Bunbury Rotary Clubs Help West Aussies Sail Into Life

The Rotary Sail Into Life program in the South West of WA will continue thanks to funding from the Community Participation Funding program.

Rotary Sail Into Life is a community based project that provides opportunity for disadvantaged people to participate in a supported sailing program.

The Rotary Sail Into Life program runs 4 days per week over the sailing season and provides supported sailing sessions for people that are unable to access recreational programs because of disability or socio economic reasons.

Strong partnerships have developed with community groups across the disability support sector and last season over 100 people per week participated in the sailing program.

The Rotary Sail Into Life project Coordinator Sharon Kavanagh said the program aims to build capacity and resilience in the community through promotion of leadership development opportunities, volunteering and providing a community service.

“People are supported to participate in the adventure and thrill of sailing and benefit from the positive outcomes from this experience,” Ms Kavanagh said.

“Our organisation includes of over community 40 volunteers and one paid coordinator and is located at the local Koombana Bay Sailing Club.”

Ms Kavanagh said recent funds have gone towards recruiting and training volunteers to assist with the program.

“Liaising with numerous agencies such as Education support schools, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mental Health groups and disability agencies, it is an ongoing challenge to reduce waitlists and provide a safe, supported, fee free inclusive program for local people with disabilities to access,” Ms Kavanagh said.

“The aim is to build capacity in our community and provide opportunities for those at risk of isolation from the impact of disability, illness and socio economic barriers.

“Our brightly coloured specially designed dinghies are regularly seen by many sailing around the bay most days of the week during the sailing season.”

The three Rotary Clubs of Bunbury initiated the project ten years ago.

Over the past 10 years the TAB has provided more than $30million to the Department of Sport and Recreation to invest in community based programs across WA. One of the various programs The Department of Sport and Recreation directs these funds into is the Community Participation Funding program.

Racing and Wagering WA Chief Executive Officer Richard Burt said the TAB is proud to have been supporting important WA sport programs and organisations alongside the Department of Sport and Recreation.

“The TAB funding supports a range of projects across the State and funds vital sports and recreation representative organisations such as the WA Sports Federation and Parks and Leisure Australia,” Mr Burt said.

“In 2015 the TAB contribution to the Department of Sport and Recreation will total nearly $4.5million.

“Profits from the TAB are helping to ensure the sustainability and growth of our sporting industry for the social and economic benefit of WA.”

$150,000 each year is given from the Sports Wagering Account which to date makes a total of $975,000.

Community Participation Funding is a small grant scheme which provides up to $5,000 towards projects which increase participation in low participation groups in sport and recreation.

Sporting clubs, community groups, other not-for-profit groups and regional local governments are eligible for the funding.

Community TAB