Merrifield granting opportunities

Back row: Members from Indo Australian Welfare Club (Yoga Classes) Front row (left to right): Sidra Fahim (Music Playgroup, Community Playgroup and Women's Social Club), Georgina Dymock (The Bush Bus) and Andrea Tauai-Richmond (Merrifield Social Grass Volleyball). (Damjan Janevski) 383974_01

Gerald Lynch

Eight grants have been awarded to community partners across Merrifield.

The Merrifield Community Partnerships Program offers grants ranging from $500 and up to $10,000 across four categories, culture, health, connected and smart.

Sidra Fahim, the successful recipient for three grants, for a music playgroup, community playgroup and a women’s social club, is thrilled that her programs were successful in receiving funding through the program.

“I’m passionate about giving something back to the Merrifield community and I am so excited to be delivering three programs through the Merrifield Community Partnerships Program that will build even stronger connections and new friendships,” she said.

The music playgroup seeks to create a vibrant and inclusive space where kids of ages between zero and five can discover, explore, and express themselves through music, while the community playgroup is a vibrant and inclusive project aimed at fostering early childhood development within our local community together.

The social club is designed to foster connection, empowerment, and a sense of community among the diverse and dynamic women of Merrifield.

The club will organise regular networking events that provide women in Merrifield with opportunities to connect, share stories, and build relationships

The Bush Bus’ Georgina Dymock said she was excited that program was successful again in receiving funding through the program, which will deliver more mobile nature-based playgroup sessions for the Merrifield community.

“After running a very successful program in 2021, we are so happy to be back again to make a difference and facilitate fun in an outdoor learning environment for the parents and children in Merrifield” she said.

The bus is a free mobile nature playgroup that welcomes everyone with children aged from zero to six years old to play freely in a bush or park setting. Children and their families or carers will participate in activities such as nature inspired arts and crafts, water, mud and puddle play, sensory imaginative play and educational nature walks and talks to uncover the indigenous flora and fauna of their local area.

Other grant recipients include The Community Yoga Group Project, Merrifield Social Grass Volleyball, Merrifield Eco Kids – Green Earth Kids, and the Merrifield Chess Club.