October saw Western Australia take centre stage with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Politicians, dignitaries and media from around the globe mixed it with Perth locals in an extensive program of activities including the Commonwealth Festival and The People's Forum. We created videos of a selection of our grant recipients to showcase at the Festival. Stories about three of the projects are told in this edition of GrantEd.

Emergency relief support
With many Western Australians facing difficult economic circumstances and the Christmas period approaching, there's been a significant increase in the demand for emergency relief services. In response, Lotterywest increased its support by providing over $4 million in grants to emergency relief organisations. Visit the WACOSS website to find an Emergency Relief provider in the area near you.

Volunteer marine rescue equipment
Summer is on the way and our State's Volunteer Marine Services are geared up to respond to marine emergencies and to raise awareness of the hazards along our coast. In recognition of this work Lotterywest provided fifteen equipment grants for Volunteer Marine Services totalling $371,000.

Summer time is community events and festival time
Lotterywest supports community events and festivals right across the State. Check out our website for upcoming events near you, including the West Australian Symphony Orchestra's free 2011 Symphony in the City Concert on The Esplanade, 10 December at 7.30pm and the Perth International Arts Festival which kicks off on 10 February with the Lotterywest Festival Films starting on 28 November. The Festival will celebrate 20 years of support from Lotterywest in this, its 60th year.

Lotterywest Festival Films will showcase the most exciting new release and first run cinema at Somerville and Joondalup Pines.

Innovations this year include In Retrospect, representing the best of the Festival films of the past six decades plus an Australian or New Zealand classic. Also for the first time you can vote for your favourite film of the season.

For more visit www.perthfestival.com.au

Kununurra visit
Recently Alan Moore from our Grants team, attended the East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Kununurrra. The event showcased the achievements of individuals and community organisations throughout the region and provided an opportunity for Lotterywest to hear the outcomes of successful community initiatives supported by our grants.

We congratulate all the award winners. See a full list of winners and their achievements at ekaaa.com.au

To register your interest in meeting a member of the team to talk about grant opportunities in your area please contact us.