Stressed-out students, netball players, Japanese language learners and seniors seeking social interaction will all benefit from grants totalling almost $75,000 to be provided under the Bayside Council Community Grants Program for 2018-2019.
Bayside Council had a budget allocation of $100,000 for community grants in 2018-19 and a total of 31 applications were received totalling $103,920.
There were two types of grants available, small grants of up to $2,000 to be spent on equipment, activities or information resources; and seeding grants of up to $5,000 to support new initiatives to address social, cultural, creative and artistic or leisure needs of the community.
The assessment panel recommended 23 small and seeding grants be made by the council with a total value of $74,920.
These include $1,822 for 3Bridges Community to run a stress and anxiety program and facilitate a 'mind break' from HSC work.
The Brighton Bunnies Playgroup will receive $880 to run an eight-week music program to encourage parents to find new ways to increase their children's physical activity.
Rockdale PUblic School P&C Association will receive $2,000 to establish an inclusive play space for students to have a quiet area away from the larger playground area.
St George District Netball Association will get $2,000 to purchase new equipment.
Advance Diversity Services will get $2,000 as set-up costs for a new Japanese Language School and $5,000 to establish a Japanese Arts and Culture Club for the emerging Japanese community in Rockdale.
The Australian Sydney Southern Chinese Cultural And Entertainment Centre will get $5,000 to conduct English classes.
Bayside Anglican Church will get $5,000 to start a new seniors program and $5,000 to develop a new community playgroup for the increasing number of young families moving into the area.
Grant applicants were assessed by a panel consisting of Bayside Citizen of the Year Marion Cartwright, independent community representative Ian Todd, and FACS NSW government representative Thai Tran.
