Grants give community groups boost

The City of Karratha, in partnership with the Woodside-operated North West Shelf Project, presented the Quarterly Grant Awards to local community groups at the Frank Butler Community Centre last month.

The quarterly grant scheme offers groups financial assistance to encourage high standards of community service and program delivery in areas such as health, welfare, training and sport.

Some of this quarter's recipients included Pilbara Community Legal Services, Karratha Young Professionals, Karratha Autumn Club, West Pilbara Softball Organisation and the Karratha Water Polo Association.

Mayor Peter Long said it was important to offer support to the large number of community groups operating throughout the City of Karratha.

"We know getting the support and the necessary financial assistance to run vital programming can be hard," he said.

"We're absolutely thrilled to be able to expand our successful quarterly grants program with the help of the North West Shelf Project."

West Pilbara Softball Organisation president Barrie Sargeant said the funds received for the club would enable them to bring umpires and skills clinics to Karratha for the upcoming DCA Cup competition.

"The DCA Cup is an important tradition for our organisation. It has been going for over 35 years and attracts teams from Tom Price, Dampier, Karratha and Paraburdoo for a two-day tournament over the May long weekend," he said.

"Two of our junior softballers, Georgina and Courtney Busby, have also received funds to travel to Jakarta to represent WA.

"This is a great opportunity for the girls and it's all been made possible by these grants, which cover the costs of flights to the tournament."

Woodside asset manager Karratha Gas Plant Steve Trench said the North West Shelf project would continue to work in partnership with the City of Karratha to provide much-needed grants in support of community programs.

"The grant program provides a helping hand to community organisations and sporting groups, which helps to make Karratha a great place to live," he said.

"We are here for the long-term and our support for the City's Quarterly Grants Scheme is as important as ever."