Seven projects are underway to help make Tasmanian communities safer, more connected and more empowered.

The initiatives are funded by grants of up to $5,000 from Hydro Tasmania’s Community Grant Program.

The CEO of Hydro Tasmania, Steve Davy, said the program is helping not-for-profit organisations make a real difference in Tasmanian communities.

“Hydro Tasmania takes pride in supporting local communities wherever possible – whether by lending a hand to people in need, sharing our skills and expertise, or having our people help out with community activities and events,” Mr Davy said.

“Our employees have a strong community spirit, with more than a quarter of them volunteering in the community each year.

“The new Community Grant Program funds projects that showcase grassroots groups and volunteers working hard in their community, and supports them to achieve great outcomes.

“In its inaugural year, our program received a massive 96 applications from all around Tasmania. That’s a fantastic result, and I encourage community groups with worthy projects to consider applying for our 2018 program,” he said.

Grant applications were assessed by a judging panel of Gerard Flack (Director of Wholesale Energy Services, Hydro Tasmania), Kate Hickey (Community Coordinator, Hydro Tasmania) and Lesley Mackay (General Manager, The Smith Family Tasmania).

The program was designed to award six grants. However, because some applicants didn’t require the full $5,000, Hydro Tasmania was able to award seven grants.

In 2017, Hydro Tasmania awarded community grants to the following recipients:

• Geeveston Community Centre
To support a work-ready program for young people needing help with literacy and numeracy.

• Coast FM in Wynyard
To upgrade broadcasting equipment for the community radio station that connects diverse communities and is a ‘friend’ to many elderly, housebound or marginalised people.

• Rosebery Community House
To buy spinal injury equipment for the Rosebery and Zeehan swimming pools, where lifeguards have all been trained in spinal injury management but haven’t been able to afford this essential equipment.

• Tasmanian Women in Agriculture (TWiA)
To buy registration software for the biennial gathering in Latrobe. The software will ease the workload and help train volunteers for the group that gives a voice to issues affecting rural families.

• Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation
To buy equipment for the annual Mannalargenna Day celebrations at Musselroe Bay, which allows hundreds of people to commemorate the life of an Aboriginal ancestor and learn about the deep historical connection Aboriginal people have with the area.

• Phoenix Community House on King Island
To buy equipment to run a healthy gardening program that teaches locals how to grow their own fresh produce to improve their health. 30 per cent of King Islanders suffer from a chronic illness.

• Longford Men's Shed
To upgrade the car park and improve safety for older or less able people.

Applications for Hydro Tasmania’s 2018 Community Grant Program will open in February and close at the end of March. There’s more information on our website.

Hydro Tasmania actively supports Colony 47, Volunteering Tasmania, The Smith Family and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. It also sponsors a range of community-run events.

The business provides water releases to facilitate local, national and international recreational and sporting events, as well as infrastructure like walking tracks, boat ramps, camping grounds, jetties and pontoons.

Ends.

Released for Hydro Tasmania by Rowan Dix, (03) 62305330 / 0409 722359 / media@hydro.com.au.