(L to R): WBCF Board Director Aisha Nicolay, GWW MD Maree Lang and WBCF GM Kashif Bouns celebrating the inaugural Thriving Communities Strategic sponsorship launch.

Greater Western Water (GWW) has kicked off a three-year sponsorship to bring funding and support to the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Nallei Jerring Koori leadership program.

This is the first Strategic Community Sponsorship selected through Greater Western Water’s Thriving Communities grant and sponsorship program, which funds local projects, events and activities that make our region a great place to live.

The new sponsorship sees GWW provide $75,000 over three years to the Foundation as a support partner of the Nallei Jerring Program.

The Nallei Jerring program offers activities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 13-15 who live in Victoria’s west designed to enhance their cultural knowledge, leadership, teamwork, resilience, communication, support networks and connection to community.

Starting 17 July, the program takes participants through a six-month program of events, workshops and speaker presentations.  

Greater Western Water’s funding will directly contribute to the operating costs of the program, assisting to fund program staff and events.

GWW Managing Director Maree Lang said the WB Community Foundation was the perfect recipient for the first Strategic Community Sponsorship.

“Our organisations are both committed to serving the communities of the west and ensuring we all share a thriving, healthy and exciting place to live,” she said.

“We’re committed to working in respectful partnership with First Nations people and learning from their leadership. Partnering on the Nallei Jerring leadership program is a powerful way to do this.”

Western Bulldogs General Manager of Community and Government Relations Kashif Bouns said the program aims to educate, engage and empower young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants living in the West of Victoria through increasing understanding and connection to community, culture, positive self-identity, and leadership. 

“We’re so grateful for Greater Western Water’s support of our Nallei Jerring program. The West is at its best when we work together, and this partnership is a prime example of that,” he said.

”Both of our organisations are committed to bettering the lives of those in our community and to join forces to continue to provide opportunities for First Nations young people is something we’re really excited about.”

Find out more about how GWW supports our community to thrive and our support of the Nallei Jerring program www.gww.com.au/grants-sponsorships.