SWAN Hill’s Italian Social Club has been awarded more than $380,000 as part of the State Government’s 2023-24 Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund.
The grant totalling $388,107 will be used to complete upgrades to the Italian Social Club and Multicultural Community Centre located within Ken Harrison Reserve.
The successful funding application was put forward by Swan Hill-based grant writers Equipment Solutions Plus on the behalf of the club.
The multi-stage upgrades will kick off soon, with ESP managing the project and supporting the Italian Social Club with the initial works and the ongoing development of further stages.
Stage one of the works is set to commence in coming months with local trades and contractors to undertake the works, and the project is estimated to be completed by early next year.
Initial works will include extensive upgrades to the external roof of the building, internal ceiling works, accessible toilet upgrades and lighting upgrades throughout the venue.
There will also be upgrades to the club’s internal flooring, painting of internal walls and installation of new blinds and curtains in the main room of the facility.
Italian Social Club treasurer Tina Marrapodi said the future was looking very bright for the organisation.
“It’s such an amazing time here,” Ms Marrapodi said.
“We are all super-excited to be awarded these much-needed funds here at the club.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing the club up to the modern standards that the community deserves, and we can’t wait to get the works under way.
“The grant has been something we’ve known about for a little bit but we had to be quite hush-hush about it all.
“We’d been wanting to shout this out to the whole community for a while but we just couldn’t tell anyone until now.”
Ms Marrapodi said the grant and the upgrades it would pay for would benefit all Swan Hill residents, not just the Italian community.
“This is something that the whole community is set to benefit from,” she said.
“We used to host quite a few local events but due to COVID and the current state of the centre we have seen bookings decrease in recent years.
“The venue’s facelift will not only make it more attractive but will also ensure it’s a more practical venue for people to use.
“We engaged ESP to help us apply for the grant, so we are really thankful to them for applying on our behalf and putting in all the hard work for us.”
ESP grant writer and project developer Romaney Kennedy said the upgrades would “enhance the club’s infrastructure, creating a more welcoming space for members and visitors”.
“The upgrades will provide a huge benefit to not only the volunteers and members of the Italian Social Club but also to the entire Swan Hill community,” Ms Kennedy said.
“The upgrades will encompass the renovation of the community space while at the same time preserving the heritage of the centre.
“The improved infrastructure will allow the Italian Social Club to host a wider range of cultural events and workshops and educational programs.
“These activities will not only benefit the existing members but also the broader Victorian community.”
Ms Kennedy said the ability for local people to share their cultures widely would “contribute to the broader social fabric of Victoria”.
“The upgrades will strengthen the sense of interconnectedness within the community, fostering positive relationships and mutual respect among individuals from diverse backgrounds,” she said.
“The Italian Social Club is deeply committed to promoting cultural diversity, inclusivity and community engagement.”
The Italian Social Club is one of nine local organisations across northern Victoria to have received a share of more than $9.7 million in funding in this year’s round of MCIF grants.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt said the Allan Labor government was committed to funding diverse communities across the state.
“This latest round of funding will ensure multicultural Victorians can access the facilities that bring communities together and can share and preserve their culture and traditions,” Ms Stitt said.
“We’re proud to continue our work to support Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities and ensure that all Victorians have spaces where they can feel proud and safe to express who they are.”
