These five worthy groups have a huge impact on the communities in Melbourne’s west and we’re proud to contribute funds to help them continue providing support and engagement programs.
These five worthy groups have a huge impact on the communities in Melbourne’s west and we’re proud to contribute funds to help them continue providing support and engagement programs.
Cleanaway is proud to award $50,000 worth of grants to five community groups in Melbourne, funded through our Melbourne Regional Landfill (MRL) Community Benefit Fund.
Launched in 2019, the MRL Community Benefit Fund is an annual grant to support local sustainability projects, welfare programs and wellbeing programs in community groups neighbouring MRL, located in Melbourne’s west.
The 2020 grant recipients are Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN), Burnside Heights Football Club, Caroline Chisholm Society, George Cross Football Club, and Caroline Springs Cricket Club. The recipients were selected by a review panel including councillors from Melton City Council and Brimbank City Council and Cleanaway’s Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager, Olga Ghiri.
Olga said of the fund: “Cleanaway is delighted to provide funding to local initiatives. These five worthy groups have a huge impact on the communities in Melbourne’s west and we’re proud to contribute funds to help them continue providing support and engagement programs.”
Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN)
The WERN community aid program is run by Rotary Clubs across the West of Melbourne, collecting and redistributing second-hand furniture, bedding, electrical and whitegoods to assist refugees, victims of domestic violence, homelessness and mental health.
WERN assists an average of forty families each month and has more than 360 accredited case managers dedicated to delivering support services to people in need. The program was also one of the recipients in the 2019 MRL Community Benefit Fund.
Burnside Heights Football Club
Burnside Heights Football Club, also known as The Bears, is a community-based Australian Rules football club with a strong emphasis on junior player development.
Due to the shutdown of sport during the COVID-19 pandemic, the club has suffered a lack of income that would normally come from registrations and canteen and merchandise purchases. The grant money will enable The Bears to purchase uniforms for volunteers and provide jackets for players to wear while on the bench.
Caroline Chisholm Society
Caroline Chisholm Society provides support to pregnant women and parents of young children. The Society provides a range of programs for families in need, including counselling, housing, material aid, and maternal and child health assessments.
Cleanaway’s funding for the Caroline Chisholm Society will go towards running costs, practitioners, clinical supervision, and providing material aid to vulnerable women and children.
George Cross Football Club
Established in 1947, George Cross Football Club is a soccer club for players of a variety of ages. The club plays in Victoria’s State League Division 1, a regional, semi-professional league.
The club aims to achieve a better balance of male and female participation in soccer by introducing new female teams. The funding will support upgraded facilities, a new strength and conditioning program, and fully accredited coaches.
Caroline Springs Cricket Club
Caroline Springs Cricket Club was established in 2003 by local parents wanting to support the growing number of junior players looking to play cricket. Since then, the club has grown to include 180 members across six senior teams and 12 junior teams.
Cleanaway’s funding will enable the club to provide specialist coaching programs for its coaching staff.
To learn more about how we’re making a sustainable future possible working with communities across Australia, contact Olga Ghiri, Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager on olga.ghiri@cleanaway.com.au or 0478 316237.
Cleanaway is committed to our priority SDGs aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are committed to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and we engage with local communities to understand the economic, environmental and social forces that shape Australia’s future needs.
Find out more in our 2020 Sustainability Report.