Swimming lessons for young Ukranian refugees, tattoos for breast cancer survivors and a school centenary celebration were among the diverse projects to receive funding in the latest round of Waverley Council’s Small Grants Program.
Council voted to support 23 grants to the value of $73,556 to help deliver community and cultural, environmental and creative streets projects in the local area.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, held a celebration this week for the grant recipients whose grassroots projects are making positive contributions and striving for better outcomes within the community.
The Small Grants Program provides financial assistance across three key areas:
- Community and Cultural: Aims to support the delivery of identifiable social, cultural and recreational benefits to Waverley’s community that align with goals in the Waverley Community Strategic Plan and Council’s Arts and Culture Plan
- Environmental: Aims to support environmental improvement projects that align with goals in the Waverley Community Strategic Plan, and Council’s Environmental Action Plan
- Creative Streets: Aims to support community contributions to public spaces that align with goals in the Waverley Community Strategic Plan using an urban interventions framework.
“Our Small Grants Program is just one of the ways that Waverley Council recognizes and supports the exceptional efforts of community groups and individuals in enhancing the wellbeing and quality of life for the residents and visitors to our local area,” Mayor Masselos said.
“It recognizes the importance of grassroots efforts in addressing local needs and challenges, fostering community spirit, and creating a vibrant and inclusive environment for residents by investing in our community.
“Through this local government initiative, we aim to empower our grant recipients to continue their impactful projects and initiatives.”
Projects recognised in this latest round of funding were:
Arts and Culture category:
PROJECT | APPLICANT | TARGET AUDIENCE |
Brigid the Rebel Festival | The Prankqueans | Irish community |
Becoming—an evening of music | Sarah Jane Moore | General Public |
Exhibition of Head On Portrait Awards | Head On Foundation | General Public |
Music Score— Saving Bondi Pavilion | Friends of the Bondi Pavilion | General Public |
Climate Change the Artic to Bondi | Michele Barker | General Public |
Unvoiced—Queer Youth Podcasting | Matriark Theatre | Youth |
Grants total: $23,000 |
Community:
PROJECT | APPLICANT | TARGET AUDIENCE |
Precinct Fete | Diamond Bay Vaucluse Precinct | Community Engagement |
Chanukah in the Park | Dover Heights Shule | Jewish community |
Cultural Anchors & Heritage Icons | Waverley Action Group Inc | Community Engagement |
Bondi Beach Public School Centenary | Bondi Beach Public School | Children & Families |
Swim for Ukraine program | Bondi Icebergs Club | Refugee children |
North Bondi Share Board | Cameron Scott | General Public |
Local Bird Walks | Jade Peace | General Public |
Memories of Cinemas Past and Present | Waverley Historical Society | General Public |
Mentor Program Networking Night | City East Community College | Migrants |
Tattoos for Breast Cancer Survivors | Daniela Silva | Women |
A WAYS Safe Summer | Waverley Action for Youth Services | Youth |
Bring Back Morning Tea | Bondi Beach Playgroups | Children & Families |
Grants total: $36,856 |
Environment:
PROJECT | APPLICANT | TARGET AUDIENCE |
Compost Grow and More | Dover Heights Early Education Centre | Reduce waste |
Active Transport | Galilee Catholic School | Active Transport |
Wildlife Rescue | Sydney Metro Wildlife Rescue | Biodiversity |
Grants total: $7,200 |
Creative Streets:
PROJECT | APPLICANT | TARGET AUDIENCE |
North Bondi Community Bookshelf Upgrade | Louis Litrenta | Streetscape |
Bondi Bowlo Community Garden | Bondi Bowling Club Co-Op | Streetscape |
Grants total: $6,500 |
“I want to thank our grant recipients for taking the time and effort to devise and propose these projects that add to Waverley’s cultural, social and environmental fabric,” Mayor Masselos said.
“These grant applications highlight Waverley as an inclusive and caring community, and with a little help from Council, our recipients can continue to make a big difference to the lives of the people their projects are designed to support.”
Grants are offered in two rounds that are advertised in March and August each year and proposals are put through a rigorous assessment process.
