By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The late Casey mayor Mick Morland’s legendary community service continues to grow.
Since his funeral service in June, more than $5000 in donations has been channelled to the philanthropic Casey Cardinia Foundation.
At the request of the Morland family, mourners were asked to donate in lieu of flowers.
The funds will be held in trust, along with $25,000 donated by Casey Council, to establish an annual community grant in Mr Morland’s name.
Casey Cardinia Foundation executive director Therese Howell said the grant was expected to also receive donations from community and sports groups who wished to honour Mr Morland in an ongoing way.
“This is a wonderful collaborative opportunity for the community to honour Mick.
The annual grant is expected to align with Mr Morland’s values; he supported projects that underpinned community wellbeing, Ms Howell said.
He was particularly fond of projects for young people, sports and agencies for disadvantaged people.
On 30 October, the foundation is also set to name one of its 14 community grants after Mr Morland at its annual charity dinner.
That grant will go to a recipient close to Mr Morland’s heart, Ms Howell said.
She said Mr Morland was a regular supporter of the foundation’s charity dinner. As a councillor, he helped to establish the reborn foundation when it branched into Casey.
Mr Morland was keen to join the foundation as a director shortly before he died after being struck by a car on 24 June.
“He has been a huge supporter of the community and saw the potential that the Casey Cardinia Foundation had to make a significant difference in the local community.”
Since 2003, the Casey Cardinia Foundation has distributed more than $430,000 to community groups through its annual grants program.
To donate to the grant, go to caseycardiniafoundation.org/donate/
