Local Merri-bek groups receive boost through Council’s Community Grants Program (Media Release)
Moreland Council has committed more than $380,000 to local not-for-profit organisations through the Community Grants Program to increase access and participation opportunities for Merri-bek residents.
A diverse list of 19 local groups were awarded grants; nine capital works grants up to $40,000 each were announced, to enhance, construct or develop a community facility’s inclusiveness, promote community participation and to improve health and wellbeing.
An additional 10 groups received project grants up to $5,000 each to support the development and implementation of one off new projects and initiatives designed to benefit and engage the Merri-bek community.
Moreland Mayor, Cr Natalie Abboud said, “I’m delighted to announce Council has selected the worthy recipients of this year’s Merri-bek Grants program.
“The program aims to strengthen our local community, drive economic activity, support new ideas and foster a raft of innovative projects to benefit the people of Merri-bek.”
“We received in excess of 30 applications for grants throughout Merri-bek; the successful groups met the funding criteria and were able to show how their projects would increase access and participation, build skills, encourage diversity of activities and opportunities and collaborate with other community groups in Merri-bek,” said Cr Abboud.
Executive Director Shannon Driscoll and Program Director Sally Balhorn, of ‘Girls Rock! Melbourne After School Club’ were the happy recipients of a $5,000 project grant.
“We’re thrilled to receive the grant for what we are sure will prove to be a very popular and educational enterprise,” Shannon said.
“The funds will allow us to start a new after-school music education program with Merri-bek Council at Oxygen Youth Space in term four of 2019.”
The aim of the Girls Rock project is to increase community engagement in musical education for girls, trans, and gender diverse young people from all backgrounds - to connect like-minded young people to positive role models and create a space for teaching music, boosting self-confidence, and working with young people to identify musical skills they might like to learn.
Grants applications were prioritised by an internal multi-disciplinary panel based on funding criteria.
The next round of Project Grant applications will open on 1 August and close 22 September 2019. Visit the Merri-bek City Council website for more information or to apply.
Project Grant recipients:
• Australian Skateboarding Federation - $5,000
• And Also Presents - $5,000
• Girls Rock! Melbourne - $5,000
• Healthy Futures (Friends of the Earth Australia) - $4,968
• Hepatitis Victoria - $4,996
• Melbourne Homeless Collective - $5,000
• Operation Newstart Northern - $5,000
• Project Respect - $4,983
• Uniting (Victoria Tasmania) Limited - $4,982
• Whitelion Youth Agency Limited - $5,000
Capital Works Partnership Grant recipients:
• 1st Coburg Scout Group - $40,000
• Brunswick Bowling Club - $21,000
• Brunswick City Soccer Club - $40,000
• Coburg Basketball Association - $32,123
• Coburg Districts Football Club - $40,000
• Oak Park Community Sports Association - $40,000
• Pascoe Vale Sports Club - $40,000
• Reynard Street Neighbourhood House - $40,000
• St Andrews Cricket Club Pascoe Vale - $40,000