$30,000 announced for Community Engagement Grant winners

Four far-reaching community projects were presented with $30,000 worth of grants this week.

UOW’s Community Engagement Grants Scheme (CEGS) is funding the diverse projects, including a book about works and lives of Aboriginal Illawarra and South Coast artists, a project which will provide practical science and environmental education to primary and high school students, the development of an Expert Patient Programme who will be involved in teaching medical students and a short film acknowledging Dharawal Country.

CEGS was introduced in 2005 to encourage and support University projects that work with a community partner and have a clear community benefit. Staff and students of UOW can apply and funding is awarded on a competitive basis.

At the presentation Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Rob Castle said that the calibre of applicants for 2009 was high.

“The panel had a really difficult job of selecting four projects to fund from 25 groups who applied,” he said.

David Morgan Williams spoke at the ceremony as chair of the selection panel, and said being on the panel was an enlightening and rewarding experience. He also gave an update on last year’s CEGS funded projects.

The winning recipients for 2009 will share in a total amount of funding of $30,000 administered by the University’s Office of Community & Partnerships. Close to $200,000 has been awarded to 27 projects since 2005.

Winning projects

Art for Country: contemporary Aboriginal arts from the South Coast: Dr Michael Adams and Mr Garry Jones (Woolyungah Indigenous Centre) with Community Partners Wollongong City Gallery, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change and South Coast Aboriginal organisations and artists.

Developing Ecological Awareness among youth in the Illawarra: Mr Chris McLean, Faculty of Science (PhD Student) Faculty of Science with Community Partners Department of Education and Training Regional office and selected local high schools.

Stage 1 – Health Workers Advisory Committee for an Experts Patient Programme in Clinical Skills Training: Ms Helen Simpson, Ms Isabelle Potter and Ms Jo Otero, Graduate School of Medicine with Community Partners: SESIAHS Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Community Services; Breast Cancer Support Group; MS Society Community Liaison; SESIAHS Multicultural Service

Acknowledgement of Dharawal Country: Mr Jade Kennedy, Ms Susie Pratt, Ms Theresa Hoynes, Faculty of Commerce with Community Partners including the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation; the Illawarra Aboriginal Lands Council and the Southern Aboriginal Community

Last reviewed: 1 October, 2009