St Marys Diggers & Band Club remains strong in our diligence towards supporting our local charities, organisations and projects that continue to serve our community and need our help. To date, the Club has continued to make substantial cash donations totaling $158,462

COMMUNITY JUNCTION
Community Junction will hold two free National Children’s Week events from Arthur Neave Memorial Hall, Werrington, and North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre, North St Marys. Both events will include a wide range of interactive leisure activities and entertainment for children and their parents to explore, relax and play. Children’s services within the Penrith LGA will be invited to share information about their organisations, enabling parents and carers to connect to local services.

 

WESTCARE
Funding to complete a specialised fit-out of the new WestCare Youth Services Van to provide the new Yes School Breakfast Program at Jamison and Kingswood High Schools, plus ongoing family emergency relief and welfare support through local primary and secondary schools.

OUR COMMUNITY CARES
A High Tea Fundraiser to raise funds to purchase 14 workshops to train nurses and carers in the Penrith LGA on dementia patients and what they see and what sparks their confusion. This can foster empathy in the carers and allow them to change environments to suit the patients, thereby reducing the terror and confusion they experience.

VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION – ST MARYS OUTPPOST SUB
The Association has 18 wellbeing support officers who visit veterans & war widows/ widowers in the Greater Western Sydney area, who are in hospitals, aged care facilities and at home. The 8 ST MARYS DIGGERS & BAND CLUB COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 202 3 -2024 organisation has 8 compensation advocates who assist veterans of all conflicts to apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for their entitlements. In addition, the organisation provides computer training for veterans & members of the local community.

THE HAVEN NEPEAN WOMEN’S SHELTER
The Haven provides up to 3 months supported crisis accommodation for up to 6 women and their children who are at risk of homelessness or are experiencing domestic violence. During their stay, they are provided tailored support and wrap around case work services to best enable them to live a life free of violence and move into transitional or stable housing. There are 6 bedrooms to accommodate a variety of family sizes including large families and a single woman. Families per year = 24..

SOUTH SUDANESE & CALD COMMUNITIES EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
The project will address the welfare and social service needs of the South Sudanese and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in the Penrith LGA. The project aims to deliver culturally appropriate health services, community development programs, and employment assistance activities that will help improve the living standards of low-income and disadvantaged individuals.

LEARNING LINKS

Learning Links psychologists will work at Oxley Park Public School to support local children to achieve sound mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. The psychologists will support up to 39 vulnerable students using evidence-based therapies and programs to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger management and poor social skills which, if left untreated, can leave children feeling disconnected and disengaged with life and learning.

END YOUTH SUICIDE
Suicide is the largest single cause of death for young Australians. Through this project, 80% of youth participants will reduce their suicide risk. Youth research will provide 15 Western Sydney youths access to individual support from a Greater Sydney Social Worker and access to a proven peer-facilitated program. This supports them to unpack trauma and address poor mental health and life challenges. This program supports youth to feel safe and included while improving their future.

GOLDEN OLDIES
Bringing seniors together for a luncheon and entertainment to welcome back to centre and celebrate their anniversary. The Golden Oldies Seniors Group have been meeting at the South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre for over 28 years. There are a total of 35 members, both men and women aged from 80+. This group meets every Thursday for morning tea and various activities such as housie, craft, games, trivia, guest speakers and bus trips.

SOUTH CREEK PROBUS
South Creek Probus is for retired and semi-retired people, meeting once a month, providing the opportunity for isolated and lonely people to socialise.

This project will subsidise the cost of morning tea provided at each monthly meeting as well as subsidising the cost of the room hire and catering for their Christmas function, thereby assisting members at this financially stressful time of year.

ZONTA CLUB OF NEPEAN VALLEY

A festival of art and design in conjunction with Nepean CAPA High School, in its second year, aimed at encouraging artists and students to exhibit their work with the aim of highlighting their extensive talent.

Three secondary school awards and 3 tertiary awards every year to encourage young women to continue in their fields. The three secondary awards are for STEM subjects at Glenmore Park High, Creative Arts at Nepean CAPA High and Girl Showing Initiative & Community Service at St Marys Senior High.

In addition to the above listed organisations, the Clubs has contributed a further $100,850 to support St Marys Pipes & Drums, St Marys Band Club Rangers Football Club, Euchre, Colyton / St Clair Little Athletics, Colyton / St Clair Colts Cricket, St Clair Comets, Toastmasters, Rotary and St Marys Bowlers.