Grants help community grow
Published in Northern Star Weekly, 3 September 2021 

Pictured: Some of the Merrifield Community Grants recipients (photo by Damjan Janevski)

A nature-based playgroup, a school kitchen garden and a fun run club are among 10 community projects to receive a funding boost from the developers of Mickleham’s Merrifield estate.

The funding was awarded to community groups as part of the Merrifield Community Partnership Program which aims to meet the needs of the fast-growing Merrifield community.

The grants, which are in their third year, provided groups with between $500 and $10,000.

The successful initiatives were selected by a review committee, including representatives from Hume council and developers MAB Corporation.

Merrifield Community and Stakeholder Engagement Manager Tennille Bradley-Ow said many of the projects were dedicated to nurturing and growing the health and wellbeing of the Merrifield community.

“This year we saw the rise of some very exciting programs to support the thriving Merrifield community. From grassroots groups to major sporting clubs and key community services, it’s fantastic to see the wonderful initiatives coming from within our local community,” she said.

“This year, we had a specific focus on supporting opportunities to encourage community engagement and support the activation of the largest community centre within the City of Hume that is currently under construction and the new 9.5 hectare sports reserve, scheduled to be opened later this year in Merrifield.”