Four local organisations in Werribee will share in over $30,000 of VicHealth funding to support residents hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic to improve their health and wellbeing.

Wyndham United Soccer Club and Werribee Junior Cricket Club are among the organisations to receive a VicHealth Reimagining Health Grant to provide greater opportunities for physical activity to young people in Werribee, overcoming financial barriers associated with uniform, fees and sporting equipment costs.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas said the funding will support those in the community who need it most.

“This much-needed funding from VicHealth will ensure local organisations can continue supporting our community to build back better from the impact of coronavirus,” Mr Pallas said.

“Grass-roots organisations are the heart and soul of Werribee and their efforts are key to helping us recover from this pandemic.”

VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio said community organisations play a vital role, now more than ever, in helping people connect and take care of their wellbeing.

“As we embrace the new COVID-normal, we’re committed to supporting Victorians to be more physically active, access healthy, affordable food and to socially connect,” Dr Demaio said.

“These grants will help more Victorians enjoy better health and wellbeing through the direct support of their local clubs, organisations and community groups.”

Grant recipients in the Werribee District include:

• Auspicious Arts, which will use their funding to run a new program to engage more youth of African Australian background in musical theatre through the production of a musical for presentation to an audience. This program will invite participants from across Wyndham to take part in auditions, rehearsals and presentation for audience of a musical.
• Werribee Junior Cricket Club, which use this grant for discounted fees and uniforms for families under financial pressure. COVID-19 restrictions mean sharing equipment is not possible and this will remove barriers to children in Wyndham connecting socially through cricket.
• Wyndham City Council will use this grant to develop Junior Active Travel Leaders at two primary schools, a network of grade 5 and 6 students who promote active travel to their peers. The funding will be used for 6 bikes or scooters (1 for each leader), plus helmets, locks, safety vests and stencils to help the leaders advocate and provide incentives for more children to travel actively to and from school.
• Wyndham United Soccer Club will use this grant to sponsor 15 junior/senior players from the local Karenni population from Myanmar to remove the financial barrier to their participation. The aim to replicate the success of a similar project that subsidised registration costs for local South Sudanese players leading to a boom in South Sudanese participants at the club.

For further information, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/funding/reimagining-health-grants.