Media releases
Westpac Group funds $38,745 in grants to 5 local community projects supporting the recovery of the Perth Hills district
10 December 2014
The Westpac Group announced today that it will give $38,745 in grants to help fund five local community projects from Westpac Group’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund, providing much needed support and financial assistance to Perth Hills communities.
The 2014 Grant Program is part of Westpac Group’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund, announced by Brian Hartzer, chief executive of Westpac’s Australian Financial Services division following the devastating fires that swept through Perth Hills in January 2014.
Mandy Curtis, Westpac Regional Manager Western Australia, said the recipients of the program will use their funding to launch or expand their innovative programs designed to facilitate the social, economic and community recovery of disaster affected areas in the Perth Hills.
“Recovery from a natural disaster takes a long time and we are proud to be able to fund these projects which we know are important amongst the Perth Hills community,” said Ms Curtis.
“Assisting with the recovery for native animals, developing local infrastructure and purchasing equipment to facilitate ongoing working bees for fire affected residents are just a few examples of projects that are addressing the recovery and rebuild to improve community wellbeing especially in the lead up to Christmas”.
The Grant Recipients and projects for 2014 include:
- Shire of Mundaring: 'Together towards Recovery' - Restoring nature and rebuilding hope for the Mundaring community
- Chidlow Progress Association: Restoration of Community Hall
- Rotary Club of Mundaring (Inc.): Parkerville-Stoneville Recovery Pergolas project
- Parkerville Baptist Church Fire Care: Parkerville Baptist Church Fire Care projects Mundaring Community Men's Shed: Recreation and Amenities Facility Fit-out.
Notes to Editor
The Grant Recipients and projects for 2014 include:
| Organisation Name | Project Title | Brief Project Description & Overview | Grant Amount |
| Shire of Mundaring | 'Together towards Recovery' - Restoring nature and rebuilding hope for the Mundaring community | This project aims to connect the local community, and further assist residents, in the recovery for native animals. The project will provide education to fire affected people on the diversity of fauna that lived in the surrounding area prior to the fire, as well as giving them hands-on practical knowledge to assist with recovery on their own properties. The Community Nesting Box Workshops will identify what species lived around them and provide residents and community members with the knowledge to encourage fauna to return to their area. | $10,000 |
| Chidlow Progress Association | Restoration of Community Hall | Funds will assist with the restoration of the Community Hall. This project intends to improve the facility for the comfort and use of the community for public events, community meetings and an emergency muster point in the event of natural disasters. | $10,000 |
| Rotary Club of Mundaring (Inc.) | Parkerville-Stoneville Recovery Pergolas Project | The grant will help build two shelters (gazebos) with seating, along a section of the walking trail/bridle path between Parkerville and Stoneville in the Shire of Mundaring to commemorate the bushfires of 12 January 2014 and the fifty four homes destroyed. The shelters, with appropriate information signage, would serve as an effective reminder of the fires and help reduce complacency within the local and wider community in coming years when damage has been repaired and the bush has regenerated. | $5,000 |
| Parkerville Baptist Church Fire Care | Parkerville Baptist Church Fire Care | Funds will help purchase equipment to facilitate on-going working bees for fire affected residents. It will also be used to fund a FAMILY CAMP for volunteer firefighter brigades to thank them for their efforts during the bushfires, including sleeping facilities and meals for a weekend. | $7,545 |
| Mundaring Community Men's Shed | Recreation and Amenities Facility Fitout | The funds will help build the MCMS - a space for men to gather and socialise, build trust, support and help each other. This will cater specifically to those men who are not skilled to use the existing metalwork and woodwork facilities. | $6,200 |