News

Local school students and scouts are set to benefit from $10,000 in grant funding from AVID Property Group’s (AVID) newest community, Carolina, located in the heart of Melbourne’s ‘new west’.

AVID Victoria General Manager Peter Vlitas said Deanside Primary School and the Caroline Springs Scout Group would each receive $5,000 from Carolina by AVID Property Group’s inaugural 2022 Sponsorship and Grants Program.

“Carolina by AVID Property Group at Deanside is in the heart of the ‘new west’ – a natural extension of Caroline Springs, which has fast become one of West Melbourne’s most desirable suburbs,” Mr Viltas said.

“It is a privilege to become part of the growing community and to provide groups with welcomed funding to start 2022 after what has been a difficult year due to the pandemic.

“Our annual sponsorship program is a way for us to give back and to support the community, and we are thrilled to launch Carolina’s local sponsorship program by welcoming our newest primary school as well as supporting our local Scouts.”

On behalf of Deanside Primary School, principal Stuart Telford said the funding would be allocated to the community hub and the purchase of school defibrillators.

“As a brand-new school with only 65 students, we are starting small in terms of resourcing and budget allocation so AVID’s sponsorship money goes a long way in establishing us in the Deanside community,” Mr Telford said.

“With construction of new homes ramping up in the area, we expect enrolment numbers to grow substantially and so we are excited to invest funds into our community hub and hopefully host basketball competitions and a range of school and community-based events.

“From the ground up, a key part of developing Deanside Primary School has been the consideration of student safety and this funding will also help us purchase two defibrillators with specialised paediatric pads to have on hand in case of a potential emergency.”

Caroline Springs Scout Group Secretary Nicole Buck said AVID Carolina’s endorsement of $5,000 this year would allow the Scouts Group to invest in five new six-person tents for youth members.

“By upgrading our tents, AVID’s grant will allow our scout members to be accommodated more safely and securely during camping trips,” Ms Buck said.

“Our Scout Group is 100% managed and run by a team of volunteers and due to the constant lockdowns and rules regarding group gatherings, the pandemic has had a major impact on our ability to fundraise.

“AVID’s grant lets us focus on our youth, events and facilities, rather than constantly looking for ways to source money for new equipment.

“Scouts provides an important social space for our youth where they can be exposed to new activities including camping and adventurous activities whilst learning practical life skills like leadership and decision making.

“We are so grateful to be acknowledged by Carolina for the community grants and it just shows us that what we are doing is being appreciated by the local community.”

Three other AVID communities in Victoria – Bloomdale, Hillstowe and Savana – also offered an annual Sponsorship and Grants Program for 2022. The grants represented an investment of more than $60,000 by AVID into the Melbourne economy, including $32,000 in the Melton area.

Over the past eight years, AVID’s Sponsorships and Grants Program across Victoria has provided education on environmental change with Take 3 for the Sea, promoted health and wellness amongst young people through local sport programs, community events and brought school communities together.

The first residents have started moving into Carolina by AVID Property Group. To keep up-to-date, or for more information about the new community, visit www.avid.com.au/carolina