By Jessica Anstice and Roman Kulkewycz
The inaugural Melbourne Cup Lexus Tour National Sweep for 2019 which was won by Bunyip saw the $50,000 prize money distributed to local clubs and organisations at Bunyip Community House on Wednesday 14 December.
Bunyip Community House president, Charlie Helyar said that the application on behalf of the community house was made by a representative of the Football Club and the funds were in fact won by them.
In appreciation for the Community Houses’ on going work for the community, the football club has provided the community house with $10,000 to be divided up amongst the
community.
“As you can imagine, we’ve been inundated with requests for a share of the full $50,000 but unfortunately we have no further control over how that is used,” Mr Helyar said.
“We have taken all of the requests received very seriously and decided the breakdown.”
Bunyip Fire Brigade were given $5000 of the prize money, with Mr Helyar saying it “deserves our utmost respect” and the community house hopes to support the volunteer fire fighters further with fundraising activities.
One thousand dollars was handed to the Tomimbuk Hall committee as it is still home to the Bunyip bushfire recovery committee.
“We could spend the money on a new front fence or it could go towards a community event after the recovery centre finishes,” Tonimbuk Hall committee president Jon Martindale said.
“To be honest the community probably hasn’t used the hall enough for community type things – it’s been used for birthday parties and events like that but after this current use the communities has become used to using the hall and I think that it is likely to continue.”
The community hall handed $1000 to the Bunyip Soccer Club for the purchase of furniture for its new facility.
Another $1000 was awarded to Bunyip Hillview Lifestyle program for the purchase of a new printer and camera.
Bunyip Tennis Club and Bunyip Netball club both received $500 each for allowing use of their facilities for Blazeaid during the bushfires in March.
The community house received $1000 to support current programs and to run more in the future.
