By Charlene Macaulay
Sporting groups, charity fundraisers and other local organisations have shared in $18,500 funding through the inaugural Westbrook Community Fund.
A total 19 not-for-profit community groups in Truganina, Tarneit and some surrounding areas received grants of either $500 or $1000 to support their causes.
Among the recipients were Truganina AusKick, which will use its $1000 grant to buy new equipment for its rapidly growing membership; the Love Thy Neighbour project, which makes and distributes clothes for people in need and; Truganina Fire Brigade, which received a $1000 grant to buy tablets for its fire trucks that will allow for GPS mapping.
Truganina Fire Brigade captain Mark Hatton said he was thrilled with the grant.
“One of the biggest challenges we face at Truganina Fire Brigade are constantly evolving new roads and infrastructure,” Mr Hatton said.
“This money means we can now access the most up-to-date maps to determine the quickest routes to fire calls.”
The Westbrook Community Fund is one of many community funds established by the Dennis Family Corporation across a number of its residential estates. Collectively, the funds have given away more than $600,000 in grants since introduced in 2002.
Dennis Family group managing director Grant Dennis said his family had always considered it important to support the areas where its business operates.
“The annual community fund concept was introduced within our family business as a practical way of giving back to the communities we create,” he said.
*Disclaimer: the author was a judge for the Westbrook Community Fund.
