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.

Council: Orange City Council

Meeting: 1 Sep 2026 6:00 PM

Recorded status: mixed


BRIEF

Orange City Council’s Finance Policy Committee recorded $20,217 in approved donations for 10 organisations, including $2,000 for the North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade. Carousel Kids’ $1,724 application was deferred to the 1 December 2026 round, while the Orange Regional Malayalee Association’s $2,500 request was deferred for clarification. Orange Chamber Music and the Orange Wine Festival and Show were each approved for $10,000 in event funding, GST-inclusive if applicable.


KEY FACTS

- 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.


ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD

- 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?


RECORDED NEXT STEPS

- 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.


SOURCE PASSAGES

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)


SOURCES

https://orange.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/09/FPC_01092026_MIN_16024.PDF

https://minutesradar.com/news/orange-infocouncil-finance-policy-committee-1-sep-2026-6-00-pm-1-sep-2026-6-00-pm-minutes-north-west-orange-rural-fire-brigade-gets-2-000-a-192a35ab7c/


Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.