By Cr Trent Sullivan
If you want to understand what’s happening in Geelong, Council’s Community Grants program is a good place to start.
Through our 2023-2024 program, we’ve recently awarded a total of $768,766 to 118 different projects.
Reviewing the list of recipients gives a great insight into the vast array of activities happening across the city, and highlights the wealth of innovation, creativity, and talent our residents possess.
As mayor, it gives me great pride that we can back such a wide-cross section of our community life.
The funds for some groups may appear relatively small, but they provide the necessary capital to transform their ideas into reality.
The supported projects, across categories such as arts, environment and events, help make us a healthier, better connected and more sustainable community.
They include:
– $10,000 for a mixed media historical art project by Jun Bin Lee and Platform Arts about the incredible journey of Ham Hop, a Chinese woman who moved to Geelong in the early 20th century.
– A $10,000 grant to the Australian Highland Cattle Society towards a National Highland Cattle Show.
– $9,777 for the North Geelong Warriors Festa, which showcases Croatian food, wine, music, and dancing.
– A $9,246 grant to Corio Model Railway Club to install roof-mounted solar panels; and
– $1700 to the Association of Bengalis in Geelong to promote healthy, low-cost meal preparation among Pakistani women.
You can see the full list of recipients – and find out when the next round of grants open – at geelongaustralia.com.au/grants
In my last Indy column for the year, I wanted to recognise the tireless work of those who support our community.
The demands on the City of Greater Geelong don’t stop during this time, with our essential services continuing to operate.
Thank you to all those at the City – and across other organisations – who are working through the Christmas and New Year period.
This includes agencies such as Geelong Food Relief Centre, which council provides funding to.
There is a lot of pressure on people at this time of year, and Geelong Food Relief Centre assistance to thousands of residents and families who would otherwise struggle to put a good meal on the table.
I’d also like to give thanks to our community centres and neighbourhood houses, who provide a supportive, social space for so many members of their local area.
Through the Christmas-related funding we provide to our neighbourhood houses, primarily in the northern and eastern suburbs, we hope we have helped make the festive season more enjoyable.
Before I sign off, I would like to wish all readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please be safe and take extra care on our roads, during this very busy period.
