Australian Turkish Friendship Association committee members say they are “astonished” following a Hume council denial of a $2000 grant for community barbeque.
Hume council voted to approve round one of the event grants at its meeting on June 26, where mayor Joseph Haweil called out the council events grant assessment panel for knocking back applications over “trivial matters”.
Australian Turkish Friendship Association was denied a $2000 grant to host a community networking gathering-barbeque for international Turkish students within Hume.
Association President Murat Sahin said the organisation was disappointed the grant application was denied, especially when funding allocation remained.
The association does not know why its application was rejected.
“Our committee members were astonished to hear our proposal being declined [and] it would not have been so upsetting if the grant allocation was exhausted and all the funds were fully committed,” Mr Sahin said.
“However we know the council still has $70,000 unallocated for this program.”
At the meeting Cr Haweil said he was disappointed most unsuccessful applications seemed to come from multicultural community organisations.
“I’m disappointed that any events, bar one from multicultural community organisations, have received the lowest level of funding,” Cr Haweil said.
“I believe [they] will feel discouraged from applying in the future because of the recommendation.”
Zoe Moffatt
