A diverse range of community enterprises will benefit enormously from the latest Portarlington Golf Club grants.

Chief executive Michael Phillips said the club’s Community Contribution Fund would send almost $14,000 back into four local enterprises that have Portarlington and the Bellarine at heart.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to offer grants to these four bodies, not only because they are individually very deserving, but also because they have even greater communal plans,” Phillips said.

“A great example of this is the incredible group of volunteers at Food Assist 3223 who provide emergency and grocery supplies to those in dire need.

“The $3000 given to Food Assist 3223 will benefit so many people, so we’re absolutely indebted to president Prue Drever and her team for the lifesaving work they’re engaged in with very little recognition.”

Another of the eclectic group of grant recipients is the Bellarine Quilters, an organisation that also relies on volunteers to produce quilts for needy groups, particularly throughout winter.

“The Quilters have produced more than 270 quilts in the past 18 months to in turn help groups such as Bethany Family Services, Kinship Carers Bellarine and Southern Cross Kids’ Camp,” Phillips said.

“Recently they’ve made almost 50 quilts and donated them to the Ukrainian Women’s Association Geelong to aid a fundraiser for medical equipment and supplies in their war-torn homeland.

“They’ve had members using their own materials, but their $2000 grant will provide the inner wadding and backing fabrics that come at great expense.”

The Portarlington Pony Club will receive $2850 to install a defibrillator at its Willis St clubrooms.

“Again,” said Phillips, “this is obviously for the members of the club itself, but will be located where anyone who’s using the public reserve around the facility will be able to access that life-saving device.”

The other grant recipient is the Portarlington Football and Netball Club, which will use $6000 to refurbish an existing derelict room and create a rehabilitation gymnasium for footballers and netballers and other club members.

“That gym has obvious benefits to those already involved at the club, but it’s also hoped that by being able to offer first-class facilities, the prospect of attracting and keeping future players to the Demons will become that little bit easier,” Phillips said.

“We all saw the excitement around town on Saturday when the club was buzzing – and that can only be good for the community as a whole if we can have that feeling more often.”

The Portarlington Golf Club made more than $32,000 in donations in the recently ended financial year, while the Community Contribution Fund alone has contributed more than $34,000 to the community since its inception in 2019-20.

“We very much see the club as an integral part of Portarlington and the Bellarine communities, so we’re always happy to play our part in ensuring these neighbourhoods become stronger,” Phillips said.

“We are only as strong as the neighbours within our community.”

Michael Phillips and pony club president Charlotte Hunter share the good news – and the money - with young riders (from left) Grace, Olivia and Viv.