By Eleanor Wilson
Two Berwick community groups are among several hundred across the country to receive a grant from Australia Post as part of its ‘People of Post’ initiative.
JNU Melbourne Chinese Language and Culture School will receive a grant of $1000 to help it hold a Mid-Autumn Festival to celebrate Chinese culture and heritage for community members.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival is a Chinese cultural holiday held between mid-September to early October, historically celebrating the post-autumn harvest season.
Casey Friendship Association will also receive $1000 to hold a Chinese New Year celebration and encourage the broader community to experience and appreciate traditional Chinese culture.
On Monday Australia Post announced the diverse community groups will share in almost $350,000 for projects such as community gardens, arts and crafts workshops, and volunteer training, after being nominated by their local postie, Post Office worker or another Australia Post team member.
Australia Post Head of Community Nicky Tracey said the program took a grassroots approach, with team members encouraged to offer a nomination based on their own personal connection to a local organisation.
“These grants give us an opportunity to support what matters to our team members, and to help them to help others in their local community,” Ms Tracey said.
“We are delighted that so many of our people around Australia were keen to make a difference and nominated an organisation close to their heart for a grant.”
Recipients include non-profit groups across metro, regional and remote areas and in every state of Australia, with more than half awarded in regional and remote communities.
Since 2018 more than 1,350 grants totalling more than $842,000 have been awarded as part of the Australia Post program.
The full list of Australia Post’s 2022 People of Post Grants recipients, listed by state and location, and more information about the grants program is available at: auspost.com.au/popgrants
Australia Post will also launch its 2022 Community Grants program in June, with organisations able to apply for funding for projects that support mental health and well being in local communities
