Vicinity Community Grants recipients announced

Recipients of the inaugural Vicinity Community Grants have been announced with $50,000 awarded across 16 community organisations.  

Vicinity Community Grants focused on four key areas: youth engagement and youth underemployment, environmental rejuvenation, education, and community well-being.  

Vicinity Centres Head of Sustainability, Meredith Banks said, “The Vicinity Community Grants program has been a huge success and is just one of the ways in which Vicinity makes a positive impact in the communities in which it operates.” 

Elizabeth City Centre in South Australia awarded grants to Streetlight and Hopestreet to help youth get job-ready, along with Playford Community Fund that helps families access food and essential supplies.  

Bankstown Central in New South Wales awarded grants to Humanity Matters for helping young people get into hospitality, Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre Inc for its Kitchen Garden Program for migrant and refugee women, Koorana Child and Family Services to assist with its program for high support learning needs, Creaking Links NSW to teach business skills, and Recreation and Sports Clubs Inc for its outings with people with disability and their carers.

In Victoria, The Glen awarded grants to Wave Care Inc for its low-cost counselling program, Mount Street Neighbourhood House which helps improve social connectivity, Kerrie Neighbourhood House to help locals live more sustainable lives, Monash Men’s Shed to help restore electronic goods and prevent them from going to landfill, and HousingFirst Ltd for an art program for those in social housing.

Karratha City in Western Australia awarded grants to Reach Us Pilbara to help residents undergoing cancer treatment, Headspace Anglicare to install a community wellbeing mural, and Empowering People in Communities to help deliver an all-inclusive outdoor activity space.

Vicinity Community Grants’ total pool of $50,000 was available across four local government areas and reflects Vicinity's ongoing commitment to supporting the local communities where its centres are located. In FY22 Vicinity contributed $2.9 million in community investment through targeted community programs.