Grants to protect and renew Aboriginal cultural heritage

One of the greatest impacts any council can have is by supporting local clubs and groups with funding for new facilities, community-led projects and events.

These types of organisations – be they sporting clubs, arts collectives, conservation groups or senior citizens clubs – make a huge contribution to the overall health and wellbeing of our community.

They’re nearly always volunteer-run and operate on tight budgets where any small investment of outside funds is hugely valuable.

Greater Geelong councillors across the board recognise their importance, which is why year-on-year we continue to expand and invest more heavily in our Community Grants program.

This year, we’re making $4.042 million in grants available, and applications are open now across a wide range of categories.

Grants range from as little as a few hundred dollars for new equipment, up to $350,000 for facilities upgrades such as changerooms or floodlights.

As a councillor representing Greater Geelong’s northern suburbs and towns, I have seen first-hand the impact these grants can make.

Sporting clubs in the north have benefited greatly from community grants over the past two years.

North Shore Football Club, Lara Football Club, Lara United Football Club, and North Geelong Warriors have all received the maximum $350,000 grant to install floodlights on their ovals or pitches. Good floodlights are essential for training in winter, but also open up opportunities for night matches – meaning clubs can cater to more teams and welcome more players.

This is especially important given the wonderful explosion of female participation we are seeing across both Australian football and soccer.

Norlane Bowling Club received a $350,000 grant in our 2020-21 grants program to install a new synthetic green, while Corio Northern Suburbs United Social and Sports Club Inc was awarded $28,000 to upgrade the fencing behind its goals.

But some of the much smaller grants can also make a big difference.

Not-for-profit organisation the Koala Clancy Foundation received a $9000 grant to plant a native vegetation corridor on a farm near the You Yangs.

This project aims to provide habitat for our precious koalas and assist their movement towards fertile ground near rivers and streams, especially in times of drought or bushfire.

Corio Norlane Lions Club received a $5000 grant to support its Community Computer Project, which involves obtaining and then donating computers to families in need.

And the Norlane West Scout Group successfully applied for a $4000 grant to install solar at its Scout hall.

These are just a few examples from Geelong’s north, but we have awarded hundreds of grants across the Greater Geelong region. We’re looking forward to supporting many more worthy projects through the current round, especially given so many volunteer-run clubs and groups have taken such a hit to their finances and morale as a result of the latest lockdown.

All up, there are 11 grants categories open right now, covering community facilities, environmental sustainability, arts projects and festivals, community projects, equipment, community events and heritage.

This also includes grants for organisations interested in running events or activities during Children’s Week or the Seniors Festival.

For the first time this year we are pleased to be introducing First Nations Cultural Heritage grants for projects that preserve, protect and renew Aboriginal cultural heritage – with $200,000 in funding available over two rounds.

There is thousands of years of First Nations history in our region that deserves to be recognised and celebrated, so we hope this new fund will support some very worthwhile projects.

It adds to our existing Heritage Grants fund, which has been expanded outside of central Geelong for the first time to become available to historically significant properties across the region.

Please visit geelongaustralia.com.au/grants to find out more about what grants are available, and to apply.

And if you need some help with your application, please consider attending a free grants writing session.

There are several dates and times available – information is on the website.

If there is anything you would like to speak to me about, please get in touch. Email [email protected] or phone 0434 307 043.

Councillor Kylie Grzybek represents the Windermere Ward.