Groups share $100k of grants

NINETEEN local projects are sharing one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of Ballarat Foundation 2021 community grants.

One recipient is the Ballarat Community Garden, and group chair Sheilagh Kentish said their $3900 boost means they can construct a new greenhouse.

“This grant is very important for us because it’s going to enable us to expand our program,” she said.

“We’re working together with the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council to engage people from their network wanting to develop gardening and food-growing skills,” she said.

With a range of groups and orgnisations across the city receiving money, Ballarat Foundation chair Wayne Weaire said those behind the programs inject the city with character.

“It’s the work that these groups do that helps make our community what it is; a place where people do so much for each other,” he said.

Other community impact grants recipients include A Pot of Courage’s tiered empowerment initiative, Ballarat Tool Library, Ballarat Community Church’s Doorways program, Ballarat East Neighbourhood House’s playgroup and Ballarat Community Health’s Go4Green.

Anglicare’s cooking classes, Uniting’s Meals for Change, Mercy Connect refugee mentoring, Phoenix College’s Breakfast Club, the Ballarat Toy Library, and Salvos’ LARF Mentoring program have also been boosted by the grants.

The Foundation’s Wendouree-Delacombe Sub-Fund has supported Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre’s Refresh project, the Wendouree West Exodus Community’s family holiday weekend, and Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre and Delacombe Chairs Forum’s newsletter.

Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre has also benefited from the Courier Charity Fund, alongside Uniting’s Breezeway Meals program.

Ballarat City Rowing Club’s junior athletes received money from the Peter Amor Sports Participation Fund, as has Basketball Ballarat for their All-Abilities Rookie Hoops program.