SOUTHERN PORTS has donated $300,000 to support local organisations in Albany, Bunbury and Esperance and is now calling for a new round of applications.

Over the past year 41 Great Southern events and projects have been supported as part of the program that operates across the three Southern Ports’ regions.

Projects being supported in the Great Southern include Green Skills Balijup Eco Sanctuary and William Bay National Parks Association (WBNPA).

Southern Ports regional manager – Albany, Paul McSweeney, said the Community Investment Program continued to be popular in the Great Southern and he’s proud to back local organisations, especially in the sustainability space.

“We know in our community that there are many volunteers and grass roots organisations achieving wonderful outcomes just like William Bay National Parks Association with their revegetation program and Green Skills at the Balijup Eco Sanctuary,” Mr McSweeney said.

The National Parks Association was provided with $4,000 to buy materials and equipment to support the planting of 1,500 plants over winter.

Green Skills’ Balijup Community Environmental Engagement Program offers a host of eco learning activities at the Balijup Eco Sanctuary during its upcoming community education program thanks to Southern Ports’ Community Investment Program.

The Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club (EGSLSC) will see the installation of equipment storage at the club in its latest round of community investment funding from Southern Ports.

EGSLSC president Kelly Buttle said the growth of the club necessitated new infrastructure and illustrated how important the surf life saving club was to the community.

Over the past year 50 Goldfields-Esperance events and projects have been supported as part of the investment program and 42 projects in the south west.

In Bunbury funding has gone to a program for youth mental health group Blue Leaf Initiative.

Coordinator Bec McLevie said the Mental Health Forum will talk directly to young people about the importance of resilience, mental wellbeing, and connection to community.

“We hope that by sune tpporting young people to connect with each other and with local services, we can encourage early intervention and prevent suicide,” said Ms McLevie.

Applications for the next round of the funding closes Friday 5 July. For more information or to apply visit southernports.com.au