Media releases
Westpac Group funds $92,145 in grants to 12 local community projects supporting the recovery of Blue Mountains
10 December 2014
The Westpac Group announced today that it will give $92,145 in grants to help fund 12 local community projects from Westpac Group’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund, providing much needed support and financial assistance to the Blue Mountains region.
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 at the end of last year following the devastating fires that swept through the Blue Mountains region.
David Garner, Westpac Bank Manager Springwood 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 Blue Mountains.
“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 Blue Mountains community,” said Mr Garner.
“Disaster preparedness workshops, creation of a community garden on the St Thomas Aquinas site, and initiatives such as the Blue Mountains Food Forum that support the economic recovery of the Blue Mountains 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:
- Blue Mountains Cultural Centre - Blue Mountains City Council: Bushfire Community Art Storage Initiative
- Catholic Care Social Service: Paulwood Community Garden
- Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre: Strengthening & Connecting the Community towards Resilience
- Mount Victoria Public School P&C Association: Christmas Fair
- Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre: Supported Bushfire Survival Planning Project
- Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise: Blue Mountains Food Forum & Blue Mountains Creative Industries Symposium
- Blue Mountains Renewable Energy Co-operative (BMRenew): Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre Solar PV installation
- Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations Inc.: Greater Blue Mountains Heritage Trail project
- Mountains Community Resource Network Inc.: Preparedness Up-Skilling for Volunteers
- Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Cooperative Ltd: Science at the Local
- The Holy Monastery of St George: Replacing Workshop Equipment for Volunteers
Notes to Editor
The Grant Recipients and projects for 2014 include:
| Organisation Name | Project Title | Brief Project Description & Overview | Grant Amount |
| Blue Mountains Cultural Centre – Blue Mountains City Council | Bushfire Community Art Storage Initiative | Project will provide a safe, secure and climate controlled storage facility for art works & heirlooms owned by residents of the Blue Mountains forced to evacuate during a bushfire threat. 'Bushfire Community Art Storage Initiative' will provide a large, safe, easily accessible and managed storage facility located in the centre of Katoomba where artwork & heirlooms can be brought at short notice, free of charge to residents. Knowing precious objects are safe during times of crisis is a significant way in which the stress of bushfire evacuation can be reduced. | $5,000 |
| Catholic Care Social Services | Paulwood Community Garden | Project is to create a community garden on the St Thomas Aquinas site, Winmalee. The garden will provide a physical place to foster long term connections between fire-affected residents, school students and parishioners. Locals will be able to grow and eat their crops and be for all members of the community to enjoy. The grant money will go directly towards funding the infrastructure required to create the garden. | $9,249 |
| Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre | Strengthening & Connecting the Community towards Resilience | The grant money will allow the Winmalee Neighbourhood centre to purchase seating & tables for the community to attend workshops on preparedness & hold the essential workshops/events to increase resilience of the community. | $10,000 |
| Mount Victoria Public School P&C Association | Christmas Fair | The grant money will provide the Mount Victoria public school P&C Association with much needed funds to continue with their plans to hold their annual fundraising & community event which had to be cancelled last year following the bushfires. | $2,000 |
| Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre | Supported Bushfire Survival Planning Project | This project responds to the additional risks that people with disabilities and mental health issues face in the event of a disaster. The funds will be used to develop a brochure with fridge magnet including key contacts and safety information relevant to people with disabilities in the event of a bushfire or emergency situation. The funds will also be used to formulate individual bushfire emergency plans for 25-30 individuals who have support requirements. | $10,000 |