A ceremony was held at Workers Blacktown with Category 1 ClubGRANTS recipient organisations, the Blacktown Local Committee, Blacktown City Council and Workers Lifestyle Group directors.
Workers Lifestyle Group Chief Executive Officer Morgan Stewart said: “Community engagement and community building have been at the core of Workers Lifestyle Group’s mission since its formation as Blacktown Workers Club.”
All recipients obtaining funding through Workers ClubGRANTS distribution are engaged in local community activities.
“Our team engages at all levels of the ClubsGRANTS process,” Morgan said.
“In liaison with Blacktown City Council we make proposals to the Blacktown Local Committee and we participate in committee deliberations. We also assist groups seeking grants, particularly smaller organisations, to define and present their applications.
“We take a whole of community approach to developing Blacktown's public amenity, health and well-being.
"This year, we are pleased to give support to ease disadvantage across a broad spectrum of need as well as bring substantial community benefits to Blacktown and Western Sydney,” he said.
In late 2022 Workers Lifestyle Group committed to a $500,000 five-year program for early detection of type 2 diabetes (a significant health problem in Western Sydney) and promoting lifestyle changes that prevent its onset. The funding for the 2kg Challenge to beat diabetes is part of that program.
The previous year, WLG directors resolved to distribute $500,000 over five years to groups working to combat Domestic and Family Violence and assist the recovery of victims in the Blacktown and surrounding districts. Blacktown Women's and Girls’ Health Centre is a key program partner of that commitment.
The cost of living crisis is hitting all parts of the country and Blacktown is not immune. Many of the ClubGRANTS recipients have community initiatives to help families make ends meet.
The Workers Lifestyle Group clubs and their 61,000 members and staff help sustain more than 100 community organisations, charities, schools and sporting groups and the estimated value of its annual contribution is $2.8 million in facilities, in-kind support and grants, donations and sponsorships.