Community groups keen to showcase and celebrate their cultural heritage with a project or event can apply for a cash boost under the City of Whittlesea’s Cultural Heritage Funding Program.
The next round of the program is now open and offers grants up to $2000 to support projects which showcase and celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of the City of Whittlesea and its residents.
Administrator Peita Duncan said the Cultural Heritage Funding Program was a great opportunity for individuals or groups wanting to share their culture with the community.
“We’re so lucky to have such a diverse community within the City of Whittlesea,” Ms Duncan said.
“Lockdowns have limited our ability to celebrate the rich culture our city has to offer, which is why the Cultural Heritage Funding Program is especially important this year.
“We’re looking forward to supporting the community with funding to help get brand new cultural events off the ground, as we begin to return to a new COVID normal.”
The funding program has been running since 2005, with more than 140 successful grants delivered.
Grant recipient Thurka Kalaichelvan from the Tamil Women Intercultural Organisation said her group was fortunate to receive the grant for their project, Tamil Cultural Heritage Through Generations. Their 2021 event will showcase Tamil language and literature, music, dance and drama, cuisine, sports and martial arts and celebrations through workshops and displays – subject to COVID restrictions.
Mrs Kalaichelvan said it would be difficult for the group to hold such a large event without Council’s support.
“It’s really good to get financial support from Council, we can’t raise all the money,” she said.
Other recent recipients include the Al Zahra Community Association, for their Super Ladies social group for Islamic women, and the Elia Language School in Epping for a traditional Iranian New Year (Nowruz) celebration.
