Local groups have extolled the virtues of Port of Newcastle’s hugely-successful Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program.

A diverse range of organisations – including Friends of School Master’s House Ash Island, Jenny’s Place, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Go Circular, Newcastle Men’s Shed, Hunter Wetlands Centre, On a Floating World, Stockton Historical Society, Curious Legends, Hunter Hurricanes, Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Newcastle Rowing Club and Stockton Community Group – were recently given a helping hand, courtesy of the initiative.

The Your Port, Our Community sponsorship program is in addition to the more than $1 million the Port of Newcastle provides annually to the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund, which is administered by the NSW Government.

Newcastle Men’s Shed representative Wayne Grant led the praise.

“The port’s support for our local high schools mentoring program will encourage and engage students in STEM career pathways through the purchase of fifth-generation 3D printing technology,” he said.

“Through this initiative we aim to provide pupils with a wider outlook on their capabilities.

“We’re encouraging them to aspire to future STEM opportunities in education, employment and career pathways by applying these skills in achievable employment pathways; for example, those industries that use CNC machines.”

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club Sailing Academy manager Jacqueline Ellis said the donation enabled them to upgrade life jackets and other gear for the learn to sail program.

“We are so thankful to Port of Newcastle to assist us in purchasing the equipment for our Little initiative,” she stated.

“We have had so many kids come through our fun courses that our jackets have had many, many hours of use.

“Our Little Tackers learn to sail program encourages more children to get out on the beautiful Newcastle Harbour and give sailing a try.”

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said they had received a record number of applications for funding support.

“I believe that’s indicative of the needs and financial pressure that’s on local organisations helping our community and supporting our environment,” he explained.

“Thirteen truly amazing groups were chosen as the worthy recipients of more than $85,000 from the Your Port, Our Community donations funding pool, with the money assisting projects and initiatives they otherwise could not fund.

“The donations give these organisations some certainty that they can continue their life-changing educational and advocacy work within our community in 2022 and beyond.”

The 13 organisations supported through the latest Your Port, Our Community Sponsorship Program funding were:

• Friends of School Master’s House Ash Island: for the Ash Island Revegetation Program
• Jenny’s Place Domestic Violence Service: for critical building and service improvement works
• Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council: to support the Hunter Estuary Wetlands mangrove removal program
• Go Circular: to support the establishment of a circular economy youth development and education program
• Newcastle Men’s Shed: to fund a 3D printer for a high school STEM mentoring program
• Hunter Wetlands Centre: to fund educational signage for its Bush Tucker Garden
• On a Floating World: to support an education and event series about Newcastle’s coastline and waterways
• Stockton Historical Society: to fund a historical signage project in Stockton
• Curious Legends: to fund family targeted theatre performances and workshops highlighting trash and sustainability issues and impacts
• Hunter Hurricanes: to support the Australian Water Polo League competition in Newcastle
• Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club: to fund lifejackets and equipment for the Little Tackers learn to sail program
• Newcastle Rowing Club: to fund the course survey for the annual regatta
• Stockton Community Group: to fund a portable data projector for local community meetings

Community groups and organisations interested in the next round of funding can do so by contacting the team at [email protected]

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