Community groups awarded thousands in funding support

Greater Western Water has awarded $33,000 to 16 community groups, helping people across Melbourne’s west connect and celebrate what makes our city and towns great.

The community sponsorship program supports not-for-profit events across the new Greater Western Water service area, from Melbourne CBD out to the growing west and surrounding regional townships.

Funding will support a range of COVIDSafe online and face-to-face activities planned by groups over the remainder of this year.

All events share a commitment to educating participants about the value of water in our everyday lives, such as ways to save water at home and the benefits of reusable drinking water bottles.

Greater Western Water’s General Manager of Strategy and Planning, Richard Smith, said sharing community values and interests is at the heart of the new organisation.

“Our role goes beyond providing an essential service, we’re also partners in the life of our community and are committed to supporting events that bring people together.

“The events we’re supporting are what makes our region a great place to be - whether that’s a fun family day out, an opportunity to learn something new or a celebration of our cultural diversity.”

All events must operate within the COVIDSafe Settings and permissions that apply at the time of their event.

Information about Greater Western Water’s 2022 community sponsorship program will be available later this year. Visit: gww.com.au/sponsorship

The successful recipients are:

• University of Melbourne - Boonwurrung and Kulin Youth Dance Group event, featuring 5 days of cultural activities and performances to unite Indigenous youth.
• VICSEG New Futures program, supports newly arrived and recently settled migrant communities throughout western Melbourne regions.
• Christmas at the Lake, Point Cook, annual family festival with entertainment, market stalls and fireworks display.
• Sunbury Aboriginal Corporation - Sunbury Community NAIDOC Day, facilitates reconciliation and inspires a sense of pride in local Aboriginal history.
• Seddon Village Traders Association  - Seddon Christmas Fair, connects community through local business stalls, roving entertainers and children’s activities.
• Williamstown Community Education Centre – Be Water Wise, Williamstown, celebrates Recycling Week, focusing on reducing the use of single use plastic bottles.
• Ethiopian Sport and Cultural Federation - Soccer Week, Altona City Football Club, links community members with support services, promoting healthy living.
• Werribee Rivers Association - Iconic Photos of Wyndham, online competition to showcase Wyndham’s landscape, waterways and birdlife.
• Goonawarra Golf Club  - Junior Golf Program, educates students on basics of golf, with focus on saving water and reducing single use plastics.
• Hindu Dharma Community of Melbourne Inc. - Onam Multicultural Festival,  National festival of Kerala, celebrates tradition and culture with focus on programs for women and older people.
• Wyndham Community and Education Centre - Wyndham Learning Festival, themed ‘Re-emerge, Connect and Thrive’, reflecting the challenges many communities face during the pandemic.
• Women’s Federation for World Peace  - Melbourne Pasifika Festival, promotes community cohesion and educates on Pasifika customs through food, dance, craft and education.
• Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House - Riddells Creek Twilight Festival,  recognises and celebrates essential service workers and provides opportunity for community members to reconnect.
• Albion Community Soccer Hub - Refugee Week Soccer Tournament, creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in community sport.
• Wyndham Park Community Centre -  Wyndham Wetlands Festival, water-wise gardening workshops, water cycle education and alternative ways to use water are a key focus of this event.
• Moral Fairground - Fair @ square Ethical Lifestyle Festival, focuses on sustainability, including ‘Grow Local’ platform to set up a vegetable patch and save water while growing food and compost.