Local organisations unwrap early Christmas present thanks to 2022 Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program
Port of Newcastle has slipped an early Christmas present under the trees of 15 local organisations, announced as successful recipients of the Port’s annual Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program.
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Port of Newcastle has slipped an early Christmas present under the trees of 15 local organisations, announced as successful recipients of the Port’s annual Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program.
Acting CEO Simon Byrnes said $90,000 in funding has been shared among the worthy recipients for a range of social and environmental programs and initiatives, including mental health and domestic violence support, disability services, environmental projects and volunteering.
“The number of applications we received for the 2022 Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program tells us that demand remains high for the services that community groups, charities and other local organisations provide and that many continue to require financial support in order to deliver them,” Mr Byrnes said.
“This year, we both increased the overall funding pool and the amount organisations could apply for under the sponsorship program in order to reach a greater number of groups delivering life-changing outcomes for both our community and our environment.
“We hope this funding provides a little bit of festive cheer to these local organisations in the lead-up to Christmas and some certainty heading into 2023.”
Lifeline Hunter received funding to deliver 66 no cost and no GP referral counselling sessions for people in need of support.
“This funding assists in Lifeline Hunter’s counselling service being able to provide barrier free access to timely and effective counselling services for members of the local community,” Corporate and Community Partnerships Manager Patrick Calabria said.
“Whatever personal issue or struggle you are facing, Lifeline is there to listen and to offer hope.”
The Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program is in addition to the more than $1 million Port of Newcastle provides each year to the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund, which is administered by the NSW Government.
The 15 organisations to receive funding under the 2022 Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program are:
- Mission to Seafarers to support their 2023 Maritime Art Exhibition: Newcastle, sailing through past, present and future.
- HunterWiSE to support a networking event for STEM women in the Hunter.
- Star Struck to facilitate a visit by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and teachers to NAISDA, engage in workshops and learn firsthand about cultural dance.
- Blue Gum Hills Men’s Shed to assist in purchasing a Powered Lift Truck to safely lift and load small goods or bulky equipment.
- Macquarie Swim Club to assist with the purchase of uniforms and travel expenses for their national swim team representing the club in able bodied and disability competition.
- Lifeline Hunter to deliver 66 free counselling sessions to the local community.
- Friends with Dignity to furnish two sanctuary shelter homes for use by victims of domestic violence and their families.
- Hunter Volunteer Centre to support the volunteers expo in 2023.
- We Care Connect to purchase essential items such as clothing, cots and car seats through its Hunter Aboriginal Material Aid program.
- Hunter Wetlands Centre for the purchase and installation of 12 interpretive signs within its Bush Tucker Garden.
- Stockton Community Group to purchase a portable microphone and audio system for use at its meetings and presentations.
- Survivor’s R Us to support a program that teaches students at Alesco Senior College how to grow and harvest their own vegetables.
- Dressed 4 Success to provide 12 ‘Back on Your Feet’ workshops, which provide free professional clothing, coaching and career development tools for vulnerable women.
- Got Your Back Sista to assist in the purchase of furniture and household items for women fleeing domestic violence.
- Hunter Region Velodrome for the construction of a shelter and general maintenance of the grounds at Adamstown.
For further information on the 2022 Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program, visit portofnewcastle.com.au/sponsorship