Aurora tackles visibility with community grants

The Aurora Group has allocated over $20,000 in funding for gay and lesbian community organisations.

Aurora’s small grants for the 2009/10 period have been awarded to eight organisations working on projects to increase the visibility of the gay and lesbian community. The grants are in addition to the support the organisation already provides for its two main beneficiaries, Twenty10 and the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service.

“The projects we are funding aim to increase community connectedness, particularly for those who are isolated from the more visible parts of our GLBT communities,” company secretary Rob McGrory explained. “These projects will build the capacity of communities and services to address the needs of GLBT people.”

Assistance will be given to Come Out Australia to set up a new branch in rural NSW. The Family Resource & Network Support will receive funding to assist same-sex attracted people with a disability. Twenty-five teachers from the North Coast will receive specialist training, through Family Planning NSW, to combat homophobia in schools. The Regional Youth Support Services will also combat homophobia through support services for schools on the Central Coast.

The Nowra Youth Service will receive money to set up a GLBT literary gathering. The Gender Centre will be able to organise a weekend retreat and information seminar for older transgender clients. ACON will be given support to establish more services for same-sex attracted women.

The recipients were chosen from 17 submissions.

“We are always amazed at the breadth and quality of applications made and the community needs which those applications alert us to,” McGrory said. “These worthwhile needs are what drive us to raise even more funds through our events.”

info: For more information on Aurora or to donate, visit www.auroragroup.com.au