OPTUS GRANT BRINGS THE CIRCUS TO TOWN FOR GERALDTON KIDS

The Geraldton Police & Community Youth Centre’s (PCYC) Circus Fun Class will showcase their new skills as a result of their professional circus training in a workshop this Friday 3 May.

The Geraldton PCYC is a not-for-profit organisation offering a range of sporting and recreational programs for disadvantaged children in the local area. Thanks to $3,450 in funding from the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program, the PCYC’s Circus Fun Class program ran a four day intensive workshop for local children with professional aerial artists, Nel Simpson and Elizabeth Sheldon.

Jillian Bourke, Manager at Geraldton PCYC, said, “PCYC Geraldton is supports kids from disenfranchised backgrounds. The ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program allows us to offer programs to more kids in a safe and social environment. Given the really positive feedback we’ve received from both regular instructors and kids, we’re planning to make our expert workshops an ongoing part of the class.”

Learning popular skills like acrobatics, juggling, stilts and spinning plates from an expert saw class numbers jump and drew in new members.

Helen Maisano, Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility at Optus said, “The Circus Fun Class is a great way to get kids moving and learning new skills and we’re delighted the Geraldton PCYC will be maintaining the initiative. Our ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program is about inspiring and encouraging the community and we’re excited to see Geraldton’s kids enjoy the class into the future.”

The annual ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program awards funding of up to $10,000 to not-for-profit organisations that help build social inclusion and reconnect disengaged youth in communities. Since 2008, Optus has awarded $880,000 in grants to 165 community organisations across Australia.

Jillian Bourke, Manager at Geraldton PCYC, and Circus Fun Class participants will be celebrating the success of the Nel Simpson workshop with a short performance this Friday.

MEDIA EVENT:
WHEN: Friday 3 May, 10-11am
WHERE: Geraldton PCYC, 105 Pass Street, Wonthella 6530 WA
WHY: A chance to see Geraldton PCYC’s Circus Fun Club in action and interview participants
ATTENDING: Jillian Bourke, Manager at Geraldton PCYC; Circus Fun Class participants and Ashley Merrett, Optus.

About Optus in the Community: For more information on the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program please visit https://www.optus.com.au/shop/aboutoptus/communitygrants

Media contact:
Julia Clarke
Fuel Communications
(02) 8217 6505