Today, Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) announced this year's recipients of grants from the VICT Community Investment Fund. Eighteen not-for-profit or community organisations within the Port Phillip and/or Hobsons Bay communities will be awarded a collective sum of more than quarter of a million dollars to support programs and initiatives focused on young people.  Each organisation will receive grants of up to $20,000, bringing the total amount donated to the community by VICT to more than $1 million dollars since 2014. These contributions will assist with a range of initiatives; from music programs at local schools and assisting educating children from low income families to developing sport and environmental programs. VICT’s CEO Anders Dømmestrup said, “Each year I look forward to announcing the recipients of the Community Investment Fund. This year is particularly exciting for us as it is our first year of operation - giving the communities we support the opportunity to see the world’s most automated container terminal come to life.” “It’s very touching to see we can make a change in people’s lives through our Community Investment Fund. We are very pleased to be contributing once again to a variety of worthwhile causes that will assist young people in our local community” Mr Dømmestrup said. The eighteen successful grant recipients are:
  • Albert Park College
  • Albert Park Yacht Club
  • Altona North Primary School
  • Civic Kindergarten (Preschool Association of Middle Park Inc)
  • Elwood Life Saving Club
  • Fishermen’s Bend Gymnastics Club
  • Friends of Westgate Park
  • Gateway Community Services
  • Life Saving Victoria
  • Middle Park Primary School
  • Port Melbourne Colts Junior Football Club
  • Port Phillip Community Group
  • South Melbourne Life Saving Club
  • South Port Uniting Care
  • Special Olympics Australia and the Port Phillip Specialist School
  • St Kilda Park Primary School
  • Williamstown CYMS Cricket Club
  • Williamstown Football Club
As in previous years, the judging panel deciding who the grant recipients should be comprised community members, this year ten in total with more than half of the panel made up of young people. Each program selected for support is committed to developing health and education in the lives of all young people and the panel were impressed with the diverse nature of initiatives submitted. The announcement comes after VICT partnered with Albert Park College earlier this year to run a Community Day for all locals, offering tours of the terminal, an art exhibition showing student art and a sausage sizzle provided by Port Melbourne Rotary. Mr Dømmestrup said “The Community Investment Fund builds on the success of the Community Day and we are very proud at VICT to be involved with our local communities, supporting one another. We’re tremendously proud of our investments in community initiatives that develop the minds and skills of the younger generation.” VICT’s Community Investment Fund opens annually in March, for more information on the criteria, please visit the guidelines at www.vict.com.au.