Community grants support cost of living

South East Water has announced the recipients of its annual Community Grants Program, with 16 community groups receiving funding to bring important projects to life.

Now in its fourth year, the program has granted over $320,000 to 66 community groups across Melbourne’s south-east, helping make communities better places to live.

South East Water General Manager Customer Experience, Lara Salembier congratulated the recipients and commended them on their valuable contributions towards supporting a thriving, more liveable community.

“We’re proud to support 16 community groups with a range of projects that support our community and protect our environment,” said Ms Salembier. 

South East Water’s Community Grants program continues to fund local projects that support vulnerable community members; make our environment healthier; help people be more active and connected; and build our knowledge about water and how to use it in the best way possible.

Congratulations to South East Water’s 2023 Community Grants recipients:

A Better Life for Foster Kids (Frankston) – crises suitcases filled with essentials for children entering emergency out-of-home care.
Anglican Parish of Longbeach – emergency food relief for those experiencing financial difficulties.
Bayside Community Information and Support Service – pop-up food markets offering nutritious produce, food literacy education and support.
Carrum Downs Secondary College – culturally safe and inclusive space with bush tucker garden for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students to connect.
Casey North Community Information & Support Service – financial literacy program to support community members in managing their finances.
Chelsea Community Support Services – ‘Winter Warmer’ care packs for those struggling with rising energy bills to stay warm and well during winter.
Elwood Lifesaving Club – pool sessions for volunteers to hone their rescue skills during the winter.
Food for Change (Mornington Peninsula) – recycled water system to increase their capacity to grow fresh produce for food relief organisations.
Hastings State Emergency Service – box trailer and battery chargers for emergency vehicles.
Hastings Bowling Club – automated garden watering system, reducing manual labour and conserving water by utilising their rainwater tanks.
Inclusion Melbourne (Stonnington) – plain language guide for community sports organisations to include people with cognitive disabilities in mainstream sports.
Launch Housing (Dandenong) – edible and medicinal garden at Viv's Place, an apartment building for at-risk women.
Lighthouse Foundation (Frankston) - therapeutic and sustainable garden to engage vulnerable young people.
RSPCA Victoria (Pearcedale) – 5,000-litre rainwater tanks to manage stormwater at its Pearcedale animal shelter.
Sandy Beach Community Co-Operative Society – kitchen equipment to help cooking classes for people with disabilities.
Tooradin Dalmore Football Club – defibrillator for the football community, ensuring the safety of players, members, and the public.

For more information on South East Water’s 2023 community grant recipients, visit www.southeastwater.com.au/grants

Above:

Chelsea Community Support Services will use its community grant to provide 60 households with ‘Winter Warmer care packs’ to help those struggling to pay rising energy bills to stay warm and well during the winter months. Winter warmer care packages include an electric throw blanket, woollen socks, pull-over gown, soup and a hot water bottle.

L:R Nerida Casey and Avinish Walia from the South East Water Affordability and Payments team; Ada Young and Emerald Bourne from Chelsea Community Support Services; South East Water General Manager Customer Experience, Lara Salembier; Cassie Langerak from Chelsea Community Support Services.