Southern Ports community investment program open for applications, Lockyer Community Kindy happy recipients

Southern Ports is on the hunt for new community groups to back in its latest round of funding after providing an Albany community-run kindy with new play equipment.

With applications open until July 25, the community investment program offers grants up to $5000 to community and not-for-profit groups in the Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance and South West.

Students of Lockyer Community Kindy are the latest recipients of the funding and are keen to make use of a new outdoor playground funded by the program.

Kindy teacher Caryn McWhirter said the grant was a huge boost as the group relies on fundraising to purchase any equipment.

“Having the extra funding has been absolutely amazing,” she said.

“The equipment is enjoyed by up to 80 students and will be used for many years to come.

“The application process was pretty easy. Once we started, we found it straight forward and we were left wondering why we didn’t do it sooner.”

Southern Ports has offered funding to more than 120 groups in the past year, including Relay for Life in Bunbury, an Indigenous surfing program in Esperance, the construction of a new bike shelter at Spencer Park Primary School in Albany and Tangaroa Blue’s beach clean-ups.

Southern Ports acting chief executive Aditya Asthana said the program provided an avenue for community support in a “really direct manner”.

“Over the past five years we’ve invested close to $1.5 million into community groups across our South West, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions which has had an enormous impact,” Mr Asthana said.

“We’ve seen a host of new educational and research programs, new community infrastructure, as well as a range of events that have added vibrancy to our regions.

“With grants of up to $5000 available, we are always on the lookout for new initiatives that have a lasting positive impact on our regions.”

Applications can be made via southernports.com.au and searching the community investment program.