PHOTO: Rob Brady, Chris Hague, Ian Cooper, Sally Cross, Jess Cooper and Alex Cooper from Dungowan Tennis Club
are thrilled to receive $5186 in Federal Government funding.
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, is pleased to announce more than $5000 in funding to help revitalise Dungowan Tennis Club – one of the only community-run clay courts still in use in the region.
The club will receive $5186 through the third round of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme to build a concrete retaining wall and replace three external doors at the clubhouse.
The programme is funding 50 per cent of total project costs.
Mr Joyce said these improvements will help mitigate flood damage at the courts and increase the building’s level of security.
“The retaining wall will run the length of the court and prevent water run-off damaging the clay surface,” Mr Joyce said.
“Building this now will help the club save funds later in repairs.
“The club is also replacing a few entry doors, which will not only look better but provide the building with more effective security measures.”
Dungowan Tennis Club President Robert Brady said the funding will allow completion of critical maintenance while also making the facilities a little more “user-friendly”.
“It’s going to make it more inviting for existing members and encourage new people as well,” Mr Brady said.
He said Dungowan’s regular winter and summer tennis competitions provided members with an ongoing opportunity to socialise and strengthen community ties in times of competing priorities and commitments.
Looking ahead, Mr Brady said the club hoped to secure more funding to replace a leaking roof and install a solar-powered pump to reduce operating costs for maintenance of its five clay courts.
The Australian Government has committed $22.5 million for the third round of the Stronger Communities Programme.
Recent local recipients also include Oxley Community Transport ($12,500), Armidale U3A ($3746) and Currabubula Pony Club ($11,344).
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