Applications open for community grants

APPLICATIONS have now opened for the latest round of grants from Torquay Community Enterprise (TCE).

The annual program offers grants to charitable and not-for-profit organisations.

One recent successful application was for the Ocean Views Park improvement project, originally a community proposal made to the Surf Coast Shire council in 2017.

The project proposal was to reinvigorate the park, including developing a shelter, improved grass open space, developing a liner orchard to promote healthy eating, improving the park for socialising and community gatherings.

The financial support from the Torquay Community Enterprise was used to develop the first stage of the orchard with the purchase of fruit trees including limes, lemons, peaches, mandarins and oranges.

Ultimately, the project is intended to allow children to pick fruit with their families and learn about the benefits of growing produce in their local community.

Grants are available for projects in Torquay, Jan Juc, Bellbrae, Connewarre or Freshwater Creek.

Projects and activities must offer clear public benefit to the community, building social capital and supporting community welfare, and grants have a $2,000 cap (inclusive of GST).

Preference will be given to projects that support:

• Access and equity for all abilities
• Community capacity building projects
• Cultural and arts initiatives
• Environmental conservation and awareness
• Families, children and youth initiatives
• Community health and wellbeing
• Schools and early education
• Sport and recreation initiatives, or
• Preservation of regional history.

Applications opened on Monday this week and close at midnight on April 26.

For more information or how to apply, head to the TCE website at torquaycommunityenterprise.org.au.