ASX-listed developer Cedar Woods has recently announced the Victorian recipients of its national Community Grants program, a decade-plus long initiative spearheaded by the developer to support growing and newly established communities in which it actively develops.
Established in 2009, the Community Grants program helps to support local groups, organisations and small businesses by providing much needed financial assistance to help them prosper and succeed.
In Victoria this year, $30,000 has been made available through the Community Grants program for key growth areas where two of Cedar Woods’ developments are situated. Collectively, nine lucky recipients from the City of Wyndham, home to Williams Landing, and the City of Whittlesea, home to Mason Quarter, have been selected to share in the funding, with proceeds furthering the fast-growing communities for future success.
Local school, Truganina South Primary, was selected as one of the Victorian recipients of Cedar Woods’ funding – a school that has, over the last decade, grown to house more than 680 students who represent over 60 cultures and 80 languages.
Last year, Truganina South Primary was halted in its plans to create an outdoor learning space for students, with funding provided by the Department of Education falling short.
According to school Principal, Linda Danese, funding made available by Cedar Woods will go a long way in seeing their plans to create an outdoor learning environment for students after two years of lockdowns and remote learning, become a reality.
“Because of the generosity of Cedar Woods, we will be able to fully complete works on our outdoor space and install tables and create areas where students can work and learn outdoors,” says Ms Danese.
“This outdoor space will give our students more learning spaces and bring our families together in a place where they can meet, greet and mingle.”
Supporting initiatives both big and small, Cedar Woods’ Community Grants program has further enabled a junior sporting team in Epping, the Epping Storm Basketball Club, to help subsidise the cost of new reversible singlet tops for families.
“This might seem like a small purchase, but this is going to be a massive help for Epping Storm as we are currently doing a lot of running around on game days to supply players with the different coloured singlet tops required for different games,” says Kerry Ruston, President of Epping Storm Basketball Club.
“By giving our players reversible singlet tops we can make sure that they have everything they need on game day. This will relieve a lot of the stress on our players and volunteers who can now just focus on enjoying the game. It will also help reduce financial pressures placed on families.”
Now in its 14th year, Cedar Woods’ Chief Operating Officer Patrick Archer said the Community Grants program has been integral in seeing thriving and vibrant communities come to life, a vision that Cedar Woods holds for its community developments across Australia.
“We recognise that local groups are the heart and soul of a community, and it is an honour to support them through the Community Grants program,” says Mr. Archer.
“Local organisations work tirelessly day in and day out to achieve incredible outcomes for communities. With our developments positioned in key growth areas, we look forward to seeing these communities continue to grow, thrive, and prosper. It is our hope that through our Community Grants program, we can play a small part in making that a reality.”
Since the program’s launch, more than $500,000 has been donated 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.