- Almost $560,000 in grants awarded to 14 community groups and projects
- Unclaimed gaming and wagering winnings used to help reduce gambling harm
- Sporting, cultural and other community activities, events and projects supported
Three organisations dealing with gambling harm are among 14 community projects in Western Australia that have received financial support via a Cook Government fund of unclaimed winnings from casino gaming and wagering.
The list of successful applicants was announced by Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia and includes Cyrenian House, The Multicultural Communities Council of WA Inc., and the Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation in Fitzroy Crossing, that offer or plan to offer gambling harm reduction education, research or support programs to their various communities.
Other recipients include not-for-profit and charitable organisations, sporting clubs, Aboriginal corporations, and infrastructure development projects, operating across WA.
Establishing disability facilities, encouraging community participation, supporting recreational and cultural events, and improving people's mental and physical wellbeing are just a few benefits that will be derived from the funding.
A total of $558,681 in grants from the Gaming Community Trust (GCT) will be shared, with individual amounts ranging from $20,000 to a maximum of $50,000.
The GCT grants were awarded in five categories: community culture; disability inclusion; community sports engagement; Aboriginal promotion; and gambling harm reduction.
More information about the GCT is available on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website.
As stated by Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia:
"These funds support many admirable community organisations and projects in WA.
"Recipients will use the grants to help vulnerable or disadvantaged people in need, enrich cultural connections, promote sporting and other community activities and finance infrastructure development.
"The Gaming Community Trust grant program attracts a lot of interest from not-for-profit groups throughout WA with a total of 148 applications in 2023 - 14 of them being successful.
"It's satisfying to see the money that gamblers failed to collect is now being used to help people overcome their gambling problems, while also supporting a diverse range of other worthwhile community-based initiatives."
Gaming Community Trust grants recipients 2023
- 360 Health and Community Ltd Health and wellbeing program for Aboriginal people $49,500
- Befriend Inc. Support for project that empowers young people to connect to self and the community $35,930
- Cyrenian House Gambling harm reduction programs $50,000
- FolkWorld Inc. Promotion of Bindjareb Noongar Aboriginal culture at FolkWorld Fairbridge Festival 2024 $49,900
- Jungarni Jutiya Indigenous Corporation Provide food and water to vulnerable people in Halls Creek during night patrol activities $20,800
- Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation Gambling harm research in Fitzroy Crossing community $49,947
- Mayanup Progress Association Inc Purchase and installation of disabled ablution block, including ramp access and signage $22,685
- Mingenew Hockey Club Installation of disabled-access toilets at club $49,861
- Perth African Nations Sports Association Inc Support for project to improve mental health through sports participation $45,323
- Rockingham Cambio Cumbre Futsal Club Incorporated Support for "Cambio Community Sports Expo" event to promote sports participation $28,500
- Soul Gestures Incorporated Production/screening of documentary about achievements of people living with disability $48,000
- Swan City Youth Service Inc Support for program that helps young Aboriginal men take positive pathways in life $21,225
- The Multicultural Communities Council of WA Inc Development and translation of gambling harm reduction support resources $37,550
- Western Australia Tennis Association Inc Deliver a tennis participation program to Aboriginal communities in the East Kimberley $49,460
Total $558,681
