Patties Foods Community Grants Program – Bairnsdale Site Hosts 2025 Grant Recipients
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, Patties Foods recently welcomed the five inspiring recipients of the 2025 Patties Foods Community Grants Program to our Bairnsdale site for a special meet and greet and certificate presentation ceremony.
Hosted by Anand Surujpal (Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer) and Tim Costello (General Manager of Operations Bairnsdale) the event celebrated the passion, dedication, and positive impact these local organisations have on the East Gippsland region. The presentation was a wonderful opportunity for the grant winners to share more about their initiatives and network with each other and members of the Patties Food Group team.
Each of the five community organisations will receive a $5,000 grant to support their ongoing programs and community-driven efforts. The recipients were selected based on their meaningful contributions across youth development, emergency services, mental health, and community wellbeing.
The 2025 grant recipients are:
- Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club – Supporting grassroots sport and community engagement for youth and families in the Lakes Entrance region. Providing Essential Equipment for Training & Game Day," will benefit over 300 participants and volunteers. We aim to purchase age-appropriate footballs, netballs, drink bottles, and bottle holders to support both our junior and senior sports programs, enhancing training and game-day experiences.
- 313 Army Cadets – Fostering leadership, resilience, and civic responsibility among young people through structured training and outdoor experiences. Our project aims to acquire a purpose-built, enclosed trailer to transport cadet equipment, enabling us to conduct activities across East Gippsland with ease. Currently, all activities—except for an annual seven-day camp in Puckapunyal—are limited to our unit or nearby areas due to a lack of transport.
- Bairnsdale Scouts – Empowering local youth with life skills, teamwork, and community service through the scouting movement. Purchasing new IT and digital equipment for the Scout groups, used for online forms, training and development, medical forms and communications.
- Generational Happiness – Promoting mental health and wellbeing through intergenerational community programs focused on connection and happiness.Generational Happiness Inc. combats loneliness in aged care centers and retirement villages by uniting two generations through music and activities. Our program enhances motor skills, encourages movement, and rekindles memories through song, bringing joy to the elderly.
- Johnsonville Fire Brigade – Enhancing local emergency response capabilities and community preparedness through vital equipment and training support. We aim to provide our community with access to the Hidden Disability Lanyard, a discreet aid for individuals with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities. This lanyard alerts public transport staff and the community that the wearer may need extra assistance, preserving their dignity without requiring explanation.
Patties Food Group is proud to stand behind these incredible groups and looks forward to following the progress of their initiatives throughout the year. Our Community Grants Program is a key part of how we give back to the regions where we operate, and this event was a reminder of the power of local support and shared purpose. We thank all the recipients for the work they do and were honoured to celebrate with them in person.
