At Lyndarum North, we believe local groups and organisations play a crucial role in connecting and enhancing our community. With this in mind, we established our Community Grants Program to support the significant work these groups undertake within Wollert and the wider Whittlesea community.

We are excited to announce the successful recipients of the 2023 program and the incredible projects this funding will contribute towards.

Lalor Landcare
Lalor Landcare was formed in 2021 and aims to directly restore the local natural environment and raise awareness for the importance of this activity. The group is actively involved in the environmental rehabilitation of Edgars Creek from Thomastown to Wollert through community and corporate planting days, litter collection, weeding activities, watering and more.

Lalor Landcare will use the grant funds to purchase materials to construct nest boxes that will be placed out on Darebin Creek where wildlife can thrive, supplementary t their existing program within local schools. The grant funds will also be used to build demonstration garden plots that are open to public view to educate the community on how plants such as the Yam Daisy might feature in modern Australian diets.

Stay up to date with Lalor Landcare’s activities on their Facebook page.

Sikh Community Connections
Sikh Community Connections is a community-based organisation that helps create healthy, violence-free, more equitable communities, by bridging gaps in access to public resources and social services. The group also provides education and direct support to community members, using an empowerment approach that attends to cultural tradition, immigration experiences and language access. Sikh Community Connections works with the local community across various projects, including food relief, sports inclusion for women and the teaching of digital skills.

The community organisation will use the grant funds to establish a fortnightly Punjabi and Hindi speaking Men Peer Support Group, which will enhance feelings of connectedness amongst this cohort to tackle emerging mental health and wellbeing challenges. The grant will be used for venue hire, printing resources, Zoom, volunteer support, tea and snacks during workshops and arranging facilitators.

To learn more about Sikh Community Connections, visit their website.

Mavericks Cricket Club
Mavericks Cricket Club (MCC) was formed in 2018 and currently have two senior teams, encompassing over 50 players. The club actively engages in training and bringing people together to play cricket, share in their love of the sport and socialise with like-minded members of the community.

MCC will use the grant funds to provide discounted jerseys and deliver indoor training facilities and training equipment for its players.

You can connect with Mavericks Cricket Club through their Facebook page.

Galada Indian Senior Group
Galada Indian Senior Group was created to enhance social connection and wellbeing for its members. The group provides seniors the opportunity to connect, talk, reduce loneliness, meet new people, enjoy entertainment, and demonstrate the strength of their culture.

Galada Indian Senior Group will use their grant funds to enhance the services they provide to their members, including hosting local music classes, DJ's, hall hire, catering, yoga, social gatherings and cultural events.

Epping North Scouts
Epping North Scout Group is one of Victoria's newest Scout groups, operating since February 2016, with 36 youth members and 5 leaders, and it’s one of the most multicultural in Victoria. Many youth members are first generation Australians, with families hailing from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Ireland, Iran, Canada, Vietnam, Somalia and New Zealand just to name a few.

Scouting makes a direct positive and lasting impact on the community by teaching positive values and leadership skills to youth. Every year, Scout Groups, like Epping North, contribute thousands of volunteer hours to local communities.

Epping North Scout Group will use the grant funds to purchase a dishwasher for their new Scout Hall, to make cleaning up after weekly programs and group social events easier.

For more information about Epping North Scouts, click here.

Wollert Fire Brigade
Wollert Fire Brigade is a dedicated and skilled 100% volunteer CFA fire brigade that has serviced Wollert and neighbouring communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 1942. Currently, they attend over 200 emergency calls per year.

As well as emergency response, the team is involved in education and engagement activities within the community to help reduce the risk of fire and other emergencies and build a sense of community.

In recent times, Wollert Fire Brigade has experienced a number of unplanned power outages which has impacted their ability to respond to emergencies. The brigade will use the grant funds to install a backup power system, which will allow the fire station to remain fully operational during short and extended power outages. This will provide volunteer firefighters with a safe working environment, ensuring they can effectively respond to emergencies and keep the community protected.

To learn more about Wollert Fire Brigade, visit theirwebsite.

We warmly congratulate our successful recipients and thank all the community groups that applied.