16/9/04
Providing new opportunities for people aged 55 and older to share their talents, knowledge and skills by helping to plan and participate in community projects, Minister for Seniors Sheila McHale today announced the successful recipients of grants under the State Government's 'Generations Together - Community Engagement Small Grants Program'.
Twenty-five grants totalling almost $80,000 have been awarded to various Western Australian not-for-profit associations and local government authorities to fund projects that will encourage the participation and involvement of seniors in the community. Funded projects include:
- a train the trainer course for seniors on how to work as a facilitator or tutor to run a course or program for seniors;
- staging of a short film course and ongoing support to encourage seniors to present life experiences, ideas, concerns etc as films for the Mandurah Short Film Festival; and
- establishment of a Home Maintenance course for senior women, aged over 55 who do not have a partner/family member to perform basic home maintenance for them. Learning new skills to help them remain independent.
"These grants will also give seniors the chance to take part in events and activities in their local communities and to enjoy the resulting social benefits," Ms McHale said.
"The Gallop Government's Generations Together strategy acknowledges the huge contribution that seniors make to society, and with that recognition, to encourage seniors to remain active participants."
Ten of the 25 approved projects are based in regional WA. Priority was given to projects that involve older people in the organisation and management of these community activities.
"There was great interest in the grants program, and I'm sure that seniors will appreciate being so closely involved in projects that benefit them as well as the wider community."
Grant recipients include:
Metropolitan Projects (15) - City of Cockburn, Public Library & Information Services - Funding Request $2,100
To provide housebound readers and their carers with an inaugural lunch and light entertainment for the purpose of making lasting links with other senior oriented community groups such as Prime Timers and Cockburn Community Care. To encourage social interaction and reduce social isolation. - Coolbellup Community Association Inc. - Funding Request $5,000
The project aims to create a senior adult and aged community theatre group in the City of Cockburn. Fostering creative expression the project aims to broaden the understanding, appreciation and celebration of seniors' interests & issues. - WA Deaf Society - Funding Request $5,000
A recreational project to enable deaf seniors to meet on a regular basis, providing opportunities for communication in a social environment and help prevent feelings of isolation and depression. - Falcon Keep Fit & Aquatic Centre - Funding Request $1,000
Members of the Falcon Keep Fit & Aquatic Centre meet weekly to make items for the local Nursing Home, including caps, footwear, ponchos and knitted rugs. Funds will be used for consumable items for the project to continue assisting those in need. - Film and Television Institute of WA Inc., Fremantle - Funding Request $4,885
Extend and target the seniors community in its relevance and accessibility of the Film and Television Institute's activities. The project will establish contact through past members of the FTI alumni, seniors organisations and local councils, involving them in the selection and screening of what older persons want to see, showing them what the institute does, providing a forum for discussions and seminars. - Frank Konecny Community Centre Inc., Kwinana - Funding Request $643.50
A train the trainer course which offers encouragement and ideas to seniors on how to work as a facilitator or tutor to run a course or program for seniors. The training is aimed at over 55's who have skills and experience in an area of interest to others, but require the initial assistance to eventually run a course within the centre. - Frank Konecny Community Centre Inc. (Stage 2) Kwinana - Funding Request $1,996
Following the train the trainer course, the centre will run a series of workshops, using senior tutors, targeting seniors to enable them to trial different activities with a view to encouraging them to participate on an ongoing basis. - Girrawheen Senior High School - P & C Assoc. Inc. - Funding Request $5,000
With the aim to learn and share, seniors to teach the art of knitting and sewing to students. Also students would teach seniors how to use computers. The program also includes development of an environmentally friendly, water wise garden project around the Miya Kaddadjini Community Centre. The co-ordinator of the program is a 76-year-old volunteer. - Mandurah Short Film Association Inc. - Funding Request $1,650
Staging of a short film course and ongoing support to encourage seniors to present life experiences, ideas, concerns etc as films for the Mandurah Short Film Festival. - Hills Community Support Group Inc., Mundaring - Funding Request $3,065
An eight day walk from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin with a group of seniors and high school students. The project aims to meet personal challenges of participants, develop contact and understanding between different generations. The project also aims to establish avenues and skills in communication between the generations and connection within the community. - The Older Women's Network (Theatre Group) Thornlie - Funding Request $2,000
To introduce older people to the idea of expressing themselves and experiences through theatre workshops, preventing isolation and encouraging involvement in the community. - Peel Community Development Group, Mandurah - Funding Request $5,000
Retirees who currently share skills and companionship are keen to use their knowledge and pass on skills to both youths and the local community for D.I.Y. home projects. The project will enable the purchase of tools, timber and hardware for the establishment and equipping of a community workshop. - City of Rockingham - Funding Request $4,150
To present four 'Gone Fishing' programs to provide young people and seniors with a positive, low cost leisure activity promoting relaxation, self-sufficiency, effective use of local resources and encouraging intergenerational relationship building and the enhancement of social capital. - Volunteer Task Force, North Perth - Funding Request $4,600
To develop and run a home maintenance course for senior women, over 55 who do not have a partner/family member who can do basic home maintenance for them. Learning new skills to help remain independent. - Warnbro Players - Funding Request $3,000
To form a local seniors theatre group to encourage seniors to take an active part in amateur theatre through play readings, outings to attend and review plays and performing for local community groups.
Country Projects (10) - Albany Over 50's Recreation Association - Funding Request $1,950
A series of skills workshops to be held from November - December in Albany combining Year 5 students and older adults in learning about ocean awareness and the skills of bodyboarding. - Brookton HACC / Brookton Aged Care Hostel Committee - Funding Request $3,055
Brookton HACC clients interacting with local children to develop a 'This is my Life' type scrapbook. Utilising life experiences in storytelling, painting/drawing/craft, learning to use technology, singing and drama. - Tai Chi and Card Group (Delmoore Senior Centre) - Funding request $1,050
Equipment and instructional video tapes, to extend the knowledge and exercises of Tai Chi, as instructors in the art of Tai Chi are not available in the Moora area. - Dongara Art Group - Funding request $4,950
A field trip to the wildflowers at Coalseam National Park. An opportunity for artists from three generations to work side by side in creating artworks, culminating in an exhibition. Project involves members from the Dongara Art Group, seniors from the Autumn Centre, students from the Dongara District High School and interested local artists. - Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation - Funding Request $5,000
A project to promote cultural sharing and intergenerational mixing. Will include days to share art, stories, recipes, culture and tradition with an end result of a documented booklet put together by the elders and young people together. - Shire of Kulin - Funding Request $1,000
Develop and support an exercise program for the over 55's age groups. No opportunities of this nature are offered to seniors in the area at this time. - Kununurra Neighbourhood House - Funding Request $ 500
As a celebration of Seniors / Childrens Weeks, a day will be held between October 24 - October 31, consisting of an intergenerational playgroup. This will bring together children who come to the playgroup and seniors in the Kununurra community to have fun together and form relationships to alleviate isolation. - Shire of Mount Marshall - Funding Request $5,000
The establishment of two community gardens situated in the town sites of Bencubbin and Beacon, in the Shire of Mt Marshall, that are owned and managed by senior community members from each town. - Walpole Sport & Recreation Centre/Walpole Silver Chain - Funding Request $3,634.75
The project aims to attract senior persons to extend the present one-day per week program to encompass lifestyle-enriching programs. Involving four facets: community gardening, self-expression through art, making music and stress relief through Tai Chi programs. - Wheatbelt Sports Council, Bruce Rock - Funding Request $4,500
Provide training opportunities for seniors, which will benefit the community as they engage these new skills. The involvement of seniors in the role of sports trainers will allow an outlet from social isolation and help fill the shortage of volunteers in a number of important community groups including sporting clubs.
TOTAL FUNDING REQUIRED FOR GRANTS: $79,729.25
Minister's office: 9213 6900
