Eight local organisations, clubs and groups in south west Victoria will share in over $102,000 of VicHealth funding to help deliver locally-led solutions to support residents hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced South West Sport Inc, Portland Football Netball Cricket Club, South West Victorian Football Association, Portland Yacht Club, Naringal Baptist Church, Warrnambool Adult Riding Club, Port Fairy Netball Association and Warrnambool Tri Club were among the organisations to receive a VicHealth Reimagining Health Grant to help their communities reconnect and improve their health.
The grants are designed to support locals to get more physically active, promote their health and wellbeing, and build stronger social connections within the community.
Local clubs funded in south west Victoria include:
| South West Sport Inc | South West Sport in partnership with Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation and Brophy Youth Services will use the grant to design and implement two place-based sports programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in an Indigenous community in Heywood, and another targeting disengaged youth in Portland. The program will utilise the Doing Sport Differently principles to provide pathways into community sport and/or active recreation with a focus on motivators to participate, reducing barriers, appropriate skill level entry, appropriate instruction/instructors, with cultural experiences being a central aspect. | $50,000 |
| Portland Football Netball Cricket Club INC | Portland Football Netball Cricket Club will use the grant for purchasing sports equipment to deliver netball activities for the U13, U15 & U17 teams. The club aims to increase participation and enthusiasm of the teams who were not able to play due to the Covid-19 pandemic. | $7,320 |
| South West Victorian Football Association | South West Victorian Football Association will use this grant to provide 15 school clinics and two social programs, to increase participation in soccer for school children (aged 7 to 16 years). By reducing the costs for young people experiencing hardship and delivering female specific programs such as Go Girls, the club hopes to promote community participation and connection. | $10,000 |
| Portland Yacht Club | Portland Yacht Club will use this grant to upgrade their safety equipment to ensure the safe continuous running of its free inclusive learn to sailing programs aimed at women, schools and young people. The new equipment will help ensure the high quality of these programs for all community members and encourage ongoing participation. | $9,900 |
| Naringal Baptist Church | Naringal Baptist Church will receive funding to replace an ageing playground at risk of decommissioning. The new playground will provide a safe space for children and families to engage in physical activity within a shared social space in an area that has few other facilities. | $10,000 |
| Warrnambool Breastfeeding Centre | Warrnambool Breastfeeding Centre will use the grant to run a weekly music workshops for children (aged 0-6 years) and their parents/carers mainly targeting those experiencing financial hardships and socially isolated due to Covid-19 lockdowns. The workshops, supervised by an experienced music teacher, will give the participants chances to make social connection through making and enjoying music in a safe environment. | $9,140 |
| Port Fairy Netball Association | Port Fairy Netball Association will be funded to provide junior females, (aged 8-14 years), with a Return to Netball program to improve participation in the sport and physical activity in this age group. This will include funding guest speakers, aerobics instructors, other fitness instructors, and purchasing fruit and t-shirts for participants. | $3,000 |
| Warrnambool Tri Club Inc | Warrnambool Tri Club will be funded to provide free social swim training sessions for the community. Sessions will provide easy access for community members financially unable to access swim facilities and a friendly space to stay physically active and connect with others in the community. | $3,000 |
Ms Tierney said this much-needed funding from VicHealth will kick-start a range of new and exciting initiatives to get people more involved in their communities.
VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio said community organisations play a vital role in helping Victorians hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the Victorian bushfires to connect and take care of their wellbeing.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“We understand how challenging the pandemic has been for grassroots organisations. We stand committed to supporting those in the community who need it most.”
“This funding aims to ensure local organisations can continue supporting our community to get their health and wellbeing back on track in 2021 and beyond.”
“Western Victoria’s grassroots organisations understand our communities needs and can deliver locally-led solutions to empower residents to improve their health and wellbeing in what has been a very tough year.”
Quotes attributable to VicHealth CEO, Dr Sandro Demaio
“This funding is about empowering fantastic grassroots organisations so Victorians facing disadvantage can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being active, eating healthy food and being socially connected.”
