Recipients of round one of Georges River Council's 2019/20 Community Grants Program and the Doing It Differently (DID) Grants Program were announced at an awards ceremony at the Georges River Council Civic Centre in Hurstville this week.
The council allocated $150,964 in funding to 27 community groups through the Vibrant Georges River and Capacity Building categories in its Community Grants Program.
In addition, nine projects received a total of $56,260 in funding from the Doing It Differently Grants initiative, a program delivered in partnership with South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) and Calvary Health Care Kogarah.
Georges River Council mayor Kevin Greene said that both programs attracted a significant response, with a diverse mix of local groups successfully accessing funding for community improvement projects.
"I am very pleased to be able to continue to support the Georges River community through Council's Community Grants Program, which is designed to facilitate partnerships between Council and the community, to develop projects which have a positive impact on local residents," Councillor Greene said.
"The funding will help some fantastic projects get off the ground, which cater to a range of community members, including young people, senior citizens, children, musicians, artists, Indigenous residents and people living with disability.
"I am proud that this year Council is also able to support the Doing It Differently Grants Program for the first time, in partnership with South Eastern Sydney LocalHealth District and Calvary Health Care Kogarah.
"This is a fantastic initiative which builds on the strengths of the community to reduce social isolation and loneliness and create long lasting change in communities.
"I would like to congratulate each of the community organisations that were successful in securing a grant, and I look forward to seeing the many projects come to life across the next year," Cr Greene said.
Community Grants Projects include The ELEVATE Festival by Shopfront Arts Co-op; Creative Dreaming - a creative arts project by 3Bridges for Bidjigal people with disabilities; a social inclusion dog group for Carss Park; a new kitchen for Project Youth's Centre in Dora Street, Hurstville; the Moving Picture Show by the St George Players at the Civic Theatre; and professional development opportunities for Endeavour Harmony Chorus.
Doing It Differently programs include the creation of a Breakfast Club at Hurstville Public School; the Bibby Street Neighbourhood Project; a resilience program for the Bangladesh Society of Sydney; and support for the Family Hub in St George, which encourages harmonious family activities in the community.
Tobi Wilson, Chief Executive, SESLHD, said the initiative was inspired by an innovative approach which recognises that alongside healthcare professionals, local communities are active and equal partners to create effective solutions to improve health and wellbeing.
"The Doing It Differently grants are an example of how we can successfully build on the strengths and resources that already exist within the community to empower local residents to generate positive health outcomes specifically tailored to their needs," Mr Wilson said.
Eight projects were allocated Community Grants funding in the Vibrant Georges River category, for grants of up to $25,000 over two years. This category, which awarded a total of $59,974, focuses on establishing arts and cultural programs in the Georges River area.
19 community organisations received $90,990 in funding through the program's Capacity Building category, which offered grants of up to $10,000 for each community group. These grants will help recipients deliver community projects with a focus on benefiting the most vulnerable communities in the community.
Grants of up to $10,000 per project were allocated through the Doing It Differently initiative, in partnership with SESLHD Health Promotion Service and Calvary HealthCare Kogarah, to support projects that improve health and wellbeing and create well connected communities.
Georges River Council offers two Community Grant rounds each year. Round two of the 2019/20 Community Grants Program will open in February 2020 and close March 2020. The recipients of round two will be announced in May 2020.
For more information on Georges River Council's grants programs, visit:
www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/grants or call Council on 9330 6400.
