COMMUNITY gardens, social impact programs, and environmental education projects are among 18 local initiatives sharing nearly $180,000 through Yarra Valley Water’s 2026 Community Grants Program, with Whittlesea-based projects among this year’s successful recipients.
Now in its second year, the program supports community organisations, schools and local groups to deliver projects that use water wisely, strengthen communities and care for the environment.
Recipients from Whittlesea will deliver projects ranging from water-saving initiatives and environmental education to programs that support community wellbeing, helping create lasting local benefits across Melbourne’s north.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Natalie Foeng said the program demonstrates the powerful role local organisations play in delivering lasting benefits for community and the environment.
“The response to this year’s grants program showed just how passionate local communities are about creating positive change,” she said.
Whittlesea recipient, Boots For All, will use its $15,000 grant to install a closed-loop wash system that will help clean and prepare up to 10,000 pairs of reusable sports shoes while saving more than 150,000 litres of water each year.
“We’re incredibly grateful to receive this support from Yarra Valley Water. This funding will enable us to install a closed-loop wash system by Washbox Global that significantly reduces the amount of water we use while allowing us to prepare thousands more pairs of sports shoes for people who need them,” Boots For All CEO, Joanne Rockwell, said.
“This project will help us keep more shoes out of landfill, reduce our environmental footprint and ensure more people can access sports shoes.”
Other Whittlesea recipients who will use the funding to deliver a range of projects include Donnybrook Primary School, who will provide a project that helps students learn about sustainable water use and environmental stewardship, and Sikh Community Connections Inc, which will deliver a community initiative focused on sustainability and community wellbeing.
