The Scots School pipe band has won immediate support from Albury Council to assist with the purchase of new uniforms and instruments to perform at a string of community-based functions including Anzac Day services, Big Splash fundraiser and Henty Field Days.
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The successful request for $7500 was in stark contrast to a contentious vote in 2017 to reject an approach for $10,000 for the band to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Cr Darren Cameron voted against the approach three years ago, but admitted to a change of heart due to the band's appearance at many community-based events.
"They just don't do things for The Scots School, they do things for many community groups including the RSL," he said.
"I've changed my mind and I'm not embarrassed to do so."
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Cr Henk van de Ven said not supporting The Scots School in 2017 was a mistake based on the "massive publicity" Albury received due to the band's appearance in Edinburgh.
The band was among nine successful applicants to council's financial assistance fund as part of its draft budget.
Other successful applicants were Art Craft Activities Group ($10.032), Australians for Mental Health ($3718), Gateway Health ($5000), Masterswim (($1928), Survivors of Suicide and Friends ($4000), Rites of Passage Institute ($10,000), Westside Community Centre ($17,516) and Wodonga Urban Landcare Network ($15,045).
Cr Murray King objected to the funding requests from Scots School and Gateway Health for its Rainbow Ball in 2021.
This year's event is still hoping to proceed in October.
"I don't think we are in an environment now where we can be supporting these activities when people are lining up around the corner at Centrelink and lining up for Foodcare packages," Cr King said.
Cr Alice Glachan also queried why the Rainbow Ball, a free event for LGBTIQ young people first held last year, wasn't self-funding.
"It is new and it will develop and will look towards becoming more self sufficient in the longer term," the council's community and place service leader Simona Coad said.
"To be viable at the moment it is seeking contributions from a broad range of councils in the area."
The 2020 Rainbow Ball was due to be held this month, but was cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreak.
Ms Coad was also called on to explain why Wodonga Council had not supported the winter solstice event run by Survivors of Suicide and Friends and Australians For Mental Health.
"Wodonga Council has similar grant funding opportunities, but their criteria is different," she said.
"Sometimes the approaches aren't made because when they read about the criteria they don't necessarily fall within them."
Mayor Kevin Mack said mental health "knows no boundaries" and funding from other councils was warranted.
