ASX-listed developer Cedar Woods has recently announced the Victorian recipients of its national Community Grants program, an initiative led by the developer to support the communities in which it actively develops.
Now in its 15th year, the Cedar Woods Community Grants program was established in 2009 to provide much-needed funding to local groups, organisations and small businesses within these communities.
In Victoria this year, eight recipients have been selected to share in the funding, with these grants going towards organisations that further the development and success of the City of Whittlesea, home to Mason Quarter, and the City of Wyndham, home to Williams Landing.
One of this year’s recipients is the Wollert Fire Brigade in Melbourne’s north, a 100 per cent volunteer run CFA fire brigade that has serviced Wollert and the neighbouring communities continuously since 1942.
The Fire Brigade currently attend approximately 200 emergency calls per year, but as the population continues to grow this number is expected to increase significantly. The Fire Brigade’s Treasurer, Stuart McCombe, says that the funding made available by the Community Grants program will enable them to continue servicing the rapidly growing community.
“This grant will help us fund our upcoming fire station infrastructure improvements, including the installation of fire hose drying tower and connection of our large rainwater storage tanks to a pump. This connection will allow us to fill our fire trucks onsite instead of travelling into developed areas to access mains water hydrants.
“We will also use this grant to further promote fire safety and volunteerism with the CFA in Wollert and the surrounding areas, working together to create a prepared community that is ready to face any challenges that arise.”
In Melbourne’s west, the Wyndham Little Buddies Toy Library will use their grant to purchase a range of high-quality toys to support their growing membership base.
“With over 700 members and counting, we are proud to be one of the largest toy libraries in Australia, and this grant will go a long way in purchasing some new toys for our members and helping us to keep our services as affordable and accessible as possible,” says the Toy Library’s Secretary, Brenda Green.
Cedar Woods’ Victorian Development Director James Bovell says that the Community Grants program is central to Cedar Woods’ mission of creating vibrant communities, supporting the diverse set of community groups that are integral to the ongoing success of Cedar Woods’ developments.
"At Cedar Woods, we believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate, and it is a privilege to support them through our Community Grants Program. By supporting the local organisations that so often form the backbone of these communities, we work to enhance the social and cultural wellbeing of our developments.
“It is an honour and a joy to support the valuable work of these organisations through the Community Grants program and play a small part in their positive influence on their community,” says Mr Bovell.
Since the program’s launch in 2009, more than $500,000 has been donated nationally to community groups and not-for-profits nationwide, aiding local communities to fund programs and initiatives and make critical purchases that they would not otherwise have been able to afford.
The full list of Victorian recipients is below:
Mason Quarter, Wollert (City of Whittlesea)
Wollert Primary School
Wollert Secondary College
Wollert Fire Brigade
Williams Landing (City of Wyndham)
Australian Multicultural Women Association
Truganina South Primary School
WRFL Umpires Association Inc.
Wyndham Little Buddies Toy Library
Victorian Bangladeshi Sports Club