As we tie a bow on this year and look forward to the next, we’re embracing the season of good will to reflect on the positive impact we’ve delivered across southern Victoria through sponsorship.
Manager, Communication, Strategy and Business Planning Gemma Abela said Southern Rural Water was proud to support local communities.
“We’ve helped eight organisations in 2024 through sponsorship and participation in community events,” she said.
“From promoting female leadership in agribusiness in Gippsland, getting new gear for Wellington Toy Library and backing local cultural events, to installing a new water fountain at Maffra Bowls Club and helping Manor Lakes College fund their school sustainability project, our support has allowed them to make a real difference.”
We wanted to showcase the organisations we’ve worked with and celebrate what they’re doing to bring new opportunities and create social cohesion in our communities.
Education is fundamental to giving people the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and it’s why the past two years, we’ve been proud to sponsor the St Michael’s of Heyfield Primary School Duck Cup.
Our support is important because the school is small and without help, school families would be required to fundraise more often.
Sponsorship money has helped make continual improvements to the school, its facilities and equipment and been used to buy new sports equipment, a kitchen for cooking classes, library books, new classroom readers, playground equipment, music equipment and classroom televisions to name a few.
Sport has the power to improve a person’s physical and mental health and build community connectivity through inclusion and shared goals. It’s why we’ve backed the Maffra Cricket Club and Maffra Bowls Club.
Bowls Club President Phill Clifford said Southern Rural Water’s sponsorship has helped towards the cost of purchasing and installing a refrigerated drinking fountain.
“Cool, clean and accessible water will make a real difference, particularly in summer, for our 150 members as well as the teams who travel here for tournaments,” he said.
“We do not have pokies and rely entirely on sponsorships, grants, membership and tournament fees for our income. So, we’re grateful to Southern Rural Water for helping us out,” he said.
Cricket Club President Sam McLaverty said sponsorship has helped them to keep membership costs down and make it more affordable for people to participate in cricket.
“We want the club to be a family orientated place where boys and girls, men and women from all background are welcome to play,” he said.
“A tough economic climate means membership can be challenging for some families and sponsorship money goes a long way to helping us keep fees low. So, thank you for helping us keep sport affordable for locals,” he said.
Rotary Club of Maffra President Claire Cochrane said sponsorship from local businesses was vital to running the much-loved annual Mardi Gras event.
“The Mardi Gras is a flagship event that brings everyone together in a carnival like atmosphere with face-painting, a petting zoo, music, a street parade and food and craft stalls,” she said.
“Thanks to sponsorship, we can provide free kids entertainment and enable the whole community to participate regardless of their economic circumstances. It’s a joy to see so many smiling faces at the Mardi Gras and we thank Southern Rural Water for their contribution,” she said.
The Wellington Toy Library is a volunteer run, not for profit organisation that has been serving Sale surrounds for over 40 years. This year we helped them buy a new water play table and reuseable children’s party packs to help local parent move away from single use items.
Wellington Toy Library President Angela Reynolds said our sponsorship has allowed them to continue delivering equipment and services that promote sustainability, connection and learning.
“Water play isn’t just fun for small kids, it helps them explore important science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) concepts like density and volume early in life,” she said.
“The water table is already a favourite with members and the party packs are helping us reduce landfill waste and saving our members money,” he said.
Closer to Melbourne, we partnered with urban water corporations Greater Western Water and Wannon Water to co-sponsor the National Water Week school prize for sustainability.
National Water Week is an Australia-wide initiative that inspires individuals, communities, and organisations to build awareness around the value of water.
This year, Manor Lakes College in Wyndam Vale earned a $500 prize for their creativity in producing posters that encourage more resourceful care and use of water. These funds will be used towards developing a sustainability project at the school.
Staying in the Wyndam area, Frith Littleford from the Wyndam Community and Education Centre said our sponsorship has been incredibly important to the success of the Wyndham Learning Festival.
The Wyndham Learning Festival is an annual series of events and provides opportunities for free learning activities across the City of Wyndham.
“It’s helped us deliver events that are inclusive, engaging, and impactful. Partnerships like this are vital to keeping the festival free and accessible to everyone in Wyndham,” she said.
“We’re so grateful for Southern Rural Water’s support and the positive impact it has made on our community.”
Ms Abela encouraged local community groups, charity or not-for-profit organisations in a rural or regional area in southern Victoria, to look at Southern Rural Water’s sponsorship criteria to see if their initiative or project could be eligible to apply for sponsorship.
“Whether it’s community events, fundraisers or charitable projects, we are interested to financially support initiatives that enhance community cohesion and social connectedness – the things that bind local communities we work in together.”
More information is available on our sponsorship page.