a closer look
The 10 approved donations total $20,217, not $22,217. The two deferred applications and the separate event funding approvals are excluded from that total.
The donation outcomes were recorded as resolutions, while the event funding outcome changed from the recommendation after an amendment.
The Malayalee Association deferral records a request for clarification, not a rejection or a finding of misconduct.
Questions for follow-up reporting
When will the Orange Regional Malayalee Association provide the requested clarification and have its application reconsidered?
What insurance and public liability arrangements will apply to Midnight on Molloy, given the donation cannot be used for insurance costs?
What information remains outstanding for the Gnoo Blas planning proposal?
When will the Gnoo Blas proposal receive a separate planning decision, if it proceeds?
What happens next
Carousel Kids Preloved Market's application was deferred for consideration in the next Small Donations round on 1 December 2026.
The Orange Regional Malayalee Association's donation request remains deferred pending clarification from the applicant.
Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club was reported to be gathering information required for its change-of-use planning proposal to progress.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
The committee resolved to donate $1,500 to The Canobolas Highland Pipe Band Inc and $2,500 to Housing Plus.
For: 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 Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton RESOLVED - 26/462 Cr G Power/Cr M McDonell 2a) That Council donate $1,500 to The Canobolas Highland Pipe Band Inc to contribute to purchase of additional uniform items for new members and new equipment. For: 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 Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 Page 3 RESOLVED - 26/463 Cr T Greenhalgh/Cr M McDonell 2b) That Council donate $2,500 to Housing Plus to contribute to purchase Shop Local vouchers as prizes for fundraising activities at the White Tie Ball.
Resolutions 26/462 and 26/463
Open original minutes ↗The minutes record a recommended $2,000 donation to Allegri Singers Inc, a carried amendment reducing it to $1,000, and a resolution approving the $1,000 donation.
RECOMMENDATION Cr T Greenhalgh/Cr M McDonell 2c) That Council donate $2,000 to Allegri Singers Inc to contribute to the cost for professional vocal soloists for a major choral and orchestral performance in December 2026. AMENDMENT Cr F Kinghorne/Cr K Duffy 2c) That Council donate $1,000 to Allegri Singers Inc to contribute to the cost for professional vocal soloists for a major choral and orchestral performance in December 2026. For: Cr S Peterson (Chairperson), Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman Against: Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr G Power Absent: Cr J Whitton THE AMENDMENT ON BEING PUT WAS CARRIED AND BECAME THE MOTION. RESOLVED - 26/464 Cr F Kinghorne/Cr K Duffy 2c) That Council donate $1,000 to Allegri Singers Inc to contribute to the cost for professional vocal soloists for a major choral and orchestral performance in December 2026.
Recommendation, amendment and resolution 26/464
Open original minutes ↗Carousel Kids Preloved Market's $1,724 application was deferred to the next Small Donations round, which the director identified as 1 December 2026.
Absent: Cr J Whitton RESOLVED - 26/465 Cr K Duffy/Cr T Mileto 2d) That Council DEFER consideration of the donation of $1,724 to Carousel Kids Preloved Market to contribute to key costs associated with planning, setting up and delivering a preloved children's market to the next round of Small Donation applications. For: 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 Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 Page 4 Cr McDonell asked if the Carousel Kids Preloved Market application will be deferred to the next Finance Policy Committee Meeting or to the next Small Donations application round. The Director Corporate & Commercial Services advised that if it is brought to the next Finance Policy Committee Meeting than it will be out of cycle which goes against the new policy, so it will need to be deferred for consideration in the next round of Small Donations on 1 December 2026.
Resolution 26/465 and follow-up discussion
Open original minutes ↗During discussion of Carousel Kids Preloved Market's deferral, the director said the applicant had advised staff it could not attend the meeting and had offered to withdraw its application.
For: 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 Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 Page 4 Cr McDonell asked if the Carousel Kids Preloved Market application will be deferred to the next Finance Policy Committee Meeting or to the next Small Donations application round. The Director Corporate & Commercial Services advised that if it is brought to the next Finance Policy Committee Meeting than it will be out of cycle which goes against the new policy, so it will need to be deferred for consideration in the next round of Small Donations on 1 December 2026. She noted that the applicant had contacted staff earlier in the day to inform that they would not be able to attend the meeting tonight and offered to withdraw their application. RESOLVED - 26/466 Cr F Kinghorne/Cr G Judge 2e) That Council donate $2,000 to North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade to contribute to their annual Open Day.
Discussion following resolution 26/465
Open original minutes ↗The committee resolved to donate $2,000 to North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade for its annual open day.
She noted that the applicant had contacted staff earlier in the day to inform that they would not be able to attend the meeting tonight and offered to withdraw their application. RESOLVED - 26/466 Cr F Kinghorne/Cr G Judge 2e) That Council donate $2,000 to North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade to contribute to their annual Open Day.
Resolution 26/466
Open original minutes ↗The committee resolved to donate $1,220 to Orange Woodworkers Men's Shed Inc and $2,500 to Rotary Club of Orange Inc.
For: 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 Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton RESOLVED - 26/467 Cr S Peterson/Cr F Kinghorne 2f) That Council donate $1,220 to Orange Woodworkers Men's Shed Inc to purchase a Sorby sharpening system. For: 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 Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton RESOLVED - 26/468 Cr K Duffy/Cr G Judge 2g) That Council donate $2,500 to Rotary Club of Orange Inc to contribute to the cost of running the Orange Sustainable Living Expo.
Resolutions 26/467 and 26/468
Open original minutes ↗The committee resolved to donate $2,500 to Orange Older Women's Network.
For: 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 Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton RESOLVED - 26/469 Cr M McDonell/Cr T Greenhalgh 2h) That Council donate $2,500 to Orange Older Women's Network to contribute to running the Network's activities and community outreach programs.
Resolution 26/469
Open original minutes ↗The Orange Regional Malayalee Association's $2,500 request for the Onam festival was deferred to obtain clarification from the applicant.
RESOLVED - 26/470 Cr S Peterson/Cr T Greenhalgh 2i) That Council DEFER consideration of the donation of $2,500 to Orange Regional Malayalee Association to contribute to the cost of the Onam festival to obtain clarification from the applicant.
Resolution 26/470
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the supplied minutes of the Orange City Council Finance Policy Committee meeting held on 1 September 2026. The minutes record the meeting as commencing at 8:13pm. The supplied record does not specify whether the minutes have been confirmed.
Key facts from the minutes
- The recorded resolutions total $20,217 across 10 approved donations.
- North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade was approved for $2,000 for its annual open day.
- Carousel Kids Preloved Market’s $1,724 application was deferred to the 1 December 2026 Small Donations round.
- The Orange Regional Malayalee Association’s $2,500 application was deferred pending clarification from the applicant.
- Orange Chamber Music and the Orange Wine Festival and Show were each approved for $10,000, GST-inclusive if applicable, after the Chamber Music recommendation was amended down from $15,000.
- The Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club’s Sir Jack Brabham Park change-of-use proposal remained under preparation and was not approved at this meeting.
Why it matters
- The recorded approvals support local cultural, community, education, rural fire and event activities. Two applicants must wait for a later funding decision or provide clarification before their requests can be reconsidered.