Trust bowls grant to Banno library

BANNOCKBURN Library has received a 2023 National Backyard Cricket grant.

Awarded by organisations including the LBW Trust and Friends of Libraries Australia, the funding worth nearly $1500 is set to back Bannockburn Library’s Lego program.

The initiative is not only brick-based, but includes robotics and coding, aiming to get children flexing their collaborative, creative, and problem-solving muscles in a relaxed, social atmosphere.

“We are so grateful to receive this funding from National Backyard Cricket,” said Geelong Regional Libraries CEO Vanessa Schernikau.

“It makes a huge difference for particularly for our small, rural communities.”

FOLA president Jack Goodman said the heart of regional communities is often the local library.

“Country libraries [provide] havens where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to share ideas, learn new skills and connect with each other,” he said.

“These grants are another example of the exceptional projects being run by Australia’s under-funded and under-valued country public libraries.”

Seventy-eight libraries, eight of which are in Victoria, are sharing more than $110,000 as part of this grant round.

“We look forward to seeing their projects come to life and the difference they will make in their community,” National Backyard Cricket chair Marek Ristwej said.

“National Backyard holds a special place in Australia and it is wonderful to be able to combine our love of cricket with supporting country libraries.

“Funding has been made possible by the generous donations of individuals who participated in 2022-2023 NBYC events, plus great support from retailer Harvey Norman and LBW Trust supporters.”

The LBW Trust stands for Learning for a Better World.