Non-for-profit and community organisations will share in $50,000 worth of grants funded by the Boronia Suburban Revitalisation Board and the Victorian state government.
The 18 recipients include sports clubs, preschools, churches, emergency relief, disability support and service organisations.
Knox Mayor, Cr Susan Laukens said the grants supported grassroots groups to strengthen community service programs.
“The Boronia Revitalisation Community Grant fund will support not-for-profit and community organisations to contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of the Boronia,” she said.
“These grants will enhance community wellbeing and social connection by supporting community services and facilities that meet the needs of the community, support social connection and strengthen community groups.”
The Aussie Veterans’ Association, one of the grant recipients, will use the funding to establish a well-being hub within the Boronia Veterans Advocacy Centre. Veterans and their families will have access to support in applying for jobs, completing any claims and a place to connect with other veterans.
The Belonging Matters disability resource and advisory service will use the grant to provide a safe meeting place to benefit people who experienced loneliness and isolation at significantly higher rates during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Many of these grants support organisations in replacing ageing and inadequate equipment to enable greater social connection and participation in the Boronia community.” Cr Laukens said.
Alchester Village Preschool is using the funding towards upgrading cooking facilitates for kindergarten children to help establish healthy eating habits and learning outcomes in maths and language through cooking.
The full list of successful recipients are:
• Alchester Village Preschool ($1,999) to upgrade kindergarten cooking facilities.
• Aussie Veterans’ Association ($3,598) to purchase a computer for the Veterans Advocacy Centre and upgrade the computer at its op shop.
• Belonging Matters ($3,578) to install air filtration devices.
• Boronia and Bayswater Community Church of Christ ($4,946) for a portable sound system to use outdoors.
• Boronia Bowls Club ($5000) for the installation of an audio-visual system, speakers and large screen.
• Boronia Cricket Club ($2,484) to purchase three Apple iPads and Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
• Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club ($5,436) for a new ice machine for first aid responses and catering purposes.
• Cooinda Playgroup ($1,292) for a cordless vacuum, cordless blower, light panel, speaker system and microwave.
• Girl Guides Association of Victoria – Boronia ($717) for a microwave, urn and vacuum cleaner.
• Interchange Outer East ($656) for a blender, toaster, sandwich press, air fryer and microwave.
• Knox Community Baptist Church ($5500) for a hearing augmentation system to connect to its PA system.
• Knox Community Gardens Society ($449) for a mobile system with two microphones, Bluetooth sound capacity, battery, and mains power.
• Knox Infolink ($3,429) for an espresso machine, laptop and contribution towards handsets.
• Knox Photographic Society ($4,789) for a laptop, Wi-Fi, anti-virus subscription, portable PA system, multimedia projector and mobile SIM card.
• Relationships Australia Victoria ($2010) for six docking stations.
• Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Boronia ($3,556) for a computer and two laptops.
• The Basin Community House ($2,900) for a projector and screen to install in Boronia Progress Hall.
• The Haven Day Centre ($1,756) for a laptop and associated equipment.
