Essendon’s hospitality venues continue to generously support the local community, this week donating $160,000 to 10 grassroots sporting clubs.

The Windy Hill Venue distributed the much needed funds to support the 10 local sporting groups at a presentation night at the Essendon Rowing Club. The funds were from the trading results from the Windy Hill Venue for the year ending Oct 31 2013.

Representatives from the 10 local sporting clubs were on hand to receive their share in the $110,000.

A further $50,000 was donated to two major capital works projects that were shared between the Essendon Tennis Club for new fencing around their tennis courts and for Essendon Hocking Club for scoring equipment.

Essendon Chief Financial Officer Kevin Dixon said it was important for the club to give back to local communities.

“We are proud that, through the Windy Hill Venue, the football club can provide this generous donation to local sporting groups in Essendon,” Dixon said.

“It is important to support sporting clubs at all levels, particularly grassroots, and we hope this donation significantly benefits the local community.”

Bill Threlfall from the Essendon Hockey Club said he was thrilled to accept the donation on behalf of his sporting club.

“Essendon Hockey Club is extremely grateful for ongoing support from Essendon Football Club Sections Committee,” Threlfall said.

“As well as the Annual Grant of $11,000 that supports the club in the provision of essential safety equipment and junior development, Essendon Hockey Club was fortunate to receive $20,000 from the Capital Works Grants to provide electronic scoreboards for our 2 hockey pitches.

“As an amateur sporting club we are very fortunate to be affiliated with such a community minded AFL Club as the Essendon Football Club.”

For bistro booking enquiries at the Windy Hill Venue, please phone 03 8371 0335.