City of Mount Gambier has endorsed the distribution of $150,650 in funding and $37,546.80 in in-kind support for round one of the 2025/2026 Grants and Sponsorships Program, following a formal resolution at the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 16 September 2025.
The Grants and Sponsorships Program provides financial and in-kind assistance to eligible groups for community events, infrastructure upgrades, arts initiatives, and recreation projects that align with Council’s Strategic Plan.
For the 2025/2026 financial year, Council allocated a total budget of $456,800 in cash and $143,384 in in-kind support. Of this, $291,885 in cash and $95,516 in-kind were pre-allocated to major events and initiatives.
“Some of the events that received a pre-allocation include the Australian Sprint Car Championship, Fringe Berrin, Generations in Jazz, Adelaide Guitar Festival, Pioneers Basketball, Apollo Soccer Club and Substance Misuse Limestone Coast,” City of Mount Gambier Manager Economy, Strategy and Engagement Biddie Shearing said.
Council received 30 applications for round one, across five funding streams:
Applications were assessed during two panel meetings using a structured evaluation matrix, with consideration given to economic impact, community benefit, and long-term sustainability.
“With $164,915 cash and $47,868 in-kind remaining budget available, it was a very difficult decision for the Grants and Sponsorship Assessment Panel, which included elected members and senior staff.”
“Not all applications could be fully funded due to oversubscription, the total requested was $399,067.86 cash and $38,409.98 in-kind.”
Philanthropic foundation Stand Like Stone will receive a $10,000 Community Strengthening Grant to assist the foundation to undertake a digital transformation project to enhance its operational sustainability.
“Stand Like Stone is deeply grateful for the support of Mount Gambier City Council. This investment is a game changer in our digital transformation, helping us adapt to modern technology, safeguard our data, and streamline how we fundraise and engage with donors - strengthening our impact now and for generations to come,” Stand Like Stone chief executive Jason Wallace said.
“The funding will enable development of a new website and the introduction of improved communications and fundraising systems. This project is being delivered with the support of our community, including our technology sponsor Green Triangle Electronics, which has generously donated its expertise pro bono to help drive this transformation.”
“Green Triangle Electronics is proud to support our local community through sponsorship that helps fuel growth and opportunity. It’s a privilege to partner with Stand Like Stone to strengthen the foundation for our community and its future,” GTE Director and Information Technology Manager Matt Cutting said.
The Mount Gambier Disc Golf 2025 Eruption event will receive $5,000 in funds and more than $1,500 in-kind support for its event at the Crater Lakes Disc Golf Park on 29 October to 2 November 2025.
“The annual Eruption tournament has grown to become the pinnacle event on the Australian Disc Golf Tour with this years’ excess of 200 registrations even surpassing the Australian Championships by more than twofold,” Mount Gambier Disc Golf Ryan Nicholson said.
“Mount Gambier Disc Golf recognise the immense impact Council’s Grants and Sponsorship Program has towards this success as well as the tremendous support from local business and community groups.”
“Eruption organisers acquire the scope to direct such funding support back into the community for expenditures like trophies, signwriting, line marking, speaker hire, custom shirts, toilet hire, event catering and prizes plus outsourcing professional disc golf media production for event coverage,” Mr Nicholson said.
South Gambier Football Club will receive $6,650 in cash and $2,164 in-kind support for the 2025 Rodeo.
“Last year the Council Grants and Sponsorship program enabled us to have the event filmed with replays available on the Big Screen for the 2,500 people in attendance and available for viewing online with nearly 3,000 views,” South Gambier Football and Netball Club President Darren Sims said.
“We are thrilled to have Council involved again this year, the funding will help us to continue to improve and grow the event to become a permanent fixture on the Mount Gambier calendar.”
Blue Lake BMX Club will host the 2026 SA State Series Round in March 2026, providing competitive racing opportunities to develop young riders.
“BMX is going to be huge for Australia next year with Brisbane set to host the World Championships in July. Qualifying rounds will be held early next year and we have a few local riders setting their sights towards these events hoping to qualify,” Blue Lake BMX Club Secretary Bree Holland said.
The club will receive a Community Event grant to the value of $1,000 and $529 in-kind support.
“Sponsorship from Council to hold state round events gives our local riders the chance to compete with the best across the state and improve their skills and give them an indication of how they're tracking for their age group if that's what they want to achieve.”
“It's exciting hosting these events because we get a broad range of riders with varying skill levels and some out there just having fun. The funds go towards the medical team we are required by Auscycling to have, and assist the purchase of track equipment and supplies for the weekend. The in-kind donation of council equipment ensures our event keeps everyone safe and organised.”
To support Round Two and quick response grants, Council allocated $90,000 from the 2025/2026 Capacity Building Fund to ensure continued investment in community-led initiatives.
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny McLean on 0413 798 327 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
