What a Year!
The end of the year is always a good time to reflect on achievements and we couldn’t be more proud of the impact we have had for the Ballarat community in 2022.
At the start of the year, we distributed more than 1050 $50 Back to School vouchers to primary school children in the Ballarat region, including more than 300 vouchers from the Athlete's Foot Ballarat. These vouches ease the financial strain on parents as at the beginning of the school year and were welcomed by many families who benefited from the vouchers.
We distributed $332,000 to community groups and charities in the Ballarat area via our annual grants program, including the inaugural Ballarat Innovation Grant. This $50,000 grant went to Raven Collective, who support women rebuilding after family violence. All these grant recipients will make a positive impact to the people who live in our local area.
Natalie Illingworth, Raven Collection
In June, we announced a new partnership with 3BA 102.3FM to become the steward of the Ballarat Winter and Christmas Appeals, providing a tax deductible and sustainable strategy to ensure the appeals continue to support thousands of Ballarat families.
We were very busy throughout the year with our events, including Dancing with our Stars, Pitch Up Ballarat and Run for a Cause. Dancing with our Stars saw Larna Gull, Randhir Sewgolam, Emily Sweet, Fhil Vella, Ellen Jackson, Ewen Fletcher, Belinda Pilcher, Jack Van Der Heyden and Natalie Dickinson took to the dance floor and collectively raised over $210,000 for the Ballarat community.
Pitch Up Ballarat saw the Ballarat community come together raising $67,000 in support of Eureka Mums Ballarat, Ballarat Men’s Mental Health and the Ballarat Foundation’s Housing Support Fund.
Run for a Cause returned for the first time as a physical event since 2019. Hundreds of dedicated runners descended on Victoria Park on Sunday 20 November for the McGrath 10km event, Showbiz Cinemas 5km event and the Y Kid’s Dash. Over $30,000 was raised for the Ballarat Christmas Appeal.
We are very excited to have secured $1.047 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support the creation of the Ballarat Community Hub in Lydiard St. The building works will commence in 2023 with a vision to create a collaborative impact space for charities and community organisations.
The launch of the 2022 Vital Signs report was a great insight for of where we are as a city and identifies where we want to be going forward. For the Ballarat community, meaningful long-term change will see the indicators identified in the report trend to a more equal, healthy and safe future. As we move into 2023, we can build on this data to include greater local data and make positive changes that will impact the community.
Volunteering was another aspect of the Ballarat Foundation that had many successes. Highlights were the creation of our Grampians consortium which will enable us to assist volunteer organisations throughout central and western Victoria.
Volunteers at the National Volunteer Week morning tea.
2022 marked the biggest year in the history of the L2P Program! The program helped 71 young people obtain their probationary driving licence. This means that these young people will have greater independence and have more work opportunities as a result. We are so very grateful to all our amazing mentors who helped us make this year so successful.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters who helped us make a positive impact in 2022. The people of Ballarat are so generous and giving and it is a privilege to work towards creating a better Ballarat.
We look forward 2023!
