The memorial hall at the heart of Muttama is one of the lucky recipients of funding from the NSW Government. Photo: Supplied.
Last week a little community that sprung from a reef of gold discovered in the 1860s was celebrating another gold strike – this time in the form of almost $60,000 from the NSW government.
Muttama – a settlement which sits between Cootamundra and Coolac – like any small rural settlement, has suffered its fair share of blows.
First came the closure of rail passenger services in 1975, followed by the loss of the town post office in 1979.
But at its heart – like an eternal flame – stood the town’s tiny memorial hall.
And if the farming community and village of 133 residents around it kept that flame lit, they certainly have been firing up the gas of late.
Just last week the hall committee was presented with a $59,869.00 cheque for the Muttama Memorial Hall Rejuvenation Works – the funds need for the second stage in a major overhaul of the hall in the past four years.
The funding, which is part of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, will replace a dilapidated floor in the kitchen with a concrete slab and steel frame.
It follows a $140,000 grant in 2018 under the same funding scheme which allowed the hall committee to update flooring for social gatherings and commemorative services.
That came on top of a $14,290 NSW Government War Memorial Grant received back in 2016 to restore the wooden ANZAC Honour Board at the hall.
This week’s announcement by Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke saw funds allocated to seven additional projects to develop sporting facilities, upskill young people and upgrade halls in the Cootamundra and Gundagai region in the Cootamundra Gundagai local government area, including:
- $448,526 for the Carberry Park Car Park & Toilet Upgrade – this project will build a new toilet facility adjacent to the new million-dollar playground in Gundagai and update the carpark to improve visitor access and experience.
- $250,000 for the Indoor Rock Climbing Wall at the Cootamundra Sports Stadium.
- $200,000 for the Youth & Community Toolbox Room at Gundagai Library – this project will build a high-tech space where youth groups and community members can hold meetings, workshops, events and activities, explore ideas, and grow their knowledge at the library.
- $199,659 for the sustainable redevelopment and upgrade of Cootamundra Library – this refurbishment creates an open-plan, energy-efficient and accessible environment with dedicated spaces for children, recreational and cultural use, research and customer service.
- $165,000 for the Cootamundra Pump Track – this project will build a pump track, skills park and jump line adjacent to the existing skate park, giving a total youth activity and play precinct within the town of Cootamundra.
- $129,000 for the St Patricks Primary School Enhanced Active Space – this project will upgrade the artificial turf and landscape in the playground area at St Patricks Primary School Gundagai.
- $96,000 to replace the turf wicket at Stan Crowe Oval.
The eight projects total $1,548,054 for the local government area.
“There is something for everyone with these projects; from new sporting grounds and activity areas, to making our libraries fit for the future. Well done to you all,” Ms Cooke said.
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