Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper LGFocus.com.au
April 2025
More than books Want a baking tray with that book, or a disco light with that DVD - head to the Lake Macquarie Libraries. Branches throughout Lake Macquarie are extending their catalogues beyond the traditional library inventory, offering dozens of diverse items people might not normally keep in their cupboards or kitchen drawers. Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said that with the rising cost of living biting so many local families, it made sense to launch a new ‘Library of Things’. “Our Library of Things includes items people might have only an occasional use for, or they might want to try before they buy,” she said. “We see it as a solution to forking out hardearned money on something you might only ever use once. That encourages sustainability and reduces the chances of things ending up in landfill after one or two uses.” Ms Hemsley said the collection was growing constantly and already included a range of baking trays and accessories, sports equipment, tools and party hire items like a disco ball, lights, games, smoke machine and a PA system. “They’re all available for borrowing for a four-week period,” she said. Windale Hub Leader Miriam Livesley.
Grants aim high The latest round of grants aimed at enhancing Local Governments’ ability to prevent and respond to hate has been launched by the NSW State Government building on what Sydney’s historic January Conference of Mayors was looking to achieve. The Social Cohesion Grants program for NSW Councils is designed to strengthen Local Government capability to foster connection and belonging within and between communities, as well as build trust in local institutions. Applications for the latest round of grants are now open, with local councils across NSW to share in $500,000 for projects that strengthen social cohesion and deliver stronger and more resilient communities. The grant announcement comes two months after the historic meeting at Bondi Pavillion where Mayors representing more than half the population of Sydney issued a joint statement calling for an end to religious violence as actions of hate and resolving to work together to bring harmony and understanding to bear. The round table was organised by the mayors of Liverpool (Mayor Ned Mannoun), Waverley (Mayor Will Nemesh) and Inner West (Mayor Darcy Byrne), who are Muslim, Jewish, and Christian respectively. Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig
said the impact of the recent hateful events had been felt across the state. “Local governments are at the heart of their communities, and these grants will help councils create meaningful initiatives that foster inclusion and support communities to feel connected,” he said. “Our strength lies in our unity, our respect for one another and our shared commitment to making NSW a safe and welcoming place for all.” Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said the funding will assist with projects to help build community cohesion. “By supporting Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government, we are investing in the future of our state. “These grants will contribute towards protecting our society and supporting the true spirit of our multicultural state.” Councils may apply for between $50,000 and $150,000 to address a social cohesion challenge in their community, with the current round
focused on preventing and responding to the prevalence of hate. Projects should aim to address the impacts of hate, polarisation and the localised impacts from global crises and events that councils are experiencing. In previous rounds, the NSW Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government program has funded projects to build community cohesion in high density residential neighbourhoods, support community centre activations in areas impacted by bushfire, and intercultural community leadership programs. Applications are open until 11:59pm on Friday 28 March and can be made on the grant webpage. Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the meeting in late January could have been called a multicultural event, but really it was an Australian event, “a product of living in is the most successful multicultural society in the world”. January’s Conference of Mayors also welcomed toughening of legislation outlawing eth-
nic vilification at the State and Federal levels but said more needed to be done at the community level. “Mayors are uniquely placed to bring communities together. As our joint statement said, our goal is to create a stronger, safer and more united society where everyone feels respected and valued,” Mayor Mannoun said at the time. “By working together all across Sydney, we can build bridges, foster understanding, and create a stronger, united future no matter your postcode.” The councils agreed to share strategies, initiate programs, organise public events and celebrations and work to create greater understanding between different religious beliefs in their local government areas. “People should concentrate on celebrating the commonalities, taking the time to talk to each other, enjoy each other’s company and – most importantly – stop others from engaging in religious vilification and violence.”