Cash tap closed

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
AN UPPER Yarra program that has seen more than $65,000 contributed to young people making a real difference in the community has come to an end.
The Upper Yarra Youth Foundations project ran for three years, with the final round of grants completed at the end of June.
Young people in the community had to apply for grant funding with ideas for ploughing back the money into the area to benefit the whole community.
The UYYF board was made up of young people living between Wandin and Warburton, who were given the power and responsibility to choose which ideas were to be given the money.
It was supported and funded by the Victorian Government and the Bendigo Bank.
Facilitator Zephlyn Neilson said the program had made a huge difference to the lives of the young people she worked with, and those who received grants.
“They realised they could achieve so much through the local process,” she said.
“It was amazing to be able to meet young people with drive and interest in the local community.
“It taught kids that they could make a difference.”
Ms Neilson said although June saw the final grant round in the current form, she hoped the project may continue.
“The best outcome would be the Bendigo Banks in Warburton, Yarra Junction, Woori, Seville and Wandin will continue to grant the community,” she said.
“It’s not ironic that all the sites were chosen because of the level of disadvantage and barriers.”
The seventh grant round was announced on Friday 17 June at the Woori Yallock Community House, with a packed house of young people, school principals and parents.
Among the grant recipients were a group of students planning a scoot/skate day for young people transitioning from primary school to high school, which will be coming up in September.
A group of young people were given $3000 for music software to teach Millgrove and St Joseph’s Primary School students how to write and record songs.
The Cerini Centre in Warburton was given $750 for kids under the guidance of tradesmen to renovate an old trailor, and $500 was given to the Woori Yallock Farm School to renovate the chicken sheds, which have been built by young people. A percentage of the eggs laid are donated to the school’s breakfast program.