Media Statements - Goldfields groups get Lotteries Commission grants

25/10/00

Racing and Gaming Minister Norman Moore today presented more than $50,000 in Lotteries Commission grants to Goldfields organisations in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

He announced the grants at a Lotteries Commission luncheon for Goldfields community groups and lottery retailers.

The organisations and the grants included:

City of Kalgoorlie Boulder ($24,313) - for improved showers and water supply at the Railway Camp;
Financial Advocacy and Relief Agency ($10,081) - for emergency relief. FARA is a financial counselling service operating from the Lotteries House;
Shire of Coolgardie ($7,000) - a grant to convert and refurbish a building as a youth centre which will be used by the youth club and Youth Advisory Council;
Goldfields Business Enterprise Centre ($4,484) - for computer and office equipment to help the service continue its work in supporting unemployed people into self-employment;
Bega Garnbirringu Health Services ($3,011) - a grant for emergency relief. Bega provides a great health service to Aboriginal people in Kalgoorlie Boulder and outlying areas;
Eastern Goldfields Volunteer Taskforce ($300) - a Christmas cheer grant. The service helps elderly people maintain their independence for as long as possible;
Eastern Goldfields Medical Division of General Practice ($500) - a Christmas cheer grant to buy gifts for patients in hospital on Christmas Day;
Ninga Mia Village Aboriginal Corp ($300) - another Christmas cheer grant to those living at and providing services at the village; and –
Little Sisters of the Poor ($300) - to buy Christmas presents for the residents of the Nursing Home and Hostel.

Mr Moore said he had decided to announce the grants after taking the unusual step of approving them immediately after a Lotteries Commission board meeting in Kalgoorlie this morning.

“Normally the board considers new grant requests at its monthly meeting and makes its recommendations to me,” Mr Moore said.

“However, given the importance of these grants, and the chance for me to make the presentations personally on local territory, I have accepted the advice of the chairman, Lloyd Stewart, and approved the grants today.”

Mr Moore was making his first regional visit with the Lotteries Commission Board in his role as Minister for Racing and Gaming.

He said that over the last two years, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area had benefited from more than $1.3 million in Lotteries Commission grants.

There had also been four Division 1 winners in Kalgoorlie-Boulder this year - two in the past month - winning a total of $3,447,316.

Mr Moore said that 2000 had also been a significant year for the Lotteries Commission.

It was the 21st anniversary of the launch of Lotto and it had given its 1.5 billionth dollar - significantly, that dollar had gone towards blankets for the State’s needy.

“Every time our players buy a ticket, they’re contributing to the welfare of our community,” Mr Moore said.

“That’s either by way of the direct grants program or the allocations to sport through the State Government’s Sports Lottery Fund.”

Media Contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister’s office – 9321 1444