Tara Murray
A local group which provides scholarships to young people is among those seeking funding in Brimbank council’s budget.
A representative from Western Chances was one of nine people to present to councillors at last week’s budget committee meeting.
Western Chances chief executive Zac Lewis said the group was hoping the council would contribute $30,000 over three years to help provide scholarships to young people in the municipality.
Western Chances provides scholarships to young people in six municipalities, with each recipient supported on their educational journey for as long as they remain eligible.
Mr Lewis said their aim was to try and provide pathways for students through their secondary years and then either into a tertiary study or skills based, TAFE based pathways.
“At our heart is about empowering young people,” he said.
“Brimbank is our largest catchment of students. Forty nine percent of our scholarship students reside in Brimbank, each year we fund students for small items that will have a big impact.
“Last year we funded about 770 students and 367 were from Brimbank, we have seen a really big need in Brimbank.
“We assist students with things like textbooks, public transport and Myki and home internet, those basic resources they need to do their education.”
Mr Lewis said they had already seen a 10 per cent increase this year in young people seeking scholarships following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the scholarships were even more important than ever, with young people being hit hard by the pandemic.
“Melbourne’s west was the epicentre of COVID throughout last year,” he said. “It has had such a large flow on effect on employment, especially youth employment
“We know skills are more important than ever.”
Mr Lewis said they had approached all six western suburbs councils to provide some funding, with many people who would normally contribute unable to due to the impacts of COVID-19.
He said any money contributed by a council would go to students who live in that municipality.
“We think that is a small investment,” he said.
“Over the last three years, we’ve invested over a $1 million in the city of Brimbank, to fund scholarships of students in secondary and tertiary.
“There’s the belief and confidence they gain from having an organisation support them and we would love to partner with the council to help continue to do that.”
Other groups seeking money in the budget include U3A Brimbank, Friends of the McKay Gardens, Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House, Friends of Sydenham Park and the Brimbank Bicycle Centre.
