Canon Oceania has named the winners of the 2023 Canon Oceania Grants Program recognising three Australian organisations making a positive impact in their local communities.
Since the inception of its Grants program 17 years ago and guided by its Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon has supported more than 100 community organisations and schools, providing more than $500,000 in monetary and product support.
In celebration of Canon’s 50th year in Australia, the Grants program increased the Grant pool this year to $50,000 across the Oceania region.
The program awards each grant recipient with $5,000 worth of cash and Canon products ($2,500 cash and $2,500 in Canon product), ranging from cameras and lenses to printers and other accessories. In addition to the three category winners across Education, Community, and Environment, Canon also recognises an overall winner to receive both a grant and content development package valued at $10,000.
“This year’s Grants program is the biggest it has ever been, as we celebrate 50 years of Canon in Oceania,” Canon Oceania managing director, Kotaro Fukushima said.
“The winners announced are among the many organisations that continue to make a difference in their local communities. The spirit behind the work being done is why Canon’s Grants program has gone from strength to strength over the past 17 years. We share in the recipients’ celebrations, and it’s our hope the Grants will bolster the impact these projects have on their local communities.”
Environment and Overall Winner: Hobart Rivulet Platypus
Hobart Rivulet Platypus is dedicated to protecting and preserving the endangered platypus population in Hobart’s urban waterways. The non-profit organisation employs a multifaceted approach to raising awareness and inspiring change in the local community, including creative and engaging social media campaigns, public art installations, and community information sessions. Through its debut film, The Platypus Guardian, the organisation made great strides in galvanising the community and the local government into taking greater action to protect urban platypuses.
Community: FoodLab Sydney
FoodLab Sydney is a non-profit kitchen incubator which supports food entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as refugees, migrants, women who’ve been displaced, and First Nations people, by giving them the tools, resources and skills needed to grow their food businesses. With a newly donated commercial kitchen in Strathfield, Sydney, FoodLab’s vision is to create a shared commercial kitchen space that’s affordable, safe, and secure for participants to scale their food businesses.
Education: Cerebral Palsy Alliance
The Cerebral Palsy Alliance (feature image) is committed to creating opportunity for people with cerebral palsy and related conditions, empowering them with resources, tools, and skills to become leaders and advocates for their community. Through its CPActive Academy program, the non-profit organisation provides young people with cerebral palsy the opportunity to develop important skills like public speaking, advocacy, media training, and networking.
New Zealand winners 2023
Community and Overall winner: Love Soup
Environment: Sustainable Ocean Society
Education: Pukekohe High School