Dear Editor,
In this week's "Weekend Australian" it was reported on page 2 a list of recipients of the Federal Government's Round 3 of Sports Grants that the Deputy Leader of the Federal National Party has become embroiled in controversy.
Among the Grants listed was $475,000 granted to the Eurobodalla Shire Council.
I found this intriguing as it was the only Non-sporting organisation listed as to receive a grant.
My question(s) is(are):
1) Is this factually correct?
2) If so why was a Shire Council granted almost half a million dollars rather than individual sporting clubs/organisations?
3) Where has the money been spent and to whose benefit of has it disappeared into the ESC coffers?
I would hope that every dollar was passed onto all worthy sporting clubs in the Shire but the story does make one wonder.
Andrew Gordon
EDITORS NOTE:
Andrew,
For your information.
On April 11th, 2019, just 10 days after Ann Sumalis delivered a cheque to Eurobodalla Council for $25M for the Mackay Park project under the Federal Regional Growth Scheme (that is now embroiled in its own controversy) Senator Bridget McKenzie, Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government & Decentralisation with Nationals candidate for Gilmore Katrina Hodgkinson visited the Eurobodalla to make an announcement in the lead up to the Federal election.
$475,000 announced for Eurobodalla netball and Captain Oldrey Park
Broulee and Moruya saw a visit yesterday by Senator Bridget McKenzie, Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government & Decentralisation with Nationals candidate for Gilmore Katrina Hodgkinson Ms Hodgkinson said “I was delighted to be joined by Senator McKenzie for a tour of the electorate “Senator McKenzie is the deputy leader of the Federal National Party and the Minister for may things regional including education , sport and regional health and decentralisation “It was the ministers first visit to the Gilmore electorate and she found it very beautiful as she travelled the length from the north to the south nearly to the south edge of the electorate. “We inspected hospitals at Shoahaven and Moruya and met with Dr Michael Holland to learn more of the proposed new regional hospital for the Eurobodalla”
The pair also called into the Captain Oldrey Park netball facilities (above) to meet with the Treasurer of the Eurobodalla Netball Association, Michelle Robinson to inform her of the Federal Government announcement of a $475,000 investment towards the upgrade of the Eurobodalla Regional Netball Facility.
VIDEO: Senator Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government & Decentralisation with Nationals candidate for Gilmore Katrina Hodgkinson and Eurobodalla Council's Director Community, Arts and Recreation Services, Kathy Arthur
In making the announcement the Minister said the investment for the netball facility at Broulee will support Eurobodalla Council’s plans for major upgrades to the facilities and amenities and contribute to promoting sporting activity in the region.
“We were delighted to be able to announce $475,000 for Captain Oldrey Park to upgrade the netball courts and to assist with upgrades of the club house and soccer fields meeting with ESC project managers and the local Eurobodalla Netball Association to let them know the good news and they were delighted to say the least. “We will be meeting with netballers at Captain Oldrey Park in a few weeks time to share the good news after the school holidays” said the Nationals candidate for Gilmore.
