City of Bunbury votes in favour of funding for the South West Clontarf and Newton Moore Girls Academies

The South West Clontarf Academy had originally requested $50,000 in cash contributions from the City over a three year period but this figure was reviewed and amended in May.

In a meeting on Tuesday, June 27, Bunbury City Council tabled a vote to allocate $30,000 to Clontarf because they had not yet had a chance to hear from the Girls Academy.

The Girls Academy, which supports 50 Indigenous female students every year at Newton Moore Senior High School, had requested $30,000 to continue providing activities, trips, awards nights and rewards days for the students.

In a meeting on Tuesday night, council instead accepted a motion to provide Clontarf Foundation and Role Models and Leaders total sums of $15,000 each for use only at the South West Clontarf Academy and Newton Moore Girls Academy respectively.

They also passed executive recommendations to authorise the CEO to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with each organisation for the 2017/18 financial year and to consider any future contributions to either organisation on an annual basis, through council’s budget deliberations.

Mayor Gary Brennan said he knew councillors would get behind supporting two great organisations, although he was hopeful they could allocate both the full $30,000 each.

“Both programs are achieving very positive outcomes making a big difference to the lives of young people who, in many situations, face a real challenge,” he said.

“These programs rely on sponsorship and the City Council is prepared to consider participating in that way for the 2017/18 financial year.

“The City already offers traineeships and work experience and our officers can also offer in kind support, for example use of the South West Sports Centre.”

The proposal will now be included in the City of Bunbury’s annual budget, which is due for adoption in late July.