THIRTY-five Canberra community groups and individuals will receive a share in $98,200 of ACT government grant funding. 

Provided as part of the second round of Community Connections Grants, the funds will help build a stronger sense of community through innovative projects, such as cultural, spiritual, sporting and recreation-based activities, that foster participation and connection, according to community services assistant minister Emma Davidson.

Grant recipient DEiFY, an entertainment agency for LGBTQ+ and POC people in Canberra, will use the funding to continue to create spaces that those groups have struggled to access within Canberra. 

Founder and member Ono Chowdhury says: “As a grassroots collective, we are creating events that are led by and celebrate the strength of LGBTQIA+ Bla(c)k and People of Colour despite the systemic and intersectional obstacles we face. 

“We can bring comfort and healing to individuals in the community, spread awareness of the community’s needs, and affirm the shared and differing struggles we all face.”

The full list of recipients includes:

• • Hangama Obaidullah for “Discovering My Future” – a project working with young Muslim women to build strong support networks and reduce social isolation through workshops.
  • Jessica Whaler to support a free, inclusive weekly parents and carers group at Nellie Hall in Melba.
  • Joel Dignam for his contribution toward OffBeat – a series of dance celebrations in an inclusive and accessible environment.
  • Josephine Reardon for a sewing course that connects indigenous and non?indigenous women.
  • Minna Featherstone for PA speakers for Crossroads – a gig house and community space for musicians in Canberra’s inner north. 
  • Dr Pradeep Sornaraj for contribution toward a community event in Ngunnawal that includes activities and games; live music and talent show; and stalls.
  • Robyn Simpson for contribution toward a series of trapeze workshops for Canberrans over fifty years of age.
  • Ros Kewley for a series of dinner events for people with disability to connect over a meal and develop skills for friendship.
  • Shulan Birch for workshops for older Chinese Canberrans to learn digital skills and make cloth face masks for the community.
  • ACT Hispanic P&C Association Inc to connect the Hispanic community and offer Hispanic cultural experiences.
  • ACT Red Hill Bush Regenerators for a native planting event on Red Hill Nature Reserve.
  • Australia Sri Lanka Association (ACT) for contribution toward a mental health and wellbeing program.
  • Belconnen Community Men’s Shed for materials for the construction of two work benches and a cabinet.
  • Belconnen Model Aero Club for the purchase of two radio control model flight training simulators for the delivery of covid safe training.
  • BESEDA, the Czechoslovak-Australian Association of Canberra, Inc. for equipment to assist those in their group to connect with the wider community digitally and participate in online workshops.
  • Bus Stop Films for contribution toward an inclusive project working with young adults with intellectual disability to produce a short film.
  • Canberra Blind Society for an arts and crafts program for blind or vision impaired persons (VIP) in the ACT aimed at breaking down barriers preventing VIPs from fully participating in the range of activities normally available to the general community.
  • Community Development Network of the ACT and Region for stories of community connection and resilience in a time of covid.
  • Community Housing Canberra for a free family fun day event for Community Housing Canberra staff, tenants, their families and disability support workers to connect through various sporting activities, train rides, music, arts and craft activities and a barbecue lunch.
  • Canberra Muslim Sports Club for contribution toward several sporting activities and events to address social isolation and other mental health challenges that are affecting the community following COVID-19.
  • Diamantina Scout Group for contribution toward a leadership program for scouts to guide other scouts through a set of obstacles on a Ninja Slackline course.
  • DEiFY for monthly social and educational events to build a strong sense of community among LGBTQIA+ Bla(c)k and people of colour based in Canberra.
  • Fair Canberra for contribution toward two practical, hands-on seminars on digital technologies and cyber safety delivered to Culturally and Lingistically Diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Gordon Community Centre/Lanyon Valley Anglican Church for the Friday Morning Project – a program held on each Friday on a two-week cycle that consists of a coffee and chat session on the first Friday and a seniors gentle exercise session on the alternate Friday.
  • Gordon Family Practice for a Teen Clinic – a nurse-led early intervention model of access to primary health care for teenagers. It is a free, drop-in service.
  • Gungahlin Bible Church for na eight-week art-based program to enhance community connection and mental health adjustment to the COVID-19 environment.
  • HelpingACT for contribution toward activities including religious festivities; digital skills training for elderly and vulnerable community members; provision of food supplies; and volunteer management and training.
  • Holy Covenant Anglican Church for a series of talks to the local community, delivered by mental health professionals and people with lived experience of mental illness, to support individuals experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress.
  • House of Noor for contribution toward several events and activities to connect members within the broader Canberra Muslim Community, including opportunities for non-Muslim Canberrans to engage.
  • Macquarie Primary School P&C for contribution toward the purchase of bilingual books to support multilingual story time sessions for parents of children who are English as an Additional Language or Dialect learners.
  • Molonglo Valley Community Forum for contribution toward a project to live stream meetings of the Molonglo Valley Community Forum as an innovative form of community consultation and engagement.
  • Pakistan Australia Friendship Association for contribution toward a cultural community dinner event with engaging performances, open to all members of the public.
  • Scullin Community Group for contribution toward a series of events at Humpy Hall in Scullin such as movie nights and family-friendly music gatherings to reconnect the community.
  • Sitara’s Story Incorporated for contribution toward their project that includes a story writing competition, storytelling event and an award ceremony for the best story writers/teller.
  • The Girls Leadership Network for contribution toward a free program to empower young women through leadership workshops.