Nanango Theatre Company representatives with, at front, Heritage Nanango Community Branch manager Lochlan Ezzy and Heritage Nanango Community Funding secretary Jane Hodgkinson … the Nanango Theatre Company’s NananGO PLAYfest event was sponsored by Heritage
February 12, 2025
Volunteers from 25 not-for-profit groups gathered together in Nanango on Tuesday evening to be congratulated for their successful Heritage grant applications over the past 12 months.
Grants ranged from sponsoring events – such as Waterhole Rocks and the Nanango Country Music Muster – to buying practical items such a ride-on mower and defibrillators (see the list of grants, below).
Compere Jane Hodgkinson said it was an opportunity to celebrate all the projects that local not-for-profit groups had been working on to benefit the Nanango community.
“It is more than just a grants presentation,” she said. “It’s a celebration of what happens when a community comes together with passion and purpose.”
Jane said this was the first grants night to have been held since the Heritage Nanango Community Branch announced a big change to its community sponsorship program.
Instead of a tight application window, Heritage now accepts applications all year round from any not-for-profit groups in Nanango.
Jane also recounted the history of Heritage in the local community since 2001.
The community branch opened thanks to the support of about 165 local residents who stepped up and raised the deposits necessary.
It is a joint venture between Heritage Bank and the local community, represented by Heritage Nanango Community Funding Ltd (HNCF).
Under this model, HNCF’s share of the profits is distributed back into the community.
Since 2001, Heritage has given more than $5 million back to the Nanango community through grants and sponsorships.
Jane, who is secretary of the HNCF, said these millions of dollars invested in local projects had a made a real difference.
Certificates were presented on Tuesday night to representatives from each of the groups which were funded in 2024.
The evening was hosted by South Burnett CTC at their Nanango Neighbourhood Centre in Drayton Street, refurbished with the help of a Heritage grant.
Heritage staff members and HNCF Board members at Tuesday night’s presentation … back row, from left, Shelley Murray, branch manager Lochlan Ezzy, Deb Maller and Pania Heyer; row 3, Nanango Community Funding secretary Jane Hodgkinson, Mick Glenny and Evelyn Green; row 2, Tina Hemmons, Dave Kenny and Heritage Regional Manager (Community and Darling Downs) Kaye Ross; front row, Andrew Black, Mark Gaedtke, Heritage Head of Member Experience Retail Wayne Atkinson and Kristy DouglassDeputy Mayor Jane Erkens with South Burnett CTC CEO Jason Erbacher at the Heritage Nanango presentation … CTC hosted the presentation event at their Nanango Neighbourhood Centre which was refurbished with the help of Heritage funding
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Presentations
Certificates were presented to:
Anglican Parish of Nanango … for new floor coverings at the op shopNanango Bowls Club … for a personal computer and printer upgradeNanango Men’s Shed … to purchase gazebosNanango Business Alliance … sponsorship of 2025 Australia Day event and 2024 Christmas Carnival (now Christmas in July 2025)Nanango Campdraft … sponsorship of the 2024 Nanango CampdraftSouth Burnett Western Performance Club … to finalise the purpose-built arena at their groundsNanango Rugby League Football Club … to purchase team jerseysNanango Handmade Market … seed funding to NaTDA to get the markets startedNanango Sporting Association (ie. Nanango Panthers, Nanango Kennel Club and Nanango Scorpions) … for a Colorbond privacy fence around the amenities block at Alan Downie Sports FieldsNanango and District Cricket Club … to purchase new uniformsBunya Mountains Natural History Association … for restoration works at the historic Cedarvale cottage museum at DandabahNanango Tennis Club … for installation of new floodlights and three new tennis netsNanango QCWA … to upgrade the electrical system at their building in Fitzroy Street, NanangoNanango State School P&C … contribution towards the cost of installing CCTV cameras at the schoolNanango Agricultural Pastoral & Mining Society … for pyrotechnics at the 2024 Nanango Show and sponsorship of Waterhole Rocks and the Country Music MusterNanango Local Ambulance Committee … for 17 defibrillators for distribution to community groups along with trainingNanango Netball … co-contribution to their application for a major infrastructure project at the netball courtsNanango Golf Club … sponsorship of the Monthly Mug competitionRide 4 Relay … for publishing a cookbook for Relay For LifeSouth Burnett CTC … for refurbishment of the Nanango Neighbourhood CentreSouth Burnett Fun Flyers … to purchase a ride-on mower and trailer for their flying groundsSouth Burnett Equestrian Group … to purchase speaker and microphones for use at their 2024 training event and future eventsNanango RSL Sub-Branch / Services Club … to buy public display cabinets for memorabiliaNanango Cycling Club … to produce brochures of cycling tracks in the area
Also: Nanango State High School for a defensive driving course for students at Willowbank; and to buy a pressure cleaner for recycling bins.
