Braidwood artist, Janita Byrne, was one of two regional artists to receive a creative arts scholarship in the current round of grants from the Veolia-Mulwaree Trust.
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Sixteen community organisations also received a combined total of almost $200,000 in the grants round presented in Goulburn yesterday.
This amount did not include one-off donations to a further 58 organisations for smaller projects.
Grants officer for the Trust, Jayne Barton, said that the Trust was delighted to be able to fund so many worthy projects from the region.
The region covered by the Trust encompasses most of the Southern Tablelands and Southern Highlands, and extends to parts of the Shoalhaven region.
Ms Byrne, who works in a range of media and whose recent exhibition of High Country landscapes at the Australian National Botanic Gardens was a huge success, received her scholarship to extend her knowledge and skills in the "ancient art of paper marbling."
Ms Byrne was en route home from Europe and her award was accepted on her behalf by the President of the Braidwood Regional Arts Group, Maggie Hickey.
The range of community projects was diverse and included landcare and environmental projects, upgrades to community buildings and sports facilities and socially-focused projects.
One of the more unusual projects receiving a grant was the "Teeniors" project. being run by Volunteering Wingecarribee Inc. This project will team teenagers with seniors in order to teach older people the finer points of using computer technology such as tablets and smartphones. The explanation of the project led trustee, Mr John Reynolds, to joke that he might have to sign on.
Other projects receiving money were the Crookwell Memorial Hall to improve access for all; Bungendore Primary School for a bus shelter; the Southern Tablelands Athletics Club for the purchase of high jump mats that meet the required standard; the Goulburn Golf Course Crown Land Manager 72087 for the extension and improvement of a path and reserve; and an active adventure area planned for Taralga Public School.
The key theme of all the organisations receiving awards was the centrality of community. This theme was reflected by Henry Gundry, the manager of the Veolia Woodlawn bioreactor and windfarm facility, who noted that the company was keen to continue supporting the regional community.
