On Tuesday night (24 October 2023), Council awarded nine community grants to deserving local projects and events, amounting to a total of $31,380 in funding.

The grant recipients were successful in this first round of the Community Development and Events Grants program, which runs twice a financial year by the City of Playford.

Mayor Glenn Docherty said the grants, which are up to $5000 each, are a way of Council helping non-profit clubs and organisations deliver new projects for the benefit of the local community.

“It’s always great to see an array of different nominations supporting a variety of different causes, as well as cultural and community events which gives our community the opportunity to come together,” Mayor Docherty said.

UN Youth Australia’s state branch was one of the successful applicants who secured funding to support their youth engagement school visits scheduled for Playford schools. The national youth-led organisation will provide half-day sessions to five schools in the City of Playford. A summit will be organised upon its conclusion, bringing together all students in a cohesive full-day educational and debate experience at the Stretton Centre.

The half-day school sessions primarily focus on interdisciplinary thinking – mixing concepts from various fields, just as combining neurology, psychology and statistics forms cognitive science – this style of thinking will cover topics like civic and governance, sustainability and the space industry.

VolleyNorth intends to use the funding to host a volleyball tournament in Playford, with Harmony Day as the central theme for the event. This tournament is scheduled to take place in both Angle Vale and Blakeview.

“We received some remarkable nominations for cultural events and activities that sought to reach out to and collaborate with other members and the whole community,” said the Mayor.

One of these was the Ghanaian Association of SA who will use their grant funding to deliver an inclusive community program at John McVeity Centre through drumming and dancing, language and cooking demonstrations for children up to 12-years-old.

Another successful application from the African Muslim Information Centre of SA will see the delivery of four Iftar events during Ramadan next year. The event breaks the fast upon the sun setting and will feature a festival called The Feast of Fast-Breaking at the end of Ramadan, with a community-wide prayer followed by a shared BBQ.

“These two events serve as a brilliant showcase of Playford's diverse multiculturalism, which we support in celebrating and educating our community through the grants program,” said the Mayor.

All successful recipients are listed below.

Round 2 of the Community Development and Events Grants will open on Monday 15 January 2024.

If your group, club or community organisation has an idea for a project or event, be sure to keep in mind to submit an application early next year when the program reopens for round 2.

Council’s Grants & Administration Officer, Karen Leithboro is also available to speak to you about your submission and provide support. Please contact Karen phone on 8256 0230 or email grants@playford.sa.gov.au

To stay in the loop on funding and grant program opportunities, subscribe to Playford’s Grants and Funding mailing list via Council’s website – playford.sa.gov.au/grants

African Muslim Information Centre of SA - $3600
This group has planned for Iftas events to be held at Fremont Park during March and April 2024 during Ramadan, inviting both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Angle Vale Scout Group - $3328
Funding is going towards kayaking equipment for a camp for 11 to 17-year-olds to deliver outcomes in fitness, teamwork, problem solving and self-confidence.

Anti-Poverty Network SA - $2656
Funding will go towards a one-day conference called ‘Nobody Deserves Poverty’ in November to focus on poverty and the housing crisis. The Network aims to assist people by negotiating with service providers, accompanying them to appointments and providing financial and practical assistance.

Central Districts Rugby League (Roosters) - $4000
The club will use its funding to host a series of coaching clinics and community fun days over the summer. Coaching clinics will provide an opportunity to learn and enhance rugby skills under the guidance of expert coaches.

Ghanaian Association of SA - $4000
To deliver an inclusive community program at John McVeity Centre through drumming and dancing, language and cooking demonstrations for children up to 12-years-old over 12 months.

Hands of Hope Foundation Inc - $4000
Funding will help with their Standing Strong Program, a new 8-week initiative being held at John Hartley School from this November. The program is design to empower women who have experienced trauma, particularly linked to family and domestic violence.

Playford Tennis Club - $1797
Holding their annual club champions in early 2024, the funding will assist with the costs involved with the two-day tournament open to members and non-members and their families.

UN Youth SA - $4000
The national youth-led organisation will conduct half-day sessions at five schools within the City of Playford. Upon the completion of these sessions, they will organise a summit that will unite all students for a comprehensive full-day educational and debate experience at the Stretton Centre.

VolleyNorth - $4000
Funding will be used to assist with costs involved in a volleyball tournament for the north as a harmony weekend volleyball tournament (linked to Harmony Day) in March. Games will be played in Angle Vale and Blakeview.