Lotterywest grants to help reconnect after COVID

The City of Fremantle has secured a $97,000 grant from Lotterywest for projects to help the community reconnect and recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Building on the City’s successful Neighbour to Neighbour initiative, which was launched during the early months of the COVID crisis last year, the Lotterywest funding will be used to create information showing where people in need can access local support services.

It will also support three art exhibitions aimed at re-engaging sectors of the community that are most at risk of social isolation during the COVID pandemic.

Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said the Lotterywest funding would allow the City to deliver projects that reflect and build on the social inclusion, connectivity and capital of Fremantle.

“Being forced to stay at home, maintain physical distancing and just the uncertainty around COVID-19 can create a real sense of isolation, anxiety and uncertainty for many people in our community,” Cr Sullivan said.

“The Neighbour to Neighbour program was a great way to connect vulnerable people with volunteers who could assist with simple tasks like doing the shopping, walking the dog or even just having a chat, and it’s now really important to build on that success.

“Our COVID-19 Community Recovery Plan was developed to outline the key approaches and priorities of the City over the next 12 months to support the community in recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.

“This Lotterywest grant will help us to assist people to access the support they need to recover and activate places and spaces to bring people back to Fremantle and create opportunities for interaction and connection.”

Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk said she was delighted Lotterywest was supporting the projects.

“Fremantle is well-known for its strong community connections and engagement, however this past year has been one like no other due to COVID-19,” Ms McGurk said.

“It’s fantastic to see Lotterywest funding being used in this way to ensure our most vulnerable community members are less socially isolated during this unprecedented time.”

The Information Alternatives project will enhance access to outreach services for people experiencing extreme vulnerability through service connection and resources. For example, maps will be created to assist people in crisis find the outreach service pathways they require, printed in an accessible portable and large-scale signage.

Hundreds and Thousands, a new major children’s exhibition opening at Fremantle Arts Centre in November, will be a joyous, vibrant experience and opportunity to celebrate our return to gathering.

The free, inclusive exhibition explores colour and will feature several new commissions by local artists. Designed to engage and delight kids of all ages, Hundreds and Thousands will be full of immersive and interactive artworks, fun trails, craft activities and colour-related workshops.

Turn up the Volume is a program led and focused on the voices of Fremantle’s First Nations community, featuring story, music, song and fashion.

Deep Winter, an exhibition led by artists experiencing disability, will evolve out of collaborative workshops and enable individuals to create art works through industry mentorships. The show at the 2021 Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port will be a celebration of the stories, skills and voices of a diverse collection often marginalised artists.

Image: Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk presents the Lotterywest certificate to Fremantle Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan and Fremantle artist Rachel Riggs who’s working with local primary school children to create a colourful tissue paper secret garden for the Hundreds and Thousands exhibition.