The 2024 Highways and Byways Small Grants Program, an initiative of the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) is open for applications, with the focus theme of ‘Valuing Community Connections in an Ancient Land’.

Highways and Byways continues the work of the Missionary Sisters of Service, reaching out in hope and love to people socially and geographically isolated, strengthening community relationships and networks, developing leadership and empowering people to meet the challenges that confront them.

“Since 1944 the MSS have travelled vast distances to reach people in all kinds of places and situations, and support those on the margins: geographically, culturally, spiritually, socially and economically,” the Highways and Byways website says.

“Each year we provide small grants to community-led organisations for projects that address disadvantage and exclusion within towns and communities, especially in rural and regional Australia.”

The grants are already creating positive change, with communities benefiting from putting the grant to work.

In Wadeye, a remote outback town south-west of Darwin, there is a patch of land that, thanks to the Highways and Byways Community Grant, is starting to look pretty good.

*The area around the Thamarrurr Men’s Shed in Wadeye, NT, is being cleaned up with the help of equipment funded by the Highways and Byways Small Grants Program. PHOTO: Highways and Byways website.*

Two years of weeds, abandoned car parts and town rubbish is disappearing. Slowly, the Thamarrurr Men’s Shed is re-emerging thanks to young men working off their court-ordered community service hours. The project uses whipper snippers and lawn mowers bought with a grant from Highways and Byways. It’s an investment that is paying huge dividends according to Men’s Shed coordinator Peter Zambellakis.

“The equipment had been lost, stolen or broken and nothing much had happened for a couple of years so the place looked a mess. We are slowly cleaning it up and making the place a bit more welcoming and then we will start on neighbouring blocks so the machinery will be getting a lot of use,” Peter said.

In 2024, Highways and Byways are offering grants up to $4,000 for projects that advance the program theme of ‘Valuing Community Connections in an Ancient Land’.

Community organisations can apply for grants up to $4,000 for:

Projects that recognise the wisdom and cultural identity of our First Nation’s peoples, and provide opportunities to protect and celebrate Indigenous identity and cultural connections, particularly through sharing knowledge, skills, or stories.
Projects with an ecological and environmental focus – that encourage rehabilitation and restoration, and encourage the intergenerational sharing of knowledge and skills for the sustainable or regenerative management of the land.
Community-focused projects – that encourage community connections and partnerships, build strong and resilient communities, alleviate isolation and loneliness and provide opportunities for leadership and personal and community-building skills.

Further information, including program Guidelines are available via the Highways and Byways website: https://hb.org.au/grants/.

Applications close at 5.00pm AEDT Friday 15 March 2024.