South East Water has announced it will be assisting 16 Victorian community groups complete important projects as part of its Community Grants Program.
Now in its fourth year, the program has granted more than $320,000 to 66 community groups across Melbourne’s south-east, helping to make communities better places to live.
South East Water General Manager Customer Experience, Lara Salembier, congratulated the recipients and commended them on their valuable contributions towards supporting a thriving, more liveable community.
“We’re proud to support 16 community groups with a range of projects that support our community and protect our environment,” Ms Salembier said.
“A key area of focus for our grants program is affordability, and this year we’re excited to fund several local projects that support community members with the rising cost of living, from food relief to financial literacy.
“South East Water’s Community Grants program continues to fund local projects that support vulnerable community members; make our environment healthier; help people be more active and connected; and build our knowledge about water and how to use it in the best way possible.
“We look forward to seeing the benefits these 16 projects will deliver for our customers, community and environment.”
The South East Water’s 2023 Community Grants recipients are:
- A Better Life for Foster Kids (Frankston) – crises suitcases filled with essentials for children entering emergency out-of-home care
- Anglican Parish of Longbeach – emergency food relief for those experiencing financial difficulties
- Bayside Community Information and Support Service – pop-up food markets offering nutritious produce, food literacy education and support
- Carrum Downs Secondary College – culturally safe and inclusive space with bush tucker garden for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students to connect
- Casey North Community Information & Support Service – financial literacy program to support community members in managing their finances
- Chelsea Community Support Services – ‘Winter Warmer’ care packs for those struggling with rising energy bills to stay warm and well during winter
- Elwood Lifesaving Club – pool sessions for volunteers to hone their rescue skills during the winter
- Food for Change (Mornington Peninsula) – recycled water system to increase their capacity to grow fresh produce for food relief organisations
- Hastings State Emergency Service – box trailer and battery chargers for emergency vehicles
- Hastings Bowling Club – automated garden watering system, reducing manual labour and conserving water by utilising their rainwater tanks
- Inclusion Melbourne (Stonnington) – plain language guide for community sports organisations to include people with cognitive disabilities in mainstream sports
- Launch Housing (Dandenong) – edible and medicinal garden at Viv’s Place, an apartment building for at-risk women
- Lighthouse Foundation (Frankston) – therapeutic and sustainable garden to engage vulnerable young people
- RSPCA Victoria (Pearcedale) – 5,000L rainwater tanks to manage stormwater at its Pearcedale animal shelter
- Sandy Beach Community Co-Operative Society – kitchen equipment to help cooking classes for people with disabilities
- Tooradin Dalmore Football Club – defibrillator for the football community, ensuring the safety of players, members, and the public
Featured Image: From left to right; Nerida Casey and Avinish Walia from the South East Water Affordability and Payments team; Ada Young and Emerald Bourne from Chelsea Community Support Services; South East Water General Manager Customer Experience, Lara Salembier; Cassie Langerak from Chelsea Community Support Services. Image provided by South East Water.
