Council funding for community projects

A number of Peninsula-based groups and projects will receive funding Gosford Council Community and Cultural Development Grants announced last week.

They include Mingaletta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, Mary Mac's Place, Peninsula Families Action Group, The Gals, Woy Woy Little Theatre, Central Coast Poets Society, Empire Bay Progress Association, PIPA Turrongankal Mulbari, Troubadour Central Coast Incorporated and three council community development projects.

A presentation ceremony was held at the Erina Centre on August 30, with Gosford Mayor Cr Laurie Maher presiding.

The three community development projects include a community safety forum, "Celebrate Safely - Umina Beach" and Harmonize Events.

The aim of the community safety forum is to gather the community and relevant government agencies to discuss safety concerns in the Gosford Local Government Area (LGA).

The forum is scheduled for late July.

Celebrate Safely - Umina Beach is an alcohol and drug free community-event aimed towards younger residents of the Peninsula.

It will be held in conjunction with "schoolies week".

As part of the event, a free afternoon of bands, "mocktails" and celebrations is proposed for Umina Beach.

Harmonize Events is a pilot action research project that aims to address the deficiency in safe and accessible entertainment opportunities for young people, under 18, in the Gosford area.

One of the areas that would be targeted would be Umina Beach.

Mary Mac's Place received funding to expand its services, including programs, training and equipment.

The grant was in response to a 40 per cent increase in demand for its meals in the last year.

The Mingaletta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporation will receive funding for both its "Sistas Surviving Together, Achieving Strength" program and its "Deadly, Young and Indigenous" Project.

An inaugural meeting of "Sistas Surviving Together, Achieving Strength" was held in May, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island (ATSI) women from the local area attending as a branch of the Marawarpina ATSI Womens Program.

The project provides scope for the inaugural year activities to bring women together.

Activities include getting to know one another, support and encouragement, cultural awareness and self empowerment.

The "Deadly, Young and Indigenous" project is an indigenous youth program targeting young people in the Gosford LGA.

The project will further develop a structured youth initiative and will provide an opportunity for the Mingaletta Youth Liaison to establish formal links with youth services, schools and young people to recognise and promote talents, personal pursuits or goals addressing personal and community struggles.

It will involve mentoring, advocacy, support and referral.

The Peninsula Families Action Group will receive funding to hold a community event in a local park to launch its "Proud of our Parks" project and raise awareness of the group and its activities.

The event will include a sausage sizzle, information stalls and children's activities.

The Gals will receive funding to provide a variety concert at the Ettalong Senior Citizens' Club.

The Woy Woy Little Theatre will receive funding so that HSC VET Entertainment students can stage the Australian play "Second Childhood" by Glenn Perry.

The students will be fully involved in all aspects of the production such as designing, backstage and front-of-house.

The Central Coast Poets Society will launch its national poetry competition, The Henry Kendall Award, on the Peninsula.

The funding will assist in promoting and administering the running of the competition.

The funds will also assist with compiling and professional printing a quality 140-page poetry anthology.

It will also assist in widely promoting and launching the anthology at the Peninsula Theatre, Woy Woy, on December 9.

The Empire Bay Progress Association received funding to operate an art and craft show to support Peninsula artists and provide artists with their first chance to exhibit.

PIPA Turrongankal Mulbari received funding to provide the traditional indigenous dance tuition to youth in the Gosford area.

The tutoring would include singing workshops, cultural workshops and art workshops.

The project will be a pilot project within the Gosford area, which aims to provide each student with at least a minimum of one dance and song from their own clan, nation or language group.

Troubadour Central Coast Incorporated received funding to promote and preserve traditional and cultural music from Australia and other parts of the world by presenting a series of concerts at the Peninsula Theatre.

All non-profit community groups in the local area were eligible to apply for the grants.

Press release, August 28 Sharon Moore, Gosford Council