Grants promote community connections

37 community organisations will share in more than $140,000 from the Bayside Community Grants program for 2019/20, creating opportunities for greater connection within the municipality.

The program offers grants of up to $7,500 to encourage and assist local not-for-profit community organisations to enhance and improve a range of leisure, cultural, community development, environmental, health, educational, recreational, sporting and welfare programs and activities offered to Bayside residents.

Bayside City Council Mayor, Councillor Michael Heffernan said the grants provided important support to help community organisations offer services in a wide range of areas.

“The 37 grant recipients reflect the diverse groups and interests of the Bayside community. They include sports clubs, support groups, kindergartens and grass roots community organisations,” Cr Heffernan said.

“The grants help strengthen community connections by creating opportunities for people to come together with a common purpose to learn a new skill or share an experience. This contributes to the overall health and wellbeing of our Bayside community.”

In 2019/20 the maximum grant amount rose from 5,000 to $7,500.

The successful community recipients will be invited to a celebration evening on 19 September at Bayside’s Arts and Cultural Centre.

Grant recipient case studies

Boon Wurrung Land and Sea Council – support for the development of a book outlining the history of the Boon Wurrung since sovereignty. BayCISS - Family Violence Counselling Pilot Program. Pilot counselling program providing support for individuals affected by family violence identifying the need for ongoing counselling services. St Peters Kindergarten - Body safety and protective behaviours for pre-schoolers including information sessions and resources for preschool children, parents/families and teachers about body safety and protective behaviours. Hampton Community Centre - Urban Food Production Planting of sustainable vegetable gardens at Hampton Community Centre and at Ludstone St public housing community facility. Southern Metro Junior Football League Healthy Choices Canteen Pilot program – educating canteen and community volunteers on promoting healthy choices for football club canteens.

View the full list of 2019/20 Bayside Community Grants recipients