• Recipients announced for the Environmental Sustainability Stream of the 2022 Charles Sturt Community University Partnerships (CUP) Grants program
• The Rock Central School received a $1,000 grant
• South Wagga Rotary Rocky Hill Regeneration group received $952 in funding
• Grants can be applied to projects that improve the environmental and social sustainability of regional communities within the Charles Sturt footprint

Charles Sturt University continues to provide funding to support community groups, organisations, and schools across the University’s regional NSW communities.

In the latest round of the Charles Sturt 2022 Community University Partnerships Grants (CUP) Environmental Sustainability Stream a local community group and school in the Wagga Wagga area have received almost $2,000 in total funding to deliver environmental projects.  

The Rock Central School has received a $1,000 grant and the South Wagga Rotary Rocky Hill Regeneration community group has received $952 in funding.

CUP Grants can be put towards regional projects that support cultural, economic, sporting, environmental development, or higher education aspiration among youth in regional areas.

Charles Sturt Sustainability Manager Mr Edward Maher said the environmental sustainability stream of the program supports community initiatives that drive environmental priorities at the local level.    

“Charles Sturt is proud to support projects that drive sustainable practices in regional communities,” Mr Maher said.   

“The CUP grants program is another example of how the University continues to be a leader in higher education global sustainability," Mr Maher said.

Agriculture teacher at The Rock Central School Mr Scott Callaghan was delighted to receive the funding.

“The grant will go towards purchasing earth worms to assist in breaking down the organic material within our school’s veggie gardens,” Mr Callaghan said.  

“In addition to academia, our school strives to inspire students to learn how to recycle their scraps and to grow their own vegetables, which this funding supports.” 

Coordinator of the South Wagga Rotary Rocky Hill Regeneration group Mrs Milena Dunn said the funding would go a long way to making Rocky Hill more biodiverse.

“As custodians we're working to keep Rocky Hill woody weed-free,” Mrs Dunn said.

“The funding will go towards kangaroo-proof fencing that will protect any vulnerable native tree saplings from being destroyed as kangaroos cross Kooringal's Rocky Hill in search of feed.”

South Wagga Rotary's Rocky Hill Regeneration was awarded 2022 Runner-up NSW Environmental Citizen of the year.

Applications for the 2023 Charles Sturt CUP Grants program open at the beginning of next year.

Grants of up to $1,000 can be put towards equipment and material purchases, workshops and catering for projects that fall within any of these categories:

• Arts and Culture
• Sports Development
• Education Development
• Health and Wellbeing
• Environmental Sustainability

Applications can be made via the 'Grants’ page on the Charles Sturt website.

For more information, please contact community@csu.edu.au

Charles Sturt continues to be a national and international leader in sustainability. The University ranked in the top five per cent globally for sustainable practices out of more than 1,400 universities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022.

ENDS