Home » Community » Solar farm helps community shine

Solar farm helps community shine

BALRANALD community groups and organisations have received a generous amount of grant money from the Sunraysia Solar Farm Community Sponsorship program.

Chair of the Sunraysia Solar Farm and John Laing managing director Duncan Jewell said that the community sponsorship program is one of the ways the solar farm is able to give back to the local community.

“We have developed a lot of projects in rural communities and also in major cities, and we understand the need to engage with the community, be a part of the community and give back to the community,” Mr Jewell said. The Sunraysia Solar Farm, 17km south of the Balranald town centre, has a capacity of 255 megawatts, which can power around 50,000 homes.

The recipients of the grants gathered at the Discovery Café in Balranald last Tuesday to be presented with their funding by Mr Jewell.

“It is great to be back in the community and see everybody,” Mr Jewell said.

Grants were made to projects that benefit the community, are environmentally and socially acceptable, and will be conducted in the Balranald Shire Council Local Government Area (LGA) within 12 months of receiving the award.

“It got a good lot of interest,” Mr Jewell said. “It is just good to be a part of the community.”

The recipients of the grants were:

Balranald Men’s Shed – Bill and Jill Hargrave

LiveBetter Community Transport – Concetta Rasmussen

Murrumbidgee Classic – Marshall Bodinnar

Balranald St Josephs Primary School – Kylie Gebert

Balranald Motorcycle Club – Justin Griffiths

Balranald Early Learning Centre – Jayne Farnsworth

Balranald Anglican Church – Lea Lawrie

Balranald Shire Library – Janaya Gaston (not in attendance).

Digital Editions


  • Bowls Notes

    Bowls Notes

    RACECOURSE Congratulations to Mick Holyoak, who won his semi-final of the Champion of Champions against Danny Kelly of Lake Boga and then backed it up…

More News

  • Thefts across the region

    Thefts across the region

    SWAN HILL Theft: A REGISTRATION plate, a new Kings Swag still in its box and a bag were stolen from a vehicle parked in Barnett Street between 3.30pm Friday, 30…

  • Unflinching debut for local author

    Unflinching debut for local author

    RAW, real, honest – Charlie Hovenden’s debut memoir Fierce and Unstoppable has received praise for laying bare her daily strength and courage through MS and the sudden death of her…

  • Rams charge towards top spot

    Rams charge towards top spot

    THE final round of the Northern Valley Premier League is upon us, and it’s a two-battle for first place on the ladder, contested between Murray Downs and Cohuna Golf. How…

  • Support grows in regions

    Support grows in regions

    A REDBRIDGE federal poll released last week found One Nation’s primary vote had risen to 26 per cent, eight points lower than Labor (34) and seven points above the former…

  • Moulamein notes

    Moulamein notes

    Comedy act No, the Richmond footy team isn’t coming to town — but something just as exciting is. It’s not often we see an international comedy act roll through our…

  • Mass fish death

    Mass fish death

    AFTER further investigation into the fish deaths reported throughout the week near Menindee, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released a community update outlining its…

  • Back to school blessing

    Back to school blessing

    ANGLICAN NEWS It was great to have students and adults bringing symbols of their planned 2026 learning to be blessed on Sunday. Along with the blessing, Rev Julie gave appropriate…

  • SHDCA Round 12 Cricket Previews

    SHDCA Round 12 Cricket Previews

    Nyah District v RSL While last Saturday’s abandoned round has all but sealed reigning premier Nyah District’s fate, the Demons will still have plenty to play for when they host…

  • Training policy axed in council clash

    Training policy axed in council clash

    A COUNCILLOR training policy has been thrown in the bin, with one councillor labelling it an “overreach and a policy that we don’t need”. The policy was designed to formalise…

  • Homecoming to Mallee roots

    Homecoming to Mallee roots

    AFTER a lifetime of exhibiting and working in countries across the globe, woodturner and sophisticate Terry Martin has returned home. The internationally acclaimed artist grew up in the early 60s…