Community groups receive helping hand from Moving Communities Fund

• Incredible response to first ever round of Kinetic’s new community grants program 
• More than 200 applications received for the Moving Communities Fund program, which provides grants of up to $10,000
• 18 organisations have been awarded grants across Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia

Peer-led program for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, Left Write Hook, and educational institute for children and young people, Children’s University of Tasmania, are among 18 organisations across Australia to benefit from Kinetic’s new Moving Communities Fund.

The leading Australasian bus operator launched the twice-yearly Moving Communities Fund to support local organisations and not-for-profits that improve the livelihoods of the communities in which it operates.

The program attracted more than 200 applications from across Australia in just four weeks, reflecting an incredible array of worthy initiatives and projects.

Recipients will use financial and in-kind support to continue or expand their services and initiatives throughout their local communities in areas including domestic violence, poverty and homelessness, education, sports and emergency services.

Melbourne-based Left Write Hook provides a research-informed boxing and writing workshop designed to empower adult survivors of child sexual abuse and complex trauma.

Left Write Hook CEO Donna Lyon said the grant will fund the full delivery of the workshop for 10 survivors.

“We’re just absolutely thrilled to have the support of Kinetic because it means we can run a program that most effectively supports victim survivors,” Ms Lyon said. 

“We see incredible transformations in each of our participants and it's such a privilege to support them through this growth journey.” 

The Children’s University of Tasmania works with schools and the community to connect children and young people with learning beyond the classroom. It will benefit from transport support to activities and destinations such as museums, art galleries, and university open days, providing learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

Manager Georgia Sutton said transport was a common obstacle that families experienced when seeking education for their children.

“The in-kind support provided by Kinetic will help us provide children and their families with access to new and different learning experiences to help them grow and expand their horizons,” Ms Sutton said. 

Kinetic Group CEO Michael Sewards congratulated the many organisations making a real difference in communities. 

“Our mission is to improve the livelihoods of the communities in which we live and operate and establishing the Moving Communities Fund is one of the many important ways we seek to do this in a meaningful and tangible way,” he said. 

“We were blown away by the response to the initiative and we can’t wait to follow the progress of recipients and build upon the program as we plan for further rounds in 2025.”

Kinetic’s Head of Sustainability and Community Engagement Angela Leung said successful applicants represent a diverse range of interests.

“From sporting clubs and volunteer groups hailing from places like Gladstone through to Perth, it is fantastic to see such a broad variety of positive community impacts being delivered by organisations right across the country,” she said. 

“The successful applicants all demonstrated a commitment to the values shared by Kinetic and many were referred by our team members and our customers. While we sadly couldn’t support everyone this time, we strongly encourage organisations to apply at our future funding rounds.” 

To find out more about the Moving Communities Fund, visit wearekinetic.com/community. Follow Kinetic on LinkedIn to keep up-to-date with Kinetic’s community engagement and partnership activities. 

Congratulations to the 2024 Moving Communities Fund recipients:

• Big Group Hug, VIC – to support the distribution of essential items for families experiencing poverty and disadvantage across Melbourne.
• Children’s University Tasmania, TAS – to help students and families access learning opportunities and activities across the state.
• Fitzgerald State School, QLD – to enable primary school students to participate in vital water safety and swimming programs with transport support.
• For Change Co., VIC – to drive their Pathways For Change program, empowering young people to create their own pathway out of homelessness. 
• Fierce Females, QLD – funding to deliver a 10-class course for teen girls focused on building safety skills, emotional resilience, healthy relationships and positive conflict resolution.
• Gladstone Australian Football Club, QLD – enabling players to participate in away matches, finals and training sessions, encouraging inclusivity and fostering teamwork.
• Karinya Youth Services Tasmania, TAS – to help young people access essential items including medical assistance, ID documentation, and clothing and hygiene products.
• Left Write Hook, VIC – to support 10 participants in their flagship program that empowers and supports adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma.
• Magpies Mackay Australian Football Club, QLD – to fund new footballs and essential medical supplies, supporting health, fitness and community spirit through sport.
• North West Umpires Association, TAS – to commission a local First Nations artist to design a NAIDOC round uniform.
• PCYC Cairns, QLD – supporting their Rise Up, Be Yourself program which empowers women impacted by domestic and family violence through physical exercise, companionship and connection to community supports. 
• Rainbow on the Reef, QLD – supporting the local LGBTQIA+ community to attend Pride events, helping to create meaningful connections and community inclusion.
• Roxby Downs State Emergency Service, SA – funding the replacement of a fridge to store food and water, ensuring essential supplies are readily available.
• Special Olympics Bundaberg, QLD – to provide athletes with transport to attend inter-club competitions in South-East and Central Queensland.
• Team Connect, WA – supporting teenage girls from eight schools across Perth with transport assistance, enabling them to build connections to school and community through cricket, while reducing social isolation for those experiencing disadvantage.
• Tweed Coolangatta Australian Rules Football Club, NSW – supporting the club with new gender-specific uniforms for female athletes, empowering participation and celebrating inclusivity in sport.
• University of Western Australia Rugby Football Club Women’s Team, WA – to support coaching, strength and conditioning programs to develop the women’s team and to build on the success of the Pride Round initiative, the only one of its kind in WA Rugby.
• West Coast Men’s and Mixed Netball Association, WA – to help athletes and staff of the WA state teams attend 2025 national competitions in Melbourne.

Further enquiries

Stephanie Makin
Manager - Media & Communications
0438 462 380
stephanie.makin@wearekinetic.com