• Charles Sturt awards 10 Community University Partnership Grants to recipients in Wagga Wagga and Riverina region
  
• The University awarded 66 grants valued at $64,650 in 2023
• The next round of CUP Grants opens in February 2024

Charles Sturt University is enriching lives of those in the Riverina by awarding community grants that will fund a range of projects for mental health, sporting ventures and the arts.

Charles Sturt’s Community University Partnerships (CUP) Grants Program offers community groups grants of up to $1,000 to develop our regions through contributions to cultural, economic, sporting and related activities.

The University funded $64,650 worth of projects in 2023 via 66 successful grants from 150 applications across its six regional campus footprints.

There were 10 successful applicants in the Riverina region with a total value of $10,750.

Successful applicants for 2023 include:

• Coolamon Preschool
• Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW Uranquinty Evening Branch
• Cycling Without Age Australia Wagga Wagga Chapter
• Kapooka Public School
• Nova Health Co
• Riverina Conservatorium of Music
• Turvey Park Junior Football Netball Club
• Up2Date Art Exhibition
• Wagga Wagga Community Media Ltd
• Wagga Wagga Lake Run and Ride

Among the projects to be funded are a mental wellbeing program, sporting equipment for girls AFLW, disability car park shade sails and a ‘Disney: 100 Years of Music’ show.

Charles Sturt Director of External Engagement for Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga Mr David Bardos said the CUP Grants enable the University to ensure its campus footprint communities remain vibrant.

“We need strong volunteering networks, community engagement and fundraising activities in regional communities to ensure that we ‘create a world worth living in’,” he said.

“Charles Sturt University proudly stands beside them in this endeavour, recognising the vital role they play in strengthening the fabric of regional Australia.”

Grant recipient CWA Uranquinty Evening Branch received $1,000 to create a Community Events Kit. Mr Bardos said the kit will aid in its efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the Riverina community.

“The Community Events Kit is not just about closing a resource gap, it's about creating a visible connection between the CWA and support for women and families in Uranquinty and the surrounding area,” he said.

“This kit will not only benefit the Uranquinty Evening Branch but will also be made available for use by other CWA Branches in the Riverina, thereby extending its positive impact.”

CWA Uranquinty Evening Branch President Ms Toni Nugent said the branch is very active in the community and the grant will allow them to have an even greater presence at events.

“We undertake multiple fundraising events throughout the year with proceeds going towards local charities and community projects,” she said.

“Our branch didn't have our own signage or event equipment and had to borrow equipment from other community organisations.

“This prompted us to apply for a grant to purchase a Community Events Kit.”

The kit purchased with the CUP Grant consists of two professionally printed CWA-branded teardrop banners, two pull-up banners and two table covers.

Ms Nugent said the kit will allow the branch to have a vibrant presence at community events to help boost fundraising efforts and attract the next generation of CWA members to ensure the sustainability of the non-profit organisation.

She encourages other community groups to apply in future rounds of CUP Grant funding to increase their capability and capacity to build a thriving Wagga Wagga community.

CUP Grants are divided into five categories – Arts and Culture, Sports Development, Education Development, Health and Wellbeing and Environmental Sustainability.

Applications for the next round of CUP Grants will open in February 2024.