Broadmeadows’ Banksia Gardens Community Services will be able to support more young people experiencing disadvantage to access education and training, thanks to a grant from Melbourne Airport.
The airport signed a five-year partnership with Banksia Gardens, providing more than $600,000 to support early childhood education and training.
Melbourne Airport also signed a five-year partnership with charity Western Chances, providing it with $875,000 to provide scholarships, employment opportunity programs and ongoing support to hundreds of young people in Melbourne’s west.
Operating in one of Australia’s most disadvantaged postcodes, Banksia Gardens is home to more than 30 groups and associations whose services support more than 80,000 people annually.
Banksia Gardens chief executive Gina Dougall said the partnership with Melbourne Airport will help support the essential work the organisation does in the community.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership with Melbourne Airport, which has been instrumental in enabling us to maintain and expand our vital programs, including the after-school study program, the scholarship program, and the Northern Centre for Excellence in School Engagement (including Project REAL),” she said.
“Their generous support ensures that we can continue providing life-changing opportunities for young people in our community, helping them thrive academically and achieve their full potential.”
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the airport is proud to support local charities that make a tangible difference to the lives of so many families.
“The work Western Chances and Banksia Gardens do for communities in the north and west of the city is invaluable, and we are proud to play a small role in supporting that,” she said.
“Melbourne Airport is the largest employer in the local area, and we recognise the importance of establishing pathways and providing education to give people the skills they need to kick start their careers.”
Melbourne Airport also announced the recipients of the 2024 Community Grants program, which provides $10,000 each to community centres and neighbourhood houses within 20 kilometres of the airport.
Ten neighbourhood houses received grants this year. Among the recipients was Lalor Neighbourhood House, which received funding for its youth public art project, Dallas Neighbourhood House which will use the funding for its active living and wellness program for multicultural communities, and Banksia Gardens Community Services for its Naughty Broady – young makers lab.
