$10,000 in grants up for grabs

ANOTHER round of grants totalling $10,000 are up for grabs for local community groups thanks to the generosity of Villawood Properties.

Through its Armstrong Community Grants initiative the local developer is offering grants of $500 and $1000, with a one-off $5000 cash windfall, for successful applicants.

Villawood spokesman Mike Treloar said the company was passionate about backing the community and the grants were a chance to “put our money where our mouth is” to support local residents.

“So, please, tell us about your group or cause and why it’s important to our Armstrong community,” Mr Treloar said.

“It might be a stamp collecting club, a bird-watching twitchers group, maybe a craft collective or an acapella singers’ session – whatever it is that rocks your world, let us know and we’ll see if we can help.

“All up, we’re talking a total $10,000 in grants on offer to eligible groups.

“We’re welcoming applications from groups including cultural, recreation, community, not-for-profit, sporting clubs and schools.”

To be eligible for an Armstrong Community Grant, groups must be local organisations that have operated for more than 12 months in one of the following areas:

*Armstrong Creek
* Mount Duneed
* Marshall
* Charlemont
* Torquay
* Grovedale
* Waurn Ponds.

The Armstrong Community Grants initiative was launched in 2015 and since then a diverse range of charities, sporting clubs and community groups have benefited including the Grovedale Tigers Football Netball Club, Mount Duneed Pony Club, Grovedale Neighbourhood House, Torquay Surf Life Saving Club, Aerosport Allstars and Australian Men’s Shed Association – among many others.

Villawood also sponsors the Geelong Cats, who share its commitment to community, and the players often attend local events held in the Armstrong Creek area.

More than 70 members of the club have taken up living at Villawood’s Armstrong Mount Duneed community.

Mr Treloar said Villawood had received a number of grant applications already from schools, charity groups and not-for-profits.

He encouraged people to tell their friends, family and work colleagues who they thought might be interested in applying for the funding.

Grant applications for this year’s round close on June 15, with the 2021 recipients to be confirmed on July 1.

Only applicants who provide the required information in the application form will be considered.

For an application form, please email: [email protected] with ‘Community Grant Application’ in the subject line.