Media release – Hydro Tasmania, 29 July 2024
2024 Hydro Tasmania Community Grants announced
Six charities making real and lasting change to benefit Tasmanians have been announced as recipients of this year’s Hydro Tasmania community grants.
The successful applicants include charities focussed on sports and wellbeing, children and families, physical and mental health, and community connection.
One recipient is statewide volunteer-based charity Tassie Mums, which provides essential items to vulnerable and at-risk babies and children affected by financial hardship, mental health, homelessness, or family and domestic violence.
The $5,000 will go towards Tassie Mums’ Safe Travels program, ensuring families can safely travel to access their community and essential services, which will help improve health and wellbeing.
“We’re very grateful to receive a grant from Hydro Tasmania that will help support our Safe Travels program,” said Tassie Mums Founder and CEO Clair Harris.
“The money will go towards prams and car seats so that children in need have the opportunity to travel safely around our beautiful state.”
Tassie Mums has worked with more than 340 caseworkers from over 100 social services organisations, and in the last financial year they supported more than 2,500 children in Tasmania.
Hydro Tasmania’s Executive General Manager of People, Culture and Engagement Ruth Groom said the grant recipients were doing important work, often with small budgets and a volunteer workforce.
“Hydro Tasmania is inspired by the contributions organisations like Tassie Mums and our other recipients make to their communities. Through their support of Tasmanians they are making a genuine difference in people’s lives,” Ms Groom said.
“It’s fantastic to know that our community grants will help these charities achieve their goals.”
Hydro Tasmania Community Grants of up to $5,000 are available each year and applications are open throughout February and March.
The six 2024 Hydro Tasmania Community Grant recipients are Salvation Army Launceston, Tassie Mums, Spring Bay Suicide Prevention Network, Swimming Association of King Island, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Tasmania and Miracle Babies. For further information about each charity, see below.
Salvation Army Launceston (Launceston): An unused grass area will be transformed into a sheltered seating area where the community can come together to relax or engage in the Salvation Army’s programs, such as the free Breakfast Club, which runs Monday-Friday and Sundays.
Spring Bay Suicide Prevention Network (Spring Bay): LiveLife Alarms will be provided to at-risk elderly community members who live alone. The alarm alerts a nominated contact if there is a medical event like a fall or if they’re concerned for their safety.
Swimming Association of King Island (King Island): A non-slip surface will be installed at the swimming pool. The heated pool provides physio rehab facilities for post-op King Island community members, swimming lessons for children, dive instruction lessons, social swims, fitness swims and a community area where people can meet and talk.
Tassie Mums (Tasmania-wide): Tassie Mums provide essential baby and children’s items to social service organisations across Tasmania. The grant will contribute to the Safe Travels project which provides vulnerable babies and children with safe age-appropriate car seats and prams. This gives families greater access to their community and services for improved health and wellbeing.
Arthritis and Osteoporosis Tasmania (South and North/North-West Tasmania): This project will offer two half-day events for young people aged 18 years and under who are affected by juvenile arthritis, and their families. The events will provide a vital opportunity for families to connect and seek support from one another, share information on the challenges of living with juvenile arthritis. One event will be held in the south and one in the north/north-west.
Miracle Babies (Hobart): Sixty neonatal intensive care unit “Survival Packs” will be provided to the Royal Hobart Hospital. They contain premature-sized baby products and vital tools and resources to help families gain a better understanding of neonatal care and navigate the unit.
