community services · Orange City Council
Orange Council backs small grants for events, culture and sport
Orange City Council approved a round of community donations at its 2 June Finance Policy Committee meeting, including $2,500 each for Orange Triathlon, the Orange Regional Malayalee Association and Charles Sturt University.
Orange City Council approved a string of small community payments at its Finance Policy Committee meeting on 2 June in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre on Byng Street, Orange. The committee also backed event sponsorship funding and changed how it will report on two council activities.
The donations included $500 to City of Orange Eisteddfod Society Inc for a senior scholarship, $2,500 to Orange Triathlon for the Orange Triathlon Club’s 10th annual Juniors Triathlete Weekend at Gosling Creek Reserve in November 2026, and $2,500 to Orange Regional Malayalee Association for an Onam cultural celebration.
Council also approved $2,500 for Charles Sturt University to deliver its “Bright Minds, Healthy Brains” community brain-health awareness program across Orange, and $280 to The Rotary Club of Orange North to cover staff salary costs linked to a school science event.
A proposed $2,500 donation to the Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association for the inaugural NSW Dohne Prime Lamb Schools Competition lapsed because there was no mover or seconder. One other item was withdrawn.
The committee also agreed to fund The Santa Arrival Parade on 28 November 2026 up to $5,000, and The Gig, a Heavy Music event on 4 and 5 September 2026, up to $10,000 including any in-kind contributions.
Cr Peterson asked whether these were the final Small Donations requests for the financial year. The Director Corporate & Commercial Services said this was the last submission round, and that any approved amount would be taken from the remaining Events Sponsorship budget if there were not enough funds left. Next year’s budget would not be affected.
Cr McDonell also questioned whether approving the $280 for The Rotary Club of Orange North was a donation for an event that had already taken place. The director said the type of donation would be compliant with the updated policy due to come into effect in a few weeks, but it did not comply with the current policy.
In a separate resolution, councillors agreed to stop preparing and externally auditing Special Purpose Financial Statements for Child Care and Caravan Park activities from the 2025/2026 financial year onwards.
The committee accepted an apology from Cr J Whitton and granted leave of absence. The meeting closed at 6.42pm.
Reference minutes
Orange City Council Finance Policy Committee minutes, 2 June 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Orange City Council approved $500 for City of Orange Eisteddfod Society Inc.
- Orange Triathlon received $2,500 for its juniors triathlete weekend at Gosling Creek Reserve in November 2026.
- Orange Regional Malayalee Association received $2,500 for an Onam cultural celebration.
- Charles Sturt University received $2,500 for the “Bright Minds, Healthy Brains” program.
- The Rotary Club of Orange North received $280 tied to staff salary costs for a school science event.
- A proposed $2,500 donation to the Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association lapsed without a mover or seconder.
- Council will cease preparing and externally auditing special purpose financial statements for Child Care and Caravan Park activities from 2025/2026 onwards.
Why it matters
- The committee directed council money to local events, cultural activities, education and volunteering, while also changing reporting for child care and caravan park operations from 2025/2026.