Community Fund Presentation Nights 2024

Presentation nights for the 2024 Community Funds have been held across our Victorian residential communities.

It was another diverse range of grassroots community groups and not-for-profit organisations doing valuable work in their local area.

This year a total of $156,000 was distributed to 104 groups.

Congratulations to all chosen by the judging panels.

Craigieburn-based Second Chance Animal Rescue CEO Marisa Debattista, the $1,500 Peppercorn Hill Community Fund grant will prove invaluable in terms of supporting the Group’s animal rescue work.

“As Second Chance Animal Rescue is run entirely by volunteers and funded solely by donations and fundraising, one of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring that we have enough funding to continue providing free emergency boarding, pet food and other support for people who suddenly find themselves unable to care for their pets for any range of reasons from escaping domestic violence or homelessness.”

Dinushka O’Neill is the Community Engagement Officer and lives near Modeina. She said the funds will be used to hire a bus that will transport families to services.

“We had music therapy sessions run in from June to September and a lot of families couldn’t attend because they didn’t have way of getting there,” Dinushka said.

In December they run a Santa shop and invite all involved families to come in and pick gifts for their children.

“We want to be able to give those families the freedom to access the Santa Shop as well other services we offer.”

Down the road from Ashbury, Freshwater Creek CFA Commander, Nick Callan, said the grant will provide much needed amenities at the Brigade’s Station.

“This funding is an opportunity to give something back to our local volunteers and will be put directly towards improving the station, including the station kitchen and making the space a little more comfortable and welcoming.”

“Like all CFA brigades, ours is made up entirely of volunteers who do an amazing job to protect lives and property people living in our community, not just from bushfires, but all sorts of hazards and incidents, day and night, all year round.”

Bernadene Voss, CEO of Big Group Hug, said the Westbrook Community Fund grant helps mobilise their services.

“We rely on community support,” Bernadene said.

“The $1,500 from the Westbrook Community Fund will go towards purchasing toiletries for teens when families have to flee a situation such as domestic violence.”

Community Funds run in the second half of the year, with applications opening August and close in September.

To stay in the loop about future Community Fund grants, please contact us.