Kit, the kids’ pocket money app built by CommBank, has announced the winners of its Kit Cares Community Program – a new initiative to promote the importance of financial literacy while recognising organisations that improve the lives of young Australians.
Almost 350 community organisations from across Australia registered to take part in the program. Local communities then helped decide the winners by exploring financial learning resources on the Kit website to earn votes for their chosen organisation.
The following four community organisations received the highest number of votes in their region and have each been awarded a $10,000 cash prize:
- New South Wales & ACT winner: Loftus Public School P&C, Loftus
- Victoria & Tasmania winner: Kyabram Blue Light, Kyabram
- Queensland winner: Redland Bay State School P&C, Redland Bay
- South Australia, Western Australia & NT winner: Wanneroo Junior Football Club Inc, Wanneroo
In addition to the four major prizes, up to $100,000 worth of cash prizes and vouchers will be given to community organisations across Australia. Second and third-place winners in each region will earn vouchers courtesy of program sponsor Funlab, while participating organisations will also receive $100 for every 100 votes cast in their favour, providing valuable funding to support the important work they do for kids and their families.
"These winners reflect the incredible work being done every day by community organisations across Australia, many of which rely on the support of volunteers, fundraising and local communities to deliver their programs," said Yish Koh, Managing Director of Kit.
"Kit Cares was about giving something back to the organisations creating opportunities for young Australians to learn, grow and thrive, while also helping families to build financial capability and confidence with money, helping set them up with skills for life."
"While we had high hopes communities would get behind the program, we've been blown away by the response, with nearly 60,000 votes cast in support of causes making a real difference in the lives of young people.”
Making a difference in communities across Australia
This year’s winners reflect the diverse ways community organisations support young Australians – from P&C associations enriching school life, to police-led programs and grassroots sports clubs fostering inclusion, resilience and a sense of belonging.
Among the winners is Kyabram Blue Light, a youth organisation in regional Victoria run by local police in partnership with the community. Established in 2006, Kyabram Blue Light delivers programs including KyFit – a weekly gym-based fitness and mentoring program for young people aged 12 to 16 – as well as discos, camps, skate park events and excursions. The program specifically targets young people at risk of disengaging from their peers, school and community, using physical activity and positive police relationships to build trust, connection and confidence.
"Seeing a young person catch their first fish, swim in the ocean or head away on their first camp is what it's all about," said Mitchell Bull, President of Kyabram Blue Light.
"This funding will help ensure cost is never a barrier to participation and allow us to create even more opportunities, connections and experiences for young people in our community."
Other winning organisations include Loftus Public School P&C in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, which brings together parents, teachers and local community members to enrich the educational and recreational experiences of its students; Wanneroo Junior Football Club Inc, one of the Perth metro area’s oldest junior clubs, which has been providing inclusive AFL programs for boys and girls of all ages since 1964; and Redland Bay State School P&C in Queensland, which supports more than 800 students at one of the state’s largest primary schools through fundraising, events and community programs.
"We rely on this type of funding to provide the basics – playing jumpers, bump pads and replacing broken equipment. It's crucial," said Chelsea Stronach, Auskick and Superkick Co-ordinator at Wanneroo Junior Football Club.
"The $10,000 will also help us continue growing our female football program, giving more young girls the opportunity to get involved in local footy."
