08
Latest news
Boosting safety in Victorian sporting clubs with canteen grants
By Anitra Robertson , Marketing and Communications Advisor
In June , Energy Safe Victoria ( ESV ) proudly announced the 27 successful sporting clubs that are the recipients of funds from our inaugural Canteen Grants Program .
Through our partnership with AFL Victoria , we identified that thousands of Victorians volunteering at community sporting club canteens were using old and poorly functioning equipment and could be at risk of an energy-related incident . Additionally , many clubs in both regional and suburban areas are struggling for funds to replace their faulty equipment .
Fundraising dollars are hard to generate and often the canteen is the primary source of funds for the club , and these dollars don ’ t always make it back to support the canteen .
As part of our commitment to creating a safer state and raising awareness of energy safety issues , this unique grants program was developed .
The objective of the program is to improve the safety of Victorian sporting club canteens by providing funds for clubs to purchase new gas or electrical equipment for their canteen to replace aging or unsafe equipment , and boost community football morale .
Under the Energy Safe Victoria Canteen Grants Program , all football-netball clubs affiliated with AFL Victoria were eligible to apply for a canteen grant . Each club could request up to $ 1,000 for the purchase of new equipment , with a total of $ 25,000 available .
CEO Paul Fearon , said ESV was proud to continue the partnership with AFL Victoria , to support the wider football community and promote the awareness of gas and electrical safety at the community level .
“ The footy club is often the hub of suburban and regional communities , with the canteen being the heart of the club ,” he said .
“ We launched this new grants program to ensure our energy safety messages are promoted at the local level , while also improving the safety of canteens for volunteers and the general public .
The fries are better at Edenhope Apsley FNC : Jodie Hanel with the club ’ s new and efficient deep fryer .
“ Raising energy safety awareness is an ongoing commitment ESV has to the people of Victoria , and through this program we will support awareness of our key community messages around carbon monoxide awareness and the dangers of DIY electrical work and BBQ safety .”
The response from Victorian clubs to the canteen grants program was overwhelming . Clubs from across regional Victoria and suburban Melbourne submitted 150 grant applications , with a total dollar request of more than $ 150,000 .
The number of submissions received , along with the countless stories of old and broken down equipment being used in sporting clubs by volunteers , demonstrated a genuine need for the grants .
To assess the submissions a set of criteria was applied , prioritising significant safety requirements / concerns , geographic spread and a club ’ s contribution to its local community through inclusion programs and other supporting activities .
Nevertheless , selecting the final recipients was challenging , and unfortunately , many clubs with a valid request had to miss out .
In their submissions , a number of clubs requested less than $ 1000 to purchase a new appliance , and ultimately , ESV was delighted to award 27 clubs with funds .
One successful recipient is the Edenhope Apsley Football Netball Club .
Located right near the border of South Australia , the club requested to replace their gas deep fryer , which was over 20 years old and unsafe to use . Volunteers were reluctant to use it , as it was undoubtedly dangerous to operate . The deep fryer was subsequently decommissioned and the canteen was unable to cook the muchloved hot chips and other usual canteen fare .
As with many regional football clubs , the Edenhope Apsley Football Netball Club is the heart of its community ; where community members can gather , participate in sport , keep fit and healthy both physically and mentally . It supports the local businesses and provides dinners on Saturdays and Thursday night after training .
Its canteen is one of the major income streams for the Club . Profits are used to support football participation and their Auskick and Net set Go programs . The Club also supports Breast Cancer Network Australia , Mens Health Nights , and sponsorship for talented player pathways . Edenhope Apsley Football Netball Club committee member , Jodi Hanel said they were excited when the grants process was announced and so thankful to ESV and AFL Victoria for supporting their club .
“ It was perfect timing for us . Our old fryer had broken down and we didn ’ t have the funds to replace it ourselves . Fundraising is hard , and we raise a lot of money through our canteen – hot chips are a great fundraiser ,” she said .
“ Getting the grant money has made a big difference to our Club . With the new and much bigger fryer it ’ s so much easier and safer . We can meet customer demand , and sell more food , helping us raise more money for the Club .
“ We now have happy kitchen ladies and happy customers , thanks to ESV .”
Jodi ’ s advice to other clubs about the Canteen Grants Program , “ Go for it . It ’ s a great opportunity to upgrade your equipment .”
ESV congratulates all the successful clubs and hope the funds and new equipment have made a difference to your club and the safety of your canteen volunteers .
For clubs that missed out , thank you for your efforts and please look ahead to 2019 . We are keen to build on this year ’ s success with a broader program in 2019 .