First of Cardinia Shire’s COVID-19 community support grants recipients announced

Part of Council's $1.6 million Community and Business Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support Package, these grants aim to provide support to our community during the pandemic, and to promote increased community connection and health and wellbeing beyond the pandemic.

To date, Council has granted more than $44,000 under the COVID-19 Community Connection Grants and Relief Provider Grants programs to the following recipients.

COVID-19 Community Connections Grants:

Bestchance Child Family Care Bunyip and District Community House Cockatoo Community House (supported by Taskforce Community Agency) Emerald Community House Inc Garfield Netball Club Konnext RightNow Inc Living and Learning Pakenham Inc Tribes Basketball Club Western Port Catchment Landcare Network

COVID-19 Relief Provider Support Grants:

ADRA Baba Budha Ji Charitable Association Inc Bunyip and District Community House Cockatoo Community House (supported by Taskforce Community Agency) Emerald Centre for Hope and Outreach Inc (ECHO) Emerald Community House Inc Follow Bless Collective

Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Jeff Springfield congratulated the successful grant recipients and thanked them for their continued service to the Cardinia Shire community.

“Congratulations to all the successful grant recipients so far!

“We are so grateful for the continued service of all the grant recipients, who are all doing such a great job supporting our community to stay connected during these unusual times, and beyond as state government restrictions ease.

“Council is pleased to be able to provide financial assistance to some of our local support services so that they may continue to support vulnerable people in our community, when it’s needed most,” Cr Springfield said.

The Community Connections Grants are available for eligible community groups to apply for up to $2,000 to support initiatives that aim to increase community connection, reduce feelings of isolation, and improve social, physical and mental health outcomes for our community during this time of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

As state government restrictions gradually ease, the COVID-19 Community Connection Grants Program in its current form will close for applications on 30 June 2020. Council is considering future community support options as part of the Community Recovery Plan for COVID-19.

The Community Relief Provider Support Grants are available to eligible, established service providers, agencies or groups that provide relief services in response to COVID-19. Eligible providers can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to assist in the delivery of COVID-19 specific relief the community.

Applications for the COVID-19 Community Relief Provider Support Grants will remain open until further notice.

For more information and to apply for funding under the COVID-19 Community Connection Grants or Community Relief Provider Support Grants programs, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/covid19grants