• Eighteen community organisations in the Albury-Wodonga and Wangaratta region have received up to $1,000 each through the Charles Sturt University 2024 Community University Partnership (CUP) Grants program to support their activities.

Charles Sturt University has awarded a total of $16,442 to 18 organisations in the Albury-Wodonga and Wangaratta region as part of the 2024 Community University Partnership (CUP) Grants program.

Three of the organisations in these areas that received 2024 CUP grants are James Fallon High School, Galen Catholic College and Albury Pool Pirates Water Polo Club.

Charles Sturt Director of External Engagement in Albury-Wodonga Mr David Bardos said the CUP Grant program is designed to assist regional projects that support cultural, economic, sporting and environmental development or higher education aspirations, particularly among youth in the University’s region.

“At Charles Sturt University, we are proud to help our local communities develop throughout our regional footprint and are committed to supporting their continued positive impact through the projects and initiatives they deliver,” Mr Bardos said.

James Fallon High School in Albury received an Arts and Culture CUP grant valued at $1,000 to run an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NAIDOC art project. 

The school’s Aboriginal Education Coordinator Ms Miriam O’Rance said their school is committed to the promotion of First Nations excellence. 

“Each year, we recognise and celebrate NAIDOC Week with a First Nations student-led assembly where students share what the theme for the year means to them,” Ms O’Rance said. 

“Charles Sturt's support allowed us to invite a local artist into the school, supporting our Aboriginal students to share their culture through art.

“Through the beautiful pieces they've made, we've begun transforming our school into a place of cultural safety where students feel seen. Without feeling seen, the world can be a lonely place." 

Galen Catholic College in Wangaratta received a $1,000 Education Development Grant to upgrade their equipment for the school’s VEX Robotics Program.

Teacher Ms Maree Timms said the improved equipment would bring them up to speed with metropolitan counterparts currently leading the competition.

“Our journey through regional robotics competitions saw one of our teams qualify for the state championships and they went on to qualify for the VEX Nationals Championships in Adelaide in December 2023,” Ms Timms said.

“Our team achieved a remarkable 5th place, but we noticed that the top four schools, all hailing from Sydney, were equipped with 2nd Generation Kits, pneumatics and additional sensors, earning them the chance to represent Australia in the USA in April 2024.

“To continue our own success and bridge the equipment gap, we aim to acquire upgrades to our 1st Generation Kits with the support of Charles Sturt.”

Albury Pool Pirates Water Polo Club received a Sports Development CUP grant of $1,000 to fund their Making Waves program, empowering the pool pirates with water polo training equipment.

In 2024 Charles Sturt University received 160 CUP grant applications across its regional NSW footprint, with 72 projects awarded a total of $69,283.

Grant categories include Arts and Culture, Sports Development, Education Development, Health and Wellbeing and Environmental Sustainability.