The Lucindale Country Club, located around 350km south east of Adelaide, was given a $20,000 grant under the program’s “encouraging diversity” category, to expand and upgrade its changerooms and amenities.

Jacki Baker, the club’s secretary, said that the club had been seeking government grants for over a decade.

“Currently our facilities lack non-ambulant and gender-neutral options to cater to the diverse range of community members and visitors who attend the club for sport, recreation and social events,” Baker said.

“These improvements, including updates to existing change rooms in the main club area, will make the club significantly more user-friendly and reduce long queues.

“This project will allow disabled patrons to access amenities within the main building without having to go outside. The inclusion of family-friendly features, such as gender-neutral baby change tables, will ensure that all parents can be equally involved in caring for their children.”

The renovations have not yet begun but plans are currently being drawn up.

Scott Altschwager, Elders SA Area Manager, said the improvements would benefit “not only Lucindale but also visitors from beyond the region”.

“The Lucindale Country Club is a social centrepiece for sport and gatherings,” Altschwager said.

“It attracts a strong attendance year-round, including a popular late summer tennis tournament drawing spectators from across South and Eastern Australia.”

South Australia’s other recipient, the Parndana Sports Club on Kangaroo Island, received a $350 grant under the “safety first” category, funding the upgrade of an external defibrillator cabinet.

The grant was used to replace the club’s previous damaged cabinet with a weather-resistant model.

Cheryl May, Committee Member at the Parndana Sports Club, said the new cabinet improved accessibility and visibility of the device, which is of crucial importance for the town, located around 40km away from the nearest hospital.

“Several years ago a chap that lives in Parndana was playing bowls at another location on the island and was worked on with a defibrillator,” she said.

“If it wasn’t available in the immediate vicinity that day, he told me he wouldn’t be here.”

Marty Kay, Elders Branch Manager, said the device provided reassurance to the community.

“We are a big island with a small population and often depend on the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service in emergency situations,” Kay said.

“Although I hope we don’t need to use it, having this defib right in the heart of the community where our people are adds a layer of safety for us to act in the case of an emergency.”

May and the club’s management committee are currently researching apps that could help the community quickly locate nearby defibrillators.

Elders said the project was aimed at supporting initiatives in rural, regional, and remote communities across Australia that provide “sustainable, tangible and long-term benefits”.

Elders will continue the project annually, with applications for next year’s grants opening in March.