Victorian seniors in Dandenong will be further encouraged to get involved and stay active in their communities, with the announcements of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Seniors Grants from the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, today announced the following organisations have received funding to support a range of activities that will engage seniors from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Serbian Community Association of Australia
• Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria
• Arabic Women Seniors Group
• The Mauritian Golden Age Club
• Tamil Womens Group Dandenong
• Dandenong Neighbourhood House

The funding provided will support these local community groups to provide seniors opportunities to socialise and establish friendships in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable. They will also help identify isolated seniors to involve them in activities including regular telephone contact, visits, meetings and excursions.

The Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Seniors Grants program awarded 54 grants, worth $304,000, to local community and multicultural organisations across the state to support people at risk of isolation. The grants are going to organisations representing 50 different cultural groups across the state, ranging from the Cook Islands to India, Serbia and the Horn of Africa.

The funded organisations will be supported by the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria to get their projects up and running.