An article from Robert Fava, Rotary Club of WerribeeNow in its third year, Werribee Rotary's grants programme has awarded seven community groups $3,000 each, recognising local organisations making a real difference across Wyndham.
The grants recognise community groups delivering practical, hands-on impact across the region. This year’s recipients represent a broad mix of services, from family support and youth wellbeing to cultural inclusion and community safety.
At the event presentation, Werribee Rotary President Lyn Fava commented that the evening was “a celebration of real people doing real work”, noting that the program was originally founded by Past President Robert Fava, whose vision was to give smaller organisations the chance to grow and thrive.
The community grants recipients are celebrated at the club’s presentation night. The celebration drew a strong turnout, including Wyndham Councillors Peter Maynard, Robert Szatkowski and Jasmine Hill, along with guest speaker Inspector Rachael Van Someren from Victoria Police. The atmosphere was warm, proud and full of energy — a reminder that community spirit is alive and well in Wyndham.
For the successful recipients, the grants will directly support programs that often run on shoestring budgets. Past recipients have used their grants to fund equipment, expand outreach, support vulnerable families, and build capacity at a time when grassroots organisations are under increasing pressure.
The Community Grants program reflects Rotary’s long-standing ethos of giving a “hand up, not a handout”, and continues to grow as one of the club’s most anticipated annual events. With strong demand again this year, Werribee Rotary says it looks forward to continuing this program — helping more local groups turn big hearts and small budgets.
President Lyn Fava of Rotary Club or Werribee with grant recipients
President Lyn with more “big cheques”