Funding boost for Variety

Variety-the Children’s Charity Tasmania receives a $5,000 funding boost for their life-changing work in Hobart

Rosny Park based Not-For-Profit (NFP) organisation, Variety-the Children’s Charity Tasmania, has been awarded a $5,000 Westpac Foundation Community Grant in support of their amazing work and commitment to special needs youth in Hobart.

Variety-the Children’s Charity Tasmania, is committed to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. Their work allows children to gain mobility and freedom, to get out and about in the community, enable communication, achieve independence and increase self-esteem. Westpac Foundation’s Community Grant will allow the organisation to send special needs children to Goanna Park in Darwin as part of their national adventure camp participation program.

Variety Tasmania State Manger, Luke Doyle said: “We will identify children from Hobart to participate in the camp which consists of activities tailored to suit young people with disabilities. The camps are invaluable for the young people’s self-esteem and we are thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity to these local children.”

Westpac Foundation is committed to supporting community organisations whose core work helps disadvantaged people play a fuller role in the community. By supporting smaller organisations who attract little funding from government, the Westpac Foundation Community Grants Program helps break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion at a local level. This year Westpac, in partnership with Westpac Foundation, will be awarding $588,000 in funding to 65 community organisations from each state and territory in Australia.

Jason Yetton, Group Executive of Westpac Retail & Business Banking and a Trustee of Westpac Foundation said: “Westpac has a rich history of helping to create brighter futures for those in our communities. The Westpac Foundation Community Grants Program is a prime example of our commitment to advancing the lives of all Australians. Now in its third year, the Westpac Foundation Community Grants Program has donated more than $1.6 million to 177 organisations across the nation.”

Recipients were selected by Westpac employees, in conjunction with Westpac Foundation, for their commitment to making a difference in their local communities including providing employment opportunities for Indigenous people in remote areas, training pathways for people who have experienced homelessness, helping youth at risk, helping people from refugee backgrounds to find long-term work and providing opportunities for people with disabilities.

“We are so proud to support communities at the grassroots level and give them a hand in improving the lives of people who need it most. In 2014, we’ve received more than double the applications we received last year, highlighting the significant need within communities around the country. Through Westpac Foundation Community Grants, our local teams are making a valuable contribution to the communities where they live and work.” said Mr Yetton.

Greg Holman, Relationship Director of Commercial Banking at Westpac and Tasmania and Northern Territory representative of the Westpac Foundation Board said: “We are delighted to present the Westpac Foundation Community Grant of $5,000 to Variety-the Children’s Charity Tasmania. The Charity do a fantastic job in the Hobart region, providing support to special needs children.

“We’re thrilled to help raise awareness of the Goanna Park project and allow them to continue their great work in Tasmania,” said Mr Holman.

For more information on the Westpac Foundation Community Grants Program, please visit www.westpac.com.au/westpacfoundation
Variety Tasmania State Manger, Luke Doyle