As part of the 2025 Merrifield Community Partnerships Program, MAB and GPC have awarded nine grants to a range of local community projects.

The Merrifield Community Partnerships Program is a community funding initiative for individuals, groups and businesses looking to help meet the needs of the fast-growing and vibrant Merrifield community. The program offers grants ranging from $500 and up to $10,000 across four categories: Culture, Health, Connected and Smart. Since 2017, a total of approximately $400,000 worth of community grants (consisting of 56 individual grants) have been awarded to successful recipients via the program.

This year a diverse range of projects have received funding including; Seniors Art and Craft Program, Junior Active Kids Playgroup, Women’s Wellbeing and Active Living Program and the Merrifield Community Volleyball Initiative.

The program was recently profiled in the Northern Star Weekly (16 February 2026)

The full list of the 2025 Merrifield Community Partnerships Program grant recipients include:

• STEM Holiday Program – This project will engage primary school students (ages 5-12) in environmental science, technology, and biodiversity exploration through experiential learning.
• Junior Active Kids Playgroup – Weekly playgroup that focuses on providing sports and movement to children aged between 18 months and 3 years.
• Merrifield Community Volleyball Initiative – Social volleyball, where the main goal is to encourage fitness, fun, and community connection.
• Senior Art and Craft Program – A 10 week Art & Craft Program for Seniors, that offers participants the chance to explore various the use of materials, tell stories through art, and build community.
• Community Playgroup – Fortnightly group that offers a variety of rich, engaging activities: arts and crafts, storytelling, sensory play, and group games.
• Kids Holiday Program – School holiday initiative designed to engage children aged 4 to 12 in a rich blend of creative, educational, and recreational activities.
• Music, Dance and Storytime Playgroup – Fortnightly group that engages children in musical activities, dance and movement, storytelling, sing-alongs, creative crafts, and games.
• Women Wellbeing and Active Living Program – Community-focused initiative designed to improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of women and families living in Merrifield, and surrounding areas.
• Pasifika Community Connections – Creating a culturally significant art piece that represents the diversity of Gaayip Yagila school community.