Community groups across Gosnells and surrounding suburbs have received a welcome boost this year.
The Rotary Club of Southern Districts awarded $40,000 in grants to 27 local organisations.
The annual Community Grants Program supports a wide range of local projects, from school programs and community events to support services for vulnerable residents and wildlife care.
According to Rotary Club of Southern Districts Community Service Director Malcolm Kerr, the program began around 2019 and has continued to grow each year as demand increases.
“We run four areas of service: Community, International, Youth and Vocational,” he said.
“This program is a major part of our Community Service, assisting many local community groups to fund their projects.”
Mr Kerr said the funding comes from the club’s weekly Maddington Bring and Buy market, held every Sunday morning at Maddington Shopping Centre, where club members volunteer their time.
This year’s grants will support projects ranging from breakfast programs for students to activities for elderly residents and socially isolated people.
“The projects are wide-ranging, from caring for injured wildlife to providing activities and amenities for young children to providing breakfast for students at school to providing activities for the elderly and the socially isolated,” Mr Kerr said.
He said the grants were especially important at a time when many not-for-profit groups were struggling to raise funds on their own.
“Many not-for-profit community groups struggle to raise their money,” he said.
“They run raffles and do barbeques, but our grants program gives them the opportunity to receive substantial funding through reaching out to our strongly committed and community minded Club.”
Among this year’s recipients was the Gosnells Women’s Collective Inc., which received funding to purchase a barbecue, accessories and a gazebo to support future fundraising and community events.
The group said the equipment would help create more affordable and welcoming events for women in the community.
“By creating relaxed, social spaces where women can share food and conversation, we aim to support mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness and social isolation, and foster stronger community connections,” the organisation said.
The South Thornlie Primary School Parents and Citizens Group was also awarded funding to purchase new interschool sports shirts for students.
The group said the shirts would help students feel included and reduce financial pressure on families.
“Providing school owned interschool shirts removes financial barriers for families who may struggle to purchase specialised sportswear ensuring every student can participate equally, regardless of their circumstance,” the group said.
Mr Kerr said Rotary hoped the program would continue strengthening the wider community.
“There are so many community groups that have great ideas but struggle to completely fund them,” he said.
“The more we can assist them in this way, the better our community will be for all.”
