From April there will be a host of exciting events for the local community to participate in, thanks to the Cultural and Community Grants program, which awarded cash and in-kind contributions to a range of groups during the March 28 Council meeting.

This recent funding round adds another $55,000 to the $2 million total that Randwick City Council has awarded over the past eight years to groups whose activities promote inclusion and bring a sense of vitality to the city.

The 13 grants support a range of activities that offer benefits to the elderly, Indigenous community, young swimmers and surfers, as well as storytellers and artists.

“One of our key goals at Randwick City Council is to create a dynamic, cohesive and healthy community,” says Randwick City Mayor Noel D’Souza. “We recognise that people’s quality of life and sense of place are important issues, so we use the Cultural and Community Grants program as a way to support not-for-profit groups whose events address these needs in a cross section of our diverse community.”

The Cultural and Community Grants program has an annual budget of $110,000, which is awarded twice a year, in March and September. The awards include both cash and in-kind contribution requests.

This year, cash and in-kind grants were approved for:

• Cape Banks Family History Society for guest speakers to present at their 2017 Education Program.
• Creative Writers of Randwick Community Group for printing books containing short stories written by group members.
• Ethnic Community Services Cooperative to use Goldstein Reserve for an outdoor event for the multicultural community of Randwick City, which will include a kindifarm, pony rides, and puppet shows.
• Blak Markets Cultural and Arts Activities for cultural performances, activities, and workshops at four Blak Market events to be held on Bare Island.
• Holdsworth Community Centre to use Prince Henry Centre to hold a seniors dance and luncheon for seniors who are experiencing social isolation or mental health issues.
• La Perouse United Rugby League Football Club to host a day of celebration for NAIDOC Week with cultural activities, games and BBQ.
• Maroubra Bodyboarders, Maroubra Surfers Association and North Maroubra Surf Riders, all to use Maroubra Beach for their respective competitions.
• Old Friends Singers Group to use the Maroubra Senior Citizens Centre to hold their seniors activities.
• Randwick Art Society to hold an art exhibition at Prince Henry Centre for members of the public.
• South Maroubra Surf Life Savings Club to use lanes at DRLC for their annual swimming proficiency tests for their nippers.
• The Junction Neighbourhood Centre to hold a community event in Alison Park to support harmony between cultures by bringing people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.