2025 Kimberley Community Grants Scheme
Nearly $80,000 in grants to support Kimberley communities
Fourteen not-for-profits and schools in Kimberley will receive funding for local projects this year through Water Corporation’s Kimberley Community Grants Scheme. Each year, not-for-profit organisations, schools, and community groups across the Kimberley can apply for grants up to $10,000 for projects that uplift, empower, and connect regional and remote communities.
Last week, at events in Broome and Kununurra, Water Corporation and the Lions Club of Broome announced nearly $80,000 in grants. Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has provided over $745,000 in funding to support 132 grassroots initiatives.
About the Kimberley Community Grants Scheme
Created in partnership with the Lions Club of Broome, this initiative is funded by sales of Rhodes grass hay. The hay is grown using recycled water from the Broome North Water Resource Recovery Facility, creating an environmentally-friendly circular economy for community benefit. This method makes water reuse a smart community investment.
This year's projects highlight the region's vibrant spirit. Initiatives include murals, music, bush food gardens, and hygiene upgrades. These projects highlight the passion, creativity and commitment that makes Kimberley communities so unique.
A glance at the 2025 grant recipients
This year’s $79,822 in funding will support:
- Ewin Early Learning Centre, Kununurra: $4,604 to set up outdoor hand-washing stations that promote better hygiene habits.
- Judo Broome (Broome): $5,000 to set up a Judo club and build a lively martial arts community.
- Enterprise Partnerships WA, Lombadina: $5,000 for a three-day camp and workshop series for First Nations women in the Kimberley.
- Kununurra Race Club: $10,000 to buy marquees and fencing. This will offer shade and create safe, fenced areas at community events.
- Broome Town Band: $3,416 for fitting out a new rehearsal space,. as well as new uniforms and music scores.
- Fitzroy Valley District High School (Fitzroy Crossing): $5,000 for a student-led multimedia exhibition highlighting the cultural and ecological importance of the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River).
- Broome Historical Society: $3,839 for installing solar panels on its State Heritage-listed site. This will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Broome Senior High School P&C Association Inc: $2,600 for a mural on the gym's exterior that showcases the school’s cultural diversity through sport.
- East Kimberley College P&C Association Inc, Kununurra: $6,238.38 for expanding school canteen services and providing healthier food options.
- Wangki Yupurnanupurru Radio (Fitzroy Valley): $10,000 for studio upgrades to enhance broadcast reliability and accessibility throughout the valley.
- Backroom Press Inc: $5,000 for a Q&A session and a creative writing workshop aimed at local emerging writers.
- Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation (Wyndham): $10,000 for building a greenhouse and vegetable garden. This will provide traineeships in horticulture and sustainable agriculture
- Kangaroo Haven: $4,125 for road upgrades, ensuring community access to the wildlife sanctuary all year round.
- St Mary’s College Broome: $5,000 to set up a garden with edible and native bush foods. This will help students learn about sustainable food production through hands-on experience.
Community impact to date
The projects have made a positive difference to communities across the region. The Grants Scheme is designed to create opportunities for people in the Kimberley. Local communities and individuals join forces to create valuable initiatives. These efforts foster creativity, innovation, and well-being.
“At its heart, this grants scheme is about supporting the people who know their communities best. These are grassroots projects driven by locals, for locals, and it's a privilege to help bring them to life.” said the Hon. Don Punch, Minister for Water.
Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna added "These initiatives truly enhance our Kimberley communities, and my gratitude goes out to Water Corporation for their unwavering support."