The Jindabyne Lions Club’s popular Easter Art Show and Sale will proceed in 2027 after the club secured important funding in the latest round of the Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund grant allocations.

The Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund Committee has announced this year’s funding recipients (totalling $288,156.92) with 42 groups in the region, including six in Jindabyne.

Before the funding, Lions Club members were concerned the Easter weekend event would not progress due to costs of hiring the Jindabyne Memorial Hall. However, the event is set to go ahead after the club secured $4000 to assist with the annual 2027 Jindabyne Lions Easter Art Show and Sale.

Nira Windeatt from the Jindabyne Lions Club said the club is grateful for the Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund grant to cover the cost of the hall hire.

“Without this grant we would not be able to run this popular community art show as the commercial cost of the hall hire for the 10 days required is too high to make it financially feasible for a community group,” Mrs Windeatt said.

“Jindabyne Lions Club looks forward to hosting this annual event one more time to allow both existing artists and newcomers of all ages to exhibit new and unique artworks to our community and Easter visitors.”

Other recipients were the popular volunteer-run, Jindabyne Op Shop. Op shop management committee member, Don Hayman, said the Alpine Uniting Church and Op Shop are again partnering with Sustainable Snowies, a volunteer unincorporated group in the region whose aim is to “foster improved sustainability within the NSW Snowy Mountains”, in undertaking the Repair Room project with a grant from the Boco Rock fund for the second year running.

“Because Sustainable Snowies is not incorporated, they are not able to receive or expend grant money funds themselves, and therefore we have been happy to receive and expend this grant money on their behalf, as the Uniting Church is a statutory corporation. The grant this year is $1753.15, which is an increase of nearly $200 from last year,” Mr Hayman said.

“As was the case last year, the project involves assembling 20kg boxes of clean clothing, manchester, etc that are donated to us, but which are worn, damaged or otherwise unsaleable, and posting these items to an organisation named Upparel who process, recycle or repurpose these items into reusable products.

“The funds are used to pay the postage for each box ($70), plus incidentals such as packing tape, and large cardboard boxes if we don’t receive enough of these boxes from donors. Our role is to ensure the items we send are clean, to pack and weigh the boxes, and to attach the postage stickers that we buy from Upparel.

“We see this as a great way to reduce clothing and materials waste that might otherwise go to landfill.”

The Jindabyne Snow Dragons is another successful grant recipient, receiving $4200 to go towards the purchase for a OC1 training vessel for club members.

Club president, Jacky Wood, said members are thrilled to be recipients, explaining that an OC1 is a single-person outrigger canoe that provides dragon boat paddlers with the opportunity to train independently.

“It can be paddled using a standard dragon boat paddle and it is an excellent tool for developing the skills and techniques used in dragon boat,” Ms Wood said.

“The OC1 will be used for individual training, for representative paddlers looking to further develop their skills, as well as new paddlers beginning their journey in the sport.

“Training in an OC1 gives paddlers the opportunity to focus closely on their own technique, stroke, power and timing without the support of the other 19 paddlers normally found in a 20-person dragon boat. It also provides coaches with an excellent opportunity to work individually with paddlers and refine their technique.

“The OC1 will be a valuable long-term asset for Jindabyne Snow Dragons and will support the club’s continued growth and development.”

Ms Wood said the club is extremely grateful to the Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund for supporting Jindabyne Snow Dragons and helping provide new opportunities for members to develop their skills and enjoy the sport of dragon boating on Lake Jindabyne.

Other recipients include the Jindabyne Trail Stewardship which will receive $12,000 for a trail hub container with mural, and the Lake Jindabyne Sailing Club will receive $3500 to inspire and facilitate youth and female participants to sail on Lake Jindabyne by purchasing a new vessel.

The Jindabyne Lake Light Sculpture committee has received $10,000 to go towards the 2027 sculpture event.