Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that the North Nowra Guide Hall will be upgraded as part of a $1 million allocation to repair and improve Girl Guide facilities across the State under a New South Wales Government COVID-19 stimulus program.
Mr Ward said that the North Nowra Guide Hall is one of 14 Girl Guide centres across the State that have been identified for upgrade work under the program.
“I am extremely pleased that this funding from the NSW Government which will see the North Nowra Guide Hall get improvements including installation of air conditioning, replacement of fluorescent lights with LED lights and an extendable ladder,” he said.
“Girl Guides offers young girls from age 5 to 17 fun, friendship and adventure and this work will help empower them with better facilities to grow and develop leadership skills while contributing to the community,” Mr Ward said.
The NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said that the State-wide funding would provide a win-win for Girl Guide Halls located on Crown land while supporting local tradespeople and building materials suppliers with work.
“The COVID-19 stimulus program is about supporting jobs and economic activity in our local communities that have been battling as a result of the pandemic’s impacts on business and other activities,” Mrs Pavey said.
“This has included disruptions to community organisations like the Girl Guides that have been unable to meet face-to-face or do their normal fundraising such as barbecues, cake stalls, and biscuit sales due to social distancing restrictions.
“The NSW Government’s stimulus program will fund maintenance and improvements on Girl Guide facilities on Crown land in NSW with many also used by other community organisations, to ease the financial pressure and strengthen infrastructure for the future,” Minister Pavey said.
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Chief Executive Officer Helen White said the stimulus funding would be allocated to priority works and would make a big difference.
“COVID-19 has been a difficult time but we’ve maintained contact through online activities including indoor scavenger hunts, creating poppy wreaths for Anzac Day, and putting together community hampers,” Ms White said.
“Good facilities are fundamental to both indoor and outdoor guiding and the funding will allow us to continue offering quality activities, adventures and dynamic educational programs as we transition back to safe, in-person activities.
“2020 is our centenary and we’re celebrating 100 years of successful guiding. This stimulus funding is a great opportunity to strengthen our infrastructure to prepare for our next century of giving girls and young women a place to grow,” Ms White concluded.