34 | Mid-Western Living | SPRING 2026 Mudgee and Gulgong are among the big winners from ACEREZ’s Community Grants Program, with local sporting clubs, cultural groups, heritage organisations, support services and community facilities sharing in new funding. From new pickleball courts and playground murals to heritage upgrades, the Mid-Western region is benefitting from ACEREZ grants funding, strengthening venues, services and community groups at the heart of regional life. In total, 46 projects from 11 towns across the CentralWest Orana Renewable Energy Zone are sharing more than $2.1 million through Round 1 of the grants program, supporting initiatives across public amenity, health, education, agriculture, sport and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. For Mudgee, Gulgong and nearby communities, the successful projects reflect the things that matter locally: places to gather, opportunities to play sport, support for people doing it tough, investment in heritage and the arts and upgrades that help groups serve their communities for years to come. “These grants are about backing the people and places that make regional communities strong,” ACEREZ CEO Steve Masters said. “These projects will make a real difference in people’s daily lives and help local towns through the Mid-Western region continue to thrive for years to come.” Can Assist, which provides financial and practical support to cancer patients and their families in Mudgee and nearby towns, was awarded a grant to help patients travel to treatment. “We are so grateful to receive this grant,” Can Assist Secretary Louise Schmidt said. “It will allow us to provide more fuel vouchers for longer to our clients. The rising fuel costs has significantly impacted our client’s ability to travel to their cancer treatment.” Beyond Mudgee and Gulgong, the grants will also support important projects across the region. ACEREZ is partnering with Marathon Health to deliver a new community health hub in Dunedoo, helping locals access care closer to home. “We’re excited to be partnering with ACEREZ, Warrumbungle Shire Council, the Dunedoo Medical Centre, the Western NSW Local Health District and with locals to design a health hub that provides access to health services in the community that they live in,” Marathon Health CEO Megan Callinan said. In Coolah, a grant to upgrade drainage at Bowen Oval will help keep the ground open when wet weather would otherwise force closures. Rebecca Cavanagh of the Coolah Roos Rugby Club said the grant will be a game-changer. “This ground is the sporting hub of our community. It’s so great we’ve got this grant because we will be able to fix that for all our sporting events,” she said. BIG WINS AS COMMUNITY GRANTS FLOW ACROSS THE REGION Can Assist Mudgee Treasurer Cheryl Stuart, volunteer Betty Holland and Secretary Louise Schmidt
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