Environmental projects, school programs and First Nations initiatives are among the first GrainCorp Community Foundation (GCF) grant recipients in 2023.
More than $230,000 in funding will be awarded to 26 community groups and clubs in Australia and New Zealand, as part of the company’s bi-annual grants funding rounds.
GrainCorp Community Engagement Manager Kyle Docherty says the company is supporting a diverse range of groups that are striving to improve their programs.
“The projects we selected are set on achieving positive community participation, through the provision of local infrastructure, environment and sustainability initiatives and more,” he says.
“Whether it be improving the safety of community facilities or increasing knowledge of Indigenous cultures across the areas GrainCorp operates in, we’re proud to support these initiatives and help our local communities thrive.”
Connecting to Country
The Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, based in Wollongong, NSW, is an Aboriginal organisation dedicated to helping young Aboriginal people connect with their traditional culture and heritage.
Among their initiatives is the volunteer-run Coomaditchie Community Garden, which brings together Coomaditchie Elders and community members to grow food and share skills in local food production.
The initiative has received funding for soil, plants, gardening equipment and other materials that will scale up the production of vegetables and bushtucker, and that will help transform it into a community gathering space.
Project Officer Donna Castagna says the new space will provide a unique opportunity for reconciliation with local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members.
“The project will allow us to deliver an educational garden, where we can work together to plant, cultivate, harvest and share the food we produce.
“It will also provide a meeting place for sharing our cultural knowledge of gardening and food preservation, to increase biodiversity.”
Donna Castagna, Coomaditchie Community Garden
“The grant will be put towards building infrastructure for additional growing, food processing and a community gathering space, where Coomaditchie Elders and community members can regularly come together to share this knowledge in native food production.
“On behalf of the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, I’d like to thank GrainCorp for their Community Grant that will help bring this new space to life, which will no doubt make a huge difference to the wellbeing of our local community.”
Making a difference in Minyip
The Minyip & Murtoa Football Netball Club, based in Victoria’s Wimmera region, received funding for the redevelopment of their netball court facilities in Minyip.
President Scott Arnold says the courts were in desperate need of improvement for a club that plays an important role in the small town.
“Sport is the glue that brings our community together and we’re excited about the benefits the court upgrades will have for our club.
“Like so many small rural towns, we’ve been hit hard by drought and the pandemic, and this grant will help get the courts back to their full playing capacity and enable us to host community sporting events.”
Scott Arnold, Minyip & Murtoa Football Netball Club
“We are grateful for the support GrainCorp provides to our club and our local community and looking forward to improving the facilities for our players, hosting more events and drawing bigger crowds.”
GrainCorp Community Grants recipients (February 2023)
| Organisation | Project/Program | Location |
| Oke Charity | Oke Charity’s Building School Gardens Projects | East Tamaki, NZ |
| Miles District Rugby League Club | Disabled Access Centenary Oval | Miles, QLD |
| Little Country Kids Club Inc | Outdoor play area repaired and upgraded | Cecil Plains, QLD |
| Kaloma Home for the Aged | Kaloma Music & Memories Program | Kaloma, QLD |
| Burren Junction Country Women’s Association | Facility upgrades | Burren Junction, NSW |
| Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation | Community Garden Project | Warrawong, NSW |
| Henty Football Netball Club | Facility upgrades | Henty, NSW |
| Cootamundra Rodeo and Equine Sporting Centre | Facility upgrades | Cootamundra, NSW |
| Ganmain Grong Grong Matong Junior Football & Netball Club | Netball facility improvements | Ganmain, NSW |
| Moree Rugby Union Club | Facility upgrades | Moree, NSW |
| Walbundrie Building Committee | Walbundrie Recreation Ground Lighting Upgrade | Walbundrie, NSW |
| Ariah Park Preschool Association | Shade Sail Installation | Ariah Park, NSW |
| Spring Ridge Public School | Facility improvements | Spring Ridge, NSW |
| Cancer Patients Foundation | Look Good Feel Better Program | Wagga Wagga, NSW |
| Griffith Meals on Wheels Inc | Hampers of Hope Griffith | Griffith, NSW |
| Bellata Golf Club | Kitchen/facility upgrade | Bellata, NSW |
| Parkes Early Childhood Centre | Community Connections Program | Parkes, NSW |
| Share the Dignity | Installation of a Dignity Vending Machine | Newcastle, NSW |
| Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service | Walan-Budhang-Gibir Men’s Wellbeing Group | Griffith, NSW |
| Werris Creek Community Garden | Werris Creek Community Garden Establishment | Werris Creek, NSW |
| Minyip Murtoa Football Netball Club | Minyip Netball Courts Refurbishment | Minyip, VIC |
| Woomelang and District Bush Nursing Centre | Facility upgrades | Woomelang, VIC |
| Beulah Memorial Park Trustees Recreation Reserve | Kitchen/facility upgrades | Beulah, VIC |
| Nyah District Cricket Club | Facility improvements | Nyah, VIC |
| Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council Inc (SMECC) | Swan Hill CALD Swimming Program | Swan Hill, VIC |
| Mysia Rec Reserve Committee | Mysia Store Historic Signage | Mysia, VIC |
Want to learn more?
The GrainCorp Community Foundation Grants program provides financial support to organisations and projects that support positive economic, social and cultural growth, with two funding rounds held in February and July.
More than 60 local groups and initiatives have been awarded grants over the past 12 months, including sports clubs, schools, Indigenous awareness, social welfare and environmental programs.
