These local not-for-profit groups will receive a share of $15,000 that will go towards a range of community initiatives, including the purchase of much needed school supplies for disadvantaged children, and shade structures to ensure children in our community can be sun safe.
Cedar Woods Queensland State Manager, Michelle Wooldridge, says the Community Grants program, which has been running nationally for more than a decade, aims to give back to organisations and groups making a positive impact within our local communities and those all over the country.
“There are so many wonderful not-for-profit groups that go above and beyond to benefit the community local to Ellendale and play a vital role in creating and sustaining the vibrant neighbourhood we all enjoy,” she says.
“Our Ellendale community is today home to more than 900 residents, who access and benefit from the support of local not-for-profits – whether schools, sporting clubs or the many other community associations in our area.
“The grants are our way of showing how much we appreciate the tireless efforts of these generous groups and of supporting the valuable work they do in bringing communities together.”
This year’s program has granted funds for a raft of programs and activities throughout the Ellendale area and its surrounds, including:
Ferny Grove Falcons:
Local AFL club, Ferny Grove Falcons will put the funds from the Community Grant towards renovating their club canteen which closed last year. These renovations will enable the club to supply refreshments and snacks for its members, players, and visitors, helping the club grow their community engagement and encouraging more kids from Ellendale and the wider local area to get involved in AFL. Club president Janne Barns says the grant means young players can enjoy a better game day experience.
SAVE Projects:
SAVE Projects, a local charity group, will use their Community Grant to purchase school supplies throughout the coming year such as stationery and uniforms for children in need in the Ferny Grove, Upper Kedron, Ferny Hills and Arana Hills areas. SAVE will distribute the grant on an as-needed basis and make a real difference to local families.
Patricks Road State School:
Patricks Road State School located in Ferny Hills will use their share of the Community Grant funding to purchase a new marquee and shade structures. These will be used to enhance the sun safety available to its students when participating in sporting events whilst also enabling them to feel proud when representing their school at sporting events with new and safe equipment. HPE teacher David Rogers says its current equipment predates his arrival at the school 15 years ago. The grant will provide a big boost for the school when it competes at inter-school competitions furthering the students’ sporting participation.
Payne Road State School P&C Association:
The P&C Association at Payne Road State School will be upcycling and improving their much-loved junior garden with the funds supplied for their Community Grant. This garden is available to the school’s Year 1 and Prep students and supports the school’s thriving environmental program. The garden is very important to the school as it is used to teach students about sustainability and the importance of caring for the environment.
The Gap State School P&C Association:
The Gap State School has a flourishing music program, and its P&C Association will use the Community Grant to purchase sheet music and instruments for its classrooms to further enhance the program and give students the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. The Gap State School places priority on its music program as it sees music as integral to developing well-rounded students for the future.
St Andrew’s School Community Association:
The Community Association at St Andrew’s School Ferny Grove will use their Community Grant for the purchase and installation of much-needed shade structures in the early years’ playground area, so children can make full use of the outdoor space and equipment year-round while being protected from the sun. The early years playground is busy at lunch and morning tea so it’s important that the children have a safe and enjoyable environment.
From all the team at Ellendale, we would like to thank everyone who applied for the 2022 Ellendale Community Grants Program.
We know that a community is more than just the neighbourhood in which people live, it is the businesses and surrounding organisations such as those who have applied that contribute greatly to creating connection and thriving communities.
We encourage you to keep up to date with the Ellendale Community Grants program, and the opening of applications in 2023, see /ellendale/our-community/neighbourhood-grants/.