Canon Oceania recognised seven projects in the environment, education and community sectors across Australia and New Zealand in its $30,000 Canon Grants Program for 2019.
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| Canon grant winner Elonera Montessori Robotics |
Australia’s four winning projects help disadvantaged women find work, promote STEM education and opportunities for children, protect imperilled species and conserve healthy ecosystems, and help community members better understand nutritious food.
After the public cast more than 5000 votes for 2019 finalists across the Oceania region, Canon awarded over $30,000 worth of grants for both equipment and funding. In the 13 years since the program launched, Canon has offered almost $400,000 in grants to over 75 schools and not-for-profit groups.
Winners - $5,000 grant each ($4,000 worth of Canon products and $1,000 cash)
COMMUNITY: Fitted for Work (VIC / NSW) – Fitted for Work helps women experiencing disadvantage find and keep work, providing employment services in NSW and VIC to those who have survived circumstances like domestic violence or homelessness. The grant will supply equipment for virtually fitting clients with work-appropriate clothes and accessories.
“Canon's support will help Fitted for Work deliver resume assistance, interview preparation and personal outfitting services to women from rural and regional areas, or with physical accessibility barriers, including health issues and caring responsibilities,” said Caitlin Mountford, Fitted for Work’s Marketing and Communications Manager. “We believe that when a woman is fitted for work, she is fitted for life.”
ENVIRONMENT: Aussie Ark (NSW) – Aussie Ark is a registered environmental organisation focused on protecting imperilled species and conserving healthy ecosystems. They operate NSW wildlife sanctuaries that protect native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. The Grant will enable staff to keep tabs on the health of sanctuary wildlife and natural breeding from a distance.
“So much of our vital work relies on educating people about our beautiful and unique wildlife, and this amazing new equipment will ensure we can do this,” said Aussie Ark’s curator, Liz Gabriel.
EDUCATION: Elonera Montessori Robotics (NSW) – Elonera Montessori Robotics is passionate about promoting STEM education and opportunities, especially among groups with a history of underrepresentation or marginalisation. The grant will provide equipment that facilitates a series of free, hands-on robotics sessions for children and young adults who are refugees and/or living with disability.
“The Canon Grant will provide camera equipment, a projector and printer to help support community outreach activities delivering and recording robotics lessons for students with disabilities as well as running workshops for refugee families,” said Elonera Montessori School’s Head, Sabine Adigun. “We believe that robotics can offer students fun and engaging opportunities to feel connected, fostering a sense of belonging.”
RUNNER UP - $1,000 grant (of Canon products)
ENVIRONMENT: Food is Free (VIC) – Food is Free offers the Ballarat community anonymous access to fresh vegetables and fruits, along with materials, seeds and education to help others grow their own food. The Grant will support a plant identification system for its 40 garden beds, helping visitors and others in the community understand and address food security issues.
“A new Canon camera will equip us with the professional capability to take photos that really pop, of all of our plants grown at our Green Space, which we will turn into Plant ID signage for our garden beds to educate our visitors on growing tips, companion planting ideas, and recipes in our quest to eliminate food security issues in our town,” said Food Is Free director Lou Risdale. “Our 40 volunteers work hard to fill our garden beds to specifically target those who are marginalised and at-risk in our community. We know education is the key to breaking these cycles, to give our visitors the knowledge to do it themselves, and empower them for greener living.”
In New Zealand, Everyone is a Treasure won the Community Grant, while Project Blue won in the Environment Grant and Kids Greening Taupō took home the Education Grant – each worth $5,000. Their three winning projects assist students in conserving native flora and fauna, educate businesses and consumers about sustainability and support the next generation of Kiwi artists.
“Every year we at Canon are inspired by the breadth of organisations looking to make a positive contribution to our society and environment,” said Dave Yoshida, MD, Canon Oceania. “At Canon, we’re passionate about Kyosei, which means ‘living and working together for the common good’, and it’s why we’re so proud to support these organisations and provide them with the tools they need to further their causes. We can’t wait to see how this year’s winners use their Grants to truly make a positive difference to their communities and our environment.”
Previous Grant winners have gone on to make positive changes via their projects: reducing plastic pollution from coastal waterways and beaches, helping students understand the impact of species decline and building the photography and life-skills of young children. The 2018 Community winner, Big Fat Smile, developed a program delivered through its after-school clubs that has provided photography lessons to over 100 children.
In the 13 years since the program launched, Canon has offered almost $400,000 in grants to over 75 schools and not-for-profit groups to help them maximise their impact on the environment, education and society.
For more information, please visit: www.canon.com.au/grants
