The richness of community life in the shire is reflected in the wide range of groups and projects that have been supported under Sutherland Shire Council’s 2016-2017 Community Services and Arts Grants program.
More than $171,000 has been provided to local groups under the grants program for a number of projects ranging from workshops for carers and a toy library for children with special needs to a festival to celebrate the 150th birthday of writer Henry Lawson.
The grants will fund 16 projects run by 14 local community groups covering music, art, hospitality, mental health, recreation, local heritage, youth engagement, aged and disability care and financial advice and aid.
The 14 successful community groups accepted their grants from Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce at special breakfast hosted at Project Youth’s Café Y in Menai last month.
Each year Council provides grants of up to $20,000 per organisation to local charities and not-for profit groups for the purpose of funding services and arts programs available to the whole community.
“Many of our recipients rely on volunteer staff to make these programs a success, so I would encourage those of you in our community to look up these amazing organisations and see how you as an individual can volunteer your time and make them a success,” Cr Pesce said.
Successful applicants included the Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation which received $20,000 to establish an arts and crafts hub.
Southern Community Welfare received $20,000 for a squalor and hoarding case management service, St Vincent De Paul Society $3,500 for a day care and respite program for children experiencing family hardship and Gymea Community Aid and Information Service $11,000 to hold workshops on folk traditions and storytelling across the generations.
Other grant recipients included 3 Bridges Community ($14,856) to hold workshops for carers, Shire Woodworking Club ($8,933) to replace a kitchen, Orana NSW Inc ($20,000) to establish a mobile cafe to raise money for a domestic violence case worker, Project Youth ($20,000) to hold a Summer of Skate and Art project, Sutherland Special Needs Toy Library ($2000) to purchase resources for children with additional needs, Be Connected Miranda ($1,875) to start a colouring club for people experiencing mental illness, and the Como Henry Lawson Appreciation Group to stage a Henry Lawson 150th Birthday Celebration in July, 20107.
For more information on Sutherland Shire Council’s Community Services and Arts Grants and to check if your organisation is eligible for next year’s grants, visit the council’s website and follow the links.