A program to pay tribute to SA firefighters will get state funding through the government’s Fund My Ideas grants program.
The Limestone Coast region initiative will get $20,000 towards the establishment of a memorial wall in Naracoorte paying tribute those volunteer firefighters who lost their lives while fighting fires in SA.
Fund My Idea gives regional communities up to $50,000 for local projects with the community able to vote on which projects secure funding.
A round of the program is held to coincide with each Country Cabinet meeting.
The region will also receive $30,000 for Gener8 Theatre, a program working with young people and community groups to use theatre as a way of raising awareness of the harm caused by the drug Ice.
Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock said 39 ideas were put forward during the Limestone Coast round of the program with two winners chosen for funding.
“Funding for Gener8 will also help support programs targeted at migrant groups, people living with a disability and members of the region’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer community,” he said.
The projects for the Barossa, Light and Lower North round have also been announced, with 46 project ideas submitted.
“In this round, $20,000 will go to the Kind Hearted Kitchen – a great initiative that helps provide nutritious meals to people doing it tough in the Barossa community,” Mr Brock said.
“(Another) $30,000 will go towards a partnership between South Australian tourism identity Andrew “Cosi” Costello and the Light Regional Council to plant trees to beautify tourist routes leading into the region.”
Mr Brock congratulated the winning projects and thanked those who took time to vote.
“Fund My Idea is a great program that gets South Australians more involved in government decision-making,” Mr Brock said.
“(These project) brings out the creativity and passion of people living in regional areas, and provides a great opportunity to develop programs that can make a real difference in those regions.
“Funding through this initiative goes to programs put forward by the community, run locally and, ultimately, voted on by the community.”
