Fifty-one organisations will receive grant funding in 2024-2025 for community projects and research into people’s sense of community.

Sixteen of the successful grants will be used in regional areas, stretching from the Iron Triangle and the mid-North to the South-East of South Australia.

Six local governments – Alexandrina Council, City of Mount Gambier, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, City of Campbelltown, City of Charles Sturt, and City of Onkaparinga will receive Age Friendly SA grant funding totalling $200,200.

Positive Ageing Fellowship Grants worth just over $190,000 have been awarded to five recipients – Aboriginal Community Housing, Dementia Doulas, Catalyst Foundation partnering with the South Australian Retirement Villages Association, Uniting Care Wesley Bowden, and Thorne Harbour Health.

Grants for Seniors totalling nearly $210,000 will be made to 37 organisations across metropolitan and regional South Australia for goods and projects. Clubs and associations have been funded to purchase items ranging from computer equipment, bridge sets, and bowls mats to a public address system and Spanish cooking and games equipment.

Funded Grants for Seniors projects include Berri Barmera Landcare’s series of eight environmental walks and talks during South Australia’s Week of Ageing Well; Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Hub’s Social Seniors Program for locals to connect and learn something new; and the Maltese Aged Care Association (SA)’s Grant intergenerational storytelling initiative to share life stories and cultural heritage, especially from older Maltese and multicultural community members.

And three groups of researchers will share in just under $200,000 in Impact Research Grants for Ageing Well, including Flinders University which will use $100,000 to research the impact of a 12-month walking football program for men aged 55+ in the Limestone Coast. Find out more at: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/communitygrants.