A huge cash partnership will provide the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute $100,000 over three years.
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The strategic partnership with Ballarat City Council was approved on Wednesday night.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the deal, worth $33,500 a year for three years.
The motion presented to council also acknowledged the institute’s historical significance to the city as well as its role as custodian for a “key” collection of public records and photos.
Ballarat City mayor Samantha McIntosh said the institute’s significant layer of volunteer work delivered back to the community.
“It is becoming the place to be on a Friday night with these amazing lectures and presentations from community individuals and guests,” she said.
“We have much more to learn, much more to discover, and an enormous load to say thank you for. There is significant history here we must embrace and certainly I am supporting this recommendation as it is written tonight.”
The strategic partnership aims to help the institute restructure its management and administration for greater community value.
It will also help establish the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute Foundation and ensure its long term viability.
It is one of the most beautiful heritage buildings, so congratulations to the members of that organisation for the way they up keep one of our historic Ballarat buildings.
- Cr Amy Johnson
Cr Amy Johnson seconded the motion at council’s ordinary meeting to approve the strategic partnership.
She said council had to support community groups that self-funded their programs.
“The good thing about them being independent and not-for-profit is they can apply for grants that council cannot,” she said.
“It is the most beautiful heritage buildings, so congratulations to the members of that organisation for the way they up keep one of our historic Ballarat buildings.”
A staff report presented to council said there had been more than $100,000 in grants approved for the institute since 2004.
In that same period the institute had also been successful in in securing an additional $6 million for stage restorations and redevelopment of its building.
Ballarat groups also supported the strategic partnership proposal.
This included;
- Sovereign Hill
- Ballarat Historical Society
- Buninyong and District Community Association, Business and Tourism Committee
- Avenue of Honour Committee.
The staff report said the institute’s application met the needs of council’s livability and sustainability goals.
“The committee aims to raise the services and profile of the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute to a significantly higher level within the community,” it said.
“(The institute) will contribute at least matching funding towards the project.”