The George Town Council announced the recipients of its community assistance grant program after lengthy discussions at its March meeting.

Four community groups did secure funding from the program, with $5602 shared among the sporting groups.

The George Town Ladies Golf Club, East Tamar Landcare, George Town Junior Football Club and Bass and Flinders Bowls Club were awarded $150, $1547, $1980 and $1925 respectively. 

The Hillwood Volunteer Fire Brigade were not recommended for a $1000 grant to fund the purchase of medals for all of its volunteers in celebration of the brigade’s 50th Jubilee.

The brigade had already attracted $1500 funding in principle from Bell Bay Aluminium, with each medal predicted to cost $109. 

The committee suggested the council instead purchase a plaque as recognition of the volunteers’ service. 

Cr Barwick moved a motion to grant the $1000. 

“These are people that volunteer – they don’t get paid anything,” Cr Barwick said. 

“It’s a recognition of the work they’ve done in our municipality and in a lot of areas even on the other side of the river.”

Cr Parkes said it “made no sense at all” to fund individual medals.

“Someone could have joined last week and they get a 50-year medal,” he said.

The motion failed and the council will not fund the medals.

Councillor Heather Barwick voted against awarding funding to the George Town Junior Football Club.

The club’s application said it would use the $1980 to purchase two sets of football guernseys. 

“I have concerns about the football club buying guernseys, because they raise funds via their canteen and people’s admission to the football grounds,” Cr Barwick said. “I also have concerns that we’re setting a precedent here.

“Every club at any one time can apply to have some of their guernseys done if we agree to do it for one.”

The four groups were recommended for the funding by the council’s funding review panel made up of general manager Justine Brooks-Bedelph, mayor Bridget Archer and councillors Peter Parkes and Greg Dawson.