Grants Milestone for Christine

Christine Dartnell has reached an important milestone for her community – she has been responsible for 50 successful grants applications. It’s no mean feat, as applying for grants is a huge undertaking, not only in skill and knowledge, but also in time and commitment.
Since Christine arrived in Barham 14 years ago, she has joined numerous community groups and applied for grant funding for various projects.
Her first grant was in 2009 when she and Doug Matthews applied for funding to build the Barham Koondrook Men’s Shed. They both worked tirelessly to seek out funding and fulfil Doug’s vision of a local Men’s Shed that was fully functional with woodworking tools and equipment.
Murray Haven Homes, Barham Koondrook Landcare, Barham Koondrook Historical Society, Barham & District RSL Sub-Branch and the Wakool Soldier Settlers Memorial Walk Action Group have all benefited from grants as a result of Christine’s grant writing skills.
The grants obtained have been from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA), Victorian Men’s Shed Association (VMS), the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the State War Memorials Committee, Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD), cluBarham, Murray Local Land Services (MLLS), the Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHcsia), Public Records of Victoria (PROV), the Murray River Council and formerly the Wakool Shire, the Gannawarra Shire Council, the Department of Health and Human Services (DH&HS), Department of Social Services (DSS), Anne Webster MP and Sussan Ley MP with support from the Victorian, NSW and Federal Governments.
Grant writing requires not only skills and knowledge and an understanding of what is required, it also requires a dash of resilience. They are competitive and there are many disappointments. While Christine has processed 104 grant applications, 50 have been successful. That’s 50 times that her community is better off.
Christine thanks her fellow community volunteers who have offered thoughts and ideas, and proofread documents.