We’re thrilled to share our WesCEF Community Grants recipients for 2025!
This year brought an incredible response from our local Kwinana and Rockingham community, with a 45% increase in submissions from the previous year.
The surge in applications suggests a a high level of community interest in our key initiative areas: Aboriginal community, environment and sustainability and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
The number of applications made our selection process both challenging and inspiring. We focused on projects that addressed multiple initiative areas, but also intended to have deep engagement and impact.
One standout example of this is the creation of a Nocturnal House ‘Kedalak Barnup’ at Rockingham Regional Environment Centre. The Nocturnal House intends to benefit up to 4,000 school students, in addition to tertiary researchers and the general public annually.
This year, WesCEF will award a total of $24,000 to the six groups:
Charthouse Primary School
Funding for a culturally responsive STEAM initiative, which integrates VR and design technologies. The pilot program will teach ecological and environmental science through the lens of Aboriginal stories, art and language.
Gilmore College
Supporting the establishment of a dedicated STEM Centre, providing educational resources and tools for students and teachers to deliver STEM activities and competitions.
Makybe Primary School
Creation of an ‘All Abilities Garden – Caring for Country STEM Project’, through restoring school grounds to make an all-abilities garden and outdoor classroom, integrating traditional Aborginal land management practices.
Ngalla Yorga Waangkan Aboriginal Corporation
Funding new membership uniform shirts and equipment for local Aboriginal women’s group new meeting headquarters. To foster community pride and unity as they celebrate their 10th anniversary and grow their collective.
Polly Farmer Foundation
Supporting their ‘Follow the Dream’ Kwinana after-school program, which invites Aboriginal primary school students to engage in STEM workshops delivered by Scitech.
Rockingham Regional Environment Centre
Funding to establish a Nocturnal House ‘Kedalak Barnup’, featuring displays and educational resources focused on the native environment to foster understanding and preserve our ecological systems.
The majority of these projects are intended to support young people in building their capacity and enriching their education and worldview.
Thanks to all who submitted an application. This year, we received an unprecedented number of applications. Each organisation offers a valuable service to the community, and we’re pleased to see an interest in the areas we are committed to supporting.
We encourage all community minded organisations to keep in touch and apply when our WesCEF Community Grants FY26 round opens.