After an eight-race community event held at the Warrnambool Racing Club, the home of the May Racing Carnival, has handed the windfall to its neighbours, The Warrnambool Community Garden.

The donation was the proceeds of the club’s Community Race Day held on March 29.

Community Garden convenor Julie Eagles said the funds would assist with on-site works the group hoped would improve facilities and access for all abilities at the Grafton Road site.

“The funds will be used for our HUB kitchen upgrade project which will make it food safe compliant,” she said. “This will also be much better for cooking, making preserves and hosting workshops.  

“We even hope to have guest chefs working in there sometimes to showcase local and seasonal produce.

The community group who open up their space for much-needed race week parking during May, said the donation was gratefully accepted.

“The community garden is run by volunteers and relies on grants and fundraising efforts to keep operating,” she said. 

“The community garden and racing club are neighbours. And the garden has a big view of the racing track from it’s HUB, verandah, pizza and indigenous contemplation area.”