• CUP Grants program supports the development of our regions through contributions to cultural, economic, sporting and related activities
• Round One of 2019 program awarded $60,000 to community groups across the Charles Sturt University footprint

Community groups across the Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) regional footprint are enjoying the benefits of the Community-University Partnership (CUP) Grants Program.

Charles Sturt Director of Industry and Community Engagement, Associate Professor Laura Dan, said Round Two of the CUP Grants Program opens for applications on Monday 15 July and closes on Friday 9 August.

“The goal of the CUP Grants program is to support the development of our regions through contributions to cultural, economic, sporting and related activities and build higher education aspiration and awareness particularly among young people in rural and regional communities,” Professor Dan said.

“Round One of the 2019 program awarded about $60,000 to community groups across the University footprint.

“Grants are available in six categories: arts and culture, education, Indigenous development, health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and sport.

“I encourage any and all interested community groups to apply.”

Applications can be made via https://about.csu.edu.au/community/grants and will close on Friday 9 August.

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

What community groups say about the Charles Sturt CUP Grants Program:

From Charles Sturt University in Dubbo in the Arts and Culture category: The Wellington Eisteddfod Society Incorporated spokesperson and President Mr Robert Collier said, “Our Wellington Eisteddfod Society Incorporated has been running for the past 43 years in Wellington NSW, bringing the opportunity for children to perform and compete in a competition in the various fields offered in dance, speech and drama as well as vocal and instrumental.

“To enable us to run the Eisteddfod this year we were forced to seek additional funding to cover the cost of the venue hire, therefore we made application to the Charles Sturt CUP Grant’s for assistance to allow this to happen, which we are most grateful to receive.”

From Charles Sturt University in Bathurst in the Indigenous Engagement category: Calare Public School spokesperson Ms Olivia Hordynsky, “As part of the Wiradjuri Education Garden, the ‘Wiradjuri Walk’ project aims to foster a sense of self, Indigenous culture, connection to land and positive relationships throughout the community of Calare Public School.

“Through the completion of the Wiradjuri Walk the school hopes to develop a safe, welcoming and engaging learning environment for our Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students, and aims to educate Indigenous students in a suitable learning environment.”

From Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie in the Sport category: The Kendall Tennis Club spokesperson and President Ms Wendy Hudson said, “The Charles Sturt University Community University Partnership Grant has meant we can run The Todd Woodbridge Cup at Kendall Tennis Club for another year, and up to 90 primary students can attend and play in the gala days.

“The grant covers the cost of running the gala days and it so beneficial to our club and our community, so a big thank you to Charles Sturt University.”

From Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga in the Environmental Sustainability category: The Bidgee School spokesperson Mr Will Curran said, “The Charles Sturt University Community University Partnerships Sustainability Grant has helped the Bidgee School purchase materials to build a greenhouse made from recycled 1.25 L soft drink bottles.

“The class has purchased hardware to construct the foundations and frame which the bottles will be attached to, and the plants we grow inside our greenhouse will be used as supplementary ingredients for the ‘Carevan’ meals to local homeless and disadvantaged people.”

From Charles Sturt University in Bathurst in the Health and Wellbeing category: Rockley Public School spokesperson Ms Leanne Taylor said, “Charles Sturt University’s generous sponsorship of a Community-University Partnerships (CUP) grant, allows our students and staff to participate in the Rhythm to Recovery program.