Council's 2024 Grants Recipients Announced: For Community - Sports & Infrastructure - Environment - Placemaking
The 64 grant recipients will receive a share of $370,000 as part of Council's annual grants program.
Mayor Sue Heins said the grants program has a significant positive impact on our local community.
“This week we announce the recipients of 4 categories of grants, with each requiring recipients to meet a strict set of criteria.
“The grants aim to drive innovation, support local businesses, protect the environment and empower organisations and individuals that play a vital role in supporting others and creating a connected and vibrant local area.”
The details are:
Sports and Infrastructure Grants
A total funding pool of $100,000 will be used to make improvements to community sport and recreation facilities on Council managed land. Five successful projects were allocated funding between $10,000 and $35,000.
Sport and recreation grants 2024/2025 recipients:
A total of $681,104 (excluding GST) was requested with $100,000 (excluding GST) available.
Harbord United Junior Rugby League Football Club - To install a new drainage system on sportsfield 1 at Harbord Park, Freshwater. Approved funding: $35,000
Bareena Park Tennis Club - To install new lighting on 3 unlit tennis courts at the Bareena Park Tennis Centre, Balgowlah Heights. Approved funding: $30,000
Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders Soccer Club - To upgrade the kitchen and canteen in the clubhouse building at Terrey Hills Oval, Terrey Hills. Approved funding: $12,864
Allambie Beacon Hill United Football Club - To install a new storage shed on the clubhouse building at Beacon Hill Reserve, Beacon Hill. Approved funding: $12,000
Newport Bowling Club - To upgrade the female bathrooms in the Newport Bowling Club building, Newport .Approved funding: $10,136
Environmental Grants
Environmental Grants provide grants of up to $5,000 to 11 applicants.
Some of the successful projects include bush regeneration projects, monthly beach clean ups, a swamp wallaby monitoring program, energy efficient lighting upgrades a water monitoring program and the installation of native bees at a local community garden.
Recipients 2024/25:
Hazel Malloy - Pittwater Wagstaffe Spotted Gum Forest Rehabilitation on Scotland Island. Approved funding: $5,000
Northside Enterprise Inc Bush - Regeneration at Freshwater Dunes. Approved funding: $5,000
Pittwater Natural Heritage Association - Bush Regeneration at Avalon Golf Course. Approved funding: $5,000
Surfrider Foundation Limited - Adopt A Beach Program - monthly beach clean-ups at 10 locations. Approved funding: $5,000
Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Inc. - Swamp wallaby monitoring program in partnership with Charles Sturt University. Approved funding: $5,000
Bayview Golf Club Limited - Protect the environment and biodiversity of the golf course by removing Camphor Laurel trees. Approved funding: $4,650
Manly Warringah Kayak Club Inc. -Energy efficiency lighting upgrade at the Club. Approved funding: $3,500
Catholic Parish of Frenchs Forest - Kierans Creek Water Monitoring project. Approved funding: $1,964
Peninsula Community Gardens Inc. - Installation of stingless bees in the community garden at Newport. Approved funding: $1,410
Total $36,524
The below projects were also funded:
Northside Enterprise Inc Bush Regeneration - Flora Ritchie. Approved funding: $5,000
Northside Enterprise Inc Bush Regeneration - Greendale Creek. Approved funding: $5,000
Total $10,000
Placemaking Grants
A total of $17,000 has been allocated to individuals and organisations to deliver new and renewed activities to drive vibrancy in local centres and stimulate the local economy.
Successful Applicants 2024-2025:
Community Bank Freshwater - Funding to support the delivery of “Festive Freshie”- a community Christmas celebration in Freshwater Village bringing together the community and businesses to drive pre-Christmas sales and increase foot traffic to the centre. Funding Amount : $4,000
Bronwyn Keller, Funding to support “Afternoons of Rhythm” - A series of busking afternoons in early 2025 and a Village Showcase night highlighting the unique offerings of the local businesses and featuring performances from talented locals. Funding Amount : $4,000
Elanora Christmas Market - Funding to support the "2024 Elanora Heights Christmas Markets". Building on the success of previous successful events on Kalang Road, which resulted in dramatic increases local business spend and brought the community together to celebrate Elanora. Funding Amount : $4,000
Friends of Freshwater - Loss and Learning in the Freshwater Pocket Park. Funding to support the creation and installation of a First Nations mural behind the Aboriginal Heritage Building in Freshwater. Funding Amount : $2,600
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce - Funding to support “Spring Into Summer”- a collaborative celebration of Newport where business offers and entertainment will create a market atmosphere bringing communities together to showcase Newport. Funding Amount : $2,400
Community Grants
A total funding pool of $200,000 was available for two grant programs under this stream - Arts and Creativity and Community Development, with 45 applicants being successful for funding of up to $10,000 per project.
Successful applicants for Community Development grants include programs that reduce social isolation, increase beach safety for diverse communities, support survivors of abuse, provide art programs for multicultural communities, support people disability and single mothers.
Community Development Grants Program Recipients: 2024/25
Grants funding was available across two categories:
- Community Development
- Small Grants
Community Development Recipients:
Armenian Seniors Association Inc. - Connecting The elderly Armenian Community within the Northern Beaches. Towards 20 social gatherings, 2 excursions, 10 workshops and 2 cultural activities for 90 members of the Armenian elderly (60+) on the Northern Beaches to increase social and cultural connections. Approved funding: $7,998
Bridge Housing Limited - Reducing social isolation in Narraweena; 30 workshops and 5 skills training events improving tenant wellbeing and community connectedness through enabling community connections, reducing isolation and improving physical and mental wellbeing. Approved funding: $9,828
Dee Why Surf Lifesaving Club Incorporated - Beach Safety for All; Towards 36 beach safety and surf awareness events, programs and award courses at our facilities and local beach targeting recent migrant groups and other minority communities that do not come from a traditional beach and/or ocean aware background. Approved funding: $8,000
Epilepsy Action Australia - 'Equip' Epilepsy Awareness in the Northern Beaches; Equip will provide epilepsy awareness resources and skills training to approximately 120 people living and working in the Northern Beaches local government area including Mandarin speakers, promoting understanding, access, wellbeing and connections among diverse community groups. Approved funding: $5,000
Lifeline Northern Beaches Limited - Clinical Support group: Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse (ASCA) – Women; 6 skills training and 6 peer support workshops by trained professionals supporting adults who have survived trauma, particularly women. Approved funding: $10,000
Mongrels Men Health and Wellbeing Limited - Mental Health Response Ready Community Champions; Delivering 5 Mental Health Response Workshops to 150 sporting Club Officials, Coaches and Managers to build a network of community-based Mental Health Champions. Approved funding: $4,000
Nest Incorporated - Art programs bridging gaps for multicultural communities; 10 art classes, and 10 peer support sessions and 2 art exhibitions for seniors from former Yugoslavia, 5 multicultural theatre performances for young families and their children speaking Serbian and Croatian. Approved funding: $6,000
Ocean Heroes - Ocean Heroes Manly Free Events Program; Delivering 3 free surfing events in Manly to improve the wellbeing of those on the autism spectrum and their families through surfing. We provide an opportunity for the autism community to access the ocean in a fun, safe and inclusive environment. Approved funding: $3,000
Proveda Belong Club - Belong Club: All Abilities Dance Class; Partnering with Dance Health Alliance to deliver 24 fortnightly dance classes to reduce social isolation and loneliness and improve mental health among seniors on the Northern Beaches. Approved funding: $5,000
The Association of Drug Referral Centres (trading as Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre) - AOD groups for young people; Delivering a pilot program of 30 targeted engagements with young people at risk of suspension, expulsion or homelessness who are experiencing harms associated with alcohol and other drug use in partnership with local high schools and youth services. Approved funding: $10,000
The Groove And Wellness Society Inc. - Groove Well; Delivering 36 dance and mental health education workshops that bring together diverse groups in the Northern Beaches. By targeting young people (12-24), families, older adults (60+), and individuals experiencing mental ill-health, our initiative fosters intergroup and intergenerational connections. Approved funding: $5,000
Women & Children First - WACF "Moments" Program; Providing 36 support offerings for women and children escaping domestic violence and experiencing homelessness including workshops, mentoring, free yoga and a family photo shoot to enhance wellbeing, promote healing and support rebuilding. Approved funding: $5,000
Women's Resilience Centre Limited - Resilient Motherhood; An 8-week community parenting course to support and educate single mothers experiencing parenting stress to help women move forward and break the domestic, family violence cycle. Approved funding: $10,000
Small Grants RecipientsExpand Small Grants Recipients:
ARTABILITY, under the auspices of the Northern Beaches Creative Leisure and Learning Inc. ; Artability Accessible Creative Arts Community Project Delivering 24 art and craft classes, 2 excursions and an exhibition providing social and community connection opportunities for 30 people living with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, their families and carers. Approved funding: $3,000
Avalon Youth Hub - SLAY: Supporting LGBTQI+ Advocacy and Youth; A peer support group for 15 LGBTQI+ youth aged 12-24, delivering 2 peer support group meetings, 2 workshops, 2 social activities and 2 excursions aiming to reduce isolation, enhance mental well-being, and foster a supportive community for young people. Approved funding: $5,000
Community Northern Beaches Incorporated (Operating as LocalKind) - Human Library: Voices of Resilliance; A Human Library event for 200 participants for Refugee Week fostering understanding, challenges stereotypes, and builds bridges between refugees and the community, promoting acceptance and inclusion. Participants can "check out" human books—refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants sharing personal stories of resilience, courage, and hope. Approved funding: $3,345
FILCOS North Shore Inc. - Philippine Fiesta Experience at the Northern Beaches; A festival led by 50 cultural participants celebrating and promoting Philippine culture for the community through traditional music, dance and food. Approved funding: $4,500
Fusion Pride Northern Beaches - Fusion Pride Picnic 2025; Family friendly event in Dee Why for 1,000 participants as part of Sydney Mardi Gras with local live musicians and stalls promoting local LGBTQIA+ support organisations to celebrate diversity and encourage acceptance on the beaches. Approved funding: $5,000
Literacy Network Manly Warringah Inc. - Update of Literacy Network's name and equipment upgrade; Upgraded teaching equipment to support 40 migrants to learn English, enabling community participation, access to services, vocational study and employment. Approved funding: $3,417
Men's Kitchen Association Limited - Upgrade Membership Management System; Upgrade to membership system to more effectively manage courses and communications for 150 members providing cooking classes at three locations across the Northern Beaches to groups of men to learn self-care skills and increase social connection. Approved funding: $3,089
Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT Inc. - Wheelchair Sports Rolling Rainbow Sports Day; An open day event for 55 people living with a disability from the LGBTQI+ community and allies to participate in a range of Wheelchair Sports to promote participation in community sport, increase self-confidence and connection to community. Approved funding: $3,823
Arts and Creativity Grants: Recipients
Successful applicants in the Arts and Creativity category will provide community art workshops, art therapy, an arts and writers festival, a cultural event and a pilot music program.
Council received 73 applications across two project categories, with 24 projects awarded grant funding totalling $100,087. Of the 24 projects recommended for funding, 6 projects received the full amount requested and 18 projects received partial funding.
Independent Creative Projects:
I.C. Markus Dunworth & R. Siciliano - Eco film processing in industry waste with The Darkroom Social; A series of three subsidised community workshops, increasing access to creative education with a sustainability focus. Held in collaboration with local businesses, these workshops will have low-cost tickets and will teach students to repurpose hospitality waste for an eco-friendly alternative to photographic development processes. Approved funding: $4,000
J.A. Nicholson & F.C. Verity, Art W*nk Podcast: platform subscription - Project support towards audience development and promotion for a weekly podcast produced on the Northern Beaches featuring local creatives and gallerists. Approved funding: $978
Jackelyn Bickell, Create. Connect. Cultivate: Professional development seminars for emerging artists - Towards three professional development seminars with networking workshops for local emerging artists. Local established practitioners will provide expertise and insights across different focus topics, fostering connections through knowledge exchange. Approved funding: $3,000
Jodie Katherine Dowd, Wayapa Wuurk: Practitioner training and workshops - Providing professional development for local Noongar weaver and curator Jodie Dowd, towards accredited study in Wayapa Wuurk (Indigenous cultural knowledges), and three free community Wayapa Wuurk workshops for 20 community members with yarning circles, and program evaluation. Approved funding: $5,000
Joshua Paul Little, Ikigai Sessions: Video and performance recording project - Towards professional development for a local emerging musician to release a four-track EP, five-part YouTube series featuring local artists, businesses, and cultural centres, and 12 live music performances at venues on the Northern Beaches. Approved funding: $3,349
Katherine Alison Butcher, Common Threads: Collaborative exhibition with community workshops - A two-week inaugural exhibition featuring sustainable art using repurposed materials by six Northern Beaches artists. It includes a collaborative soft sculpture using weaving, sewing, beading, threading, dyeing, and painting. The event offers free interactive drop-in sessions with the artists, community 'create with us' activities, two ticketed weekend workshops, and a final showcase event. Approved funding: $5,000
Li Sze Teo, Eastern ceramic techniques: Practitioner training, exhibition and community workshops - Towards supporting a local ceramicist to develop and share a new practice not readily available on the Northern Beaches. Project includes a Taiwanese Ceramics Exhibition, two public talks, and two subsidised Qinghua painting workshops for eight people. Approved funding: $4,000
Mai Oshima, Stained glass workshops - Annual program comprising 24 stained-glass workshops, including children’s school holiday workshops to promote hands-on creativity, relaxation, and community engagement. Approved funding: $4,000
Michael Booth, Manly bookshop theatre project - Nine public performances for 350+ audience of Annie Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation performed in Desire Books & Records in Manly, presenting theatre in unique, non-traditional spaces, and providing professional development opportunities for local actors and crew. Approved funding: $3,000
Penelope Susan Blunsden, Everywhere and Nowhere: Solo exhibition - A two-week debut exhibition at Curl Curl Creative Space for a local emerging artist recently graduated from the National Art School, including exhibition launch and free guided tours with the artist. Approved funding: $3,500
Simon Maurice and John Croker, Phantom Elegance: Film project - Supporting local creatives to produce a short film based on ghost stories of the Wakehurst Parkway from a queer perspective. The project includes production, music composition, set and costume design and two public screenings during the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2025 on the Northern Beaches and in Darlinghurst. Approved funding: $5,000
Siobhan Stollznow, Fibre Arts Festival - One-day festival at Curl Curl Creative Space to connect the knitting, crochet, and needlework communities of the Northern Beaches and Sydney. Includes market stalls, skills exchange, and in-person social networking for greater wellbeing. Approved funding: $2,000
Community and Creative Sector Projects:
Amber Marie Boardman, Drawing marathon for high school visual arts students - Towards a two-day drawing workshop marathon conducted by two established Northern Beaches artists for 20 high school visual arts students at Bushwick South Studios. The project includes program development, materials, mentorship, and a public exhibition of student work. Approved funding: $5,000
Anita Patricia Connell, Art therapy program for young people - Towards an inclusive music education program for high school students and young people with disability on the Northern Beaches to co-create music over one school term, culminating in a three-day recording session to produce a professional recording for distribution. Led by music therapists, participants gain new skills and learn how to use music to enhance health. Approved funding: $5,340
Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Incorporated, Avalon Village Arts and Environmental Festival -A weekend-long festival with ticketed and free events featuring live music, multi-media, and slam-poetry performances; an exhibition of local artists at Avalon Surf Club; a program of events curated by First Nations Community; and creative and environmental workshops and talks. Approved funding: $5,000
Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Cerebral Palsy Alliance: Arts and creativity program - Towards the development of a new program to support local people with disability develop new skills and express themselves through creativity. Approved funding: $2,400
Hamazkaine Armenian Educational & Cultural Society Regional Committee, Armenian Prpoor Festival Australia 2025 - A weekend festival at the Hamazkaine Arshak & Sophie Galstaun College (Ingleside) for 400+ people connecting Armenian and non-Armenian residents through music, dance, and food, sharing cultural practices fostering a sense of community belonging. Approved funding: $6,000
Lewis Edward Holt, Canned Laughter: Comedy development program - A 12-month program with monthly workshops and performances at local venues to develop the skills, industry knowledge, and careers of local comedians. Towards workshop facilitators, artist fees, and production. Approved funding: $6,000
Manly Theatre Group Incorporated, Festival of Short Plays: Program development - Towards program development and rehearsal space hire for the Festival of Short Plays, supporting the creation of up to 15 short new plays written and performed by local creatives, free workshops, and skills development training. Approved funding: $2,000
Manly Writers' Festival Inc., Manly Writers' Festival 2025 - A three-day ticketed literary festival for 2,000+ writers and readers showcasing emerging and established authors from the Northern Beaches and beyond. Curated program features up to 40 sessions including one-on-one conversations, workshops, and panel discussions in Manly. Approved funding: $5,000
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, Newport local music pilot program - A new program to support live music in Newport. Towards musician fees for two free live performances at two Newport venues over a four-month period. Connecting community and supporting local venues. Approved funding: $3,000
Romani Arts and Culture Collective Incorporated, Balkan-Brazilian cultural event - A one-day intercultural event for 300+ people, featuring 18 culturally diverse artists and 10 emerging jazz musicians to connect and represent multicultural communities living on the Northern Beaches. Towards the creation of new music, mentorship of young musicians, and artist performance fees. Approved funding: $6,000
The Balgowlah Bowling Club Ltd., Eastern Lounge: Live music program - A new, monthly live music program hosted at the Balgowlah Bowling Club, in partnership with the Eastern Lounge, to showcase Northern Beaches and local Sydney emerging and established musicians. Towards production and technicians for four events, featuring 12 acts for 450+ audience members. Approved funding: $3,520
Venessa Crane, Me and My Shadows: Theatre production - Toward development of an intergenerational production of a new theatre work, based on Goethe’s Faust including six accessible public performances at Kamaroi School (Belrose). Production features a diverse cast and crew of 30 local creatives across all abilities. Towards multimedia production equipment, costume and prop materials, and documentation. Approved funding: $8,000
To find out more about our grants program, eligibility and how to apply for the next round, visit Council's Grants webpage.
