HVO FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR UPPER AND LOWER HUNTER COMMUNITY PROJECTS. APPLICATIONS OPEN.

Not for profit community groups in the Upper Hunter and Lower Hunter can gain funding for their community and environmental projects from Hunter Valley Operations’ (HVO) latest community grants round.

Environment and community manager Andrew Speechly said the grants are open to any smaller scale project that is about making a community stronger, improving the skills or lives of local people or protecting and enhancing the environment. 

“We are keen to hear from any not for profit charity or community group in the Muswellbrook, Singleton, Cessnock, Maitland or Upper Hunter local government areas,” Mr Speechly said.

He said the grants program is one of the ways the local mining company seeks to support the communities in which it operates.

“As well as providing local jobs and support for local businesses, we think it is important to support local initiatives that make our community a better place for people to live and work,” he said.  

“We have been part of the community for more than 70 years and this is an opportunity for HVO to give back to the community that has given us great support over that time.” 

Grants are awarded twice a year. The last round of grants in 2022 saw seven projects share in $21,000 in funding. Successful projects in that round include funding for 300 Singleton primary students to undertake Burn Bright leadership workshops this year as well as support for the Star Club equestrian programme. In the first round of 2022 grants there was support for the Singleton Business Awards and mental health awareness training for Jerrys Plains residents.  

Round 2, 2022 HVO Community Grants recipients

• Equipment for Star Club Milbrodale & Broke 
• Muswellbrook South Public School P&C’s Colour Your Threads for Pos Ed
• Singleton PCYC Book Fair 
• Singleton ADRA Food Pantry 
• Cessnock Community Leo Club’s Native Wildflower Initiative
• Rotary Club of Muswellbrook
• Upper Hunter Where There’s a Will’s Burn Bright Program
  

HVO has provided more than $350,000 in funding to 82 projects since 2018. This is in addition to its other partnerships, sponsorships and workplace giving programs. 

To make an application visit www.hvo.com.au/community. For information regarding eligibility or assistance with applying for a grant phone 0455 782 292 or email EnvironmentandCommunity@hvo.com.au. Applications close on April 30.

Hunter Valley Operations operates the HVO South and HVO North open cut coal mines at Lemington, north of Singleton. 

Media information: Craig Eardley, HVO Media, on 0437 477 493. Andrew is available for interview.