Outdoor performing arts, toilet renovation among Leader Local Grant winners

An outdoor performing arts space and a tired toilet block makeover are two of the 27 projects underway thanks to the 2019 Leader Local Grants. See how the program is making a difference.

Students at Fairfield Primary School can leap right into a new performing arts space.

A barren section of schoolyard will be transformed into a space to explore the arts thanks to a 2019 Leader Local Grant.

Fairfield Primary School were the Northcote Leader winners, and will receive $1000 to go towards the project.

The empty section will be made over into an extension of the school’s performing arts space with rock seating, trees and native shrubs.

School environmental sustainability committee member Katherine Barraclough said the space would exhibit the school’s strong focus on the arts and the importance they placed on nature.

The Preston Leader winners were Newlands Primary School, Preston.

“Our hope is that this space will allow our children to explore and learn from the two simultaneously,” she said.

The Preston Leader winner was Newlands Primary School for its Tired Toilets project.

The school will receive $1000 to paint a mural featuring messages of positivity and respectful relationships in student toilets.

Assistant principal Luke Cripps said they were grateful for the chance to brighten up a “tired” area of the school.

“We’re hoping it will be the start of everything else we can do at the school,” he said.

Students will choose messages for the design and it will be painted by school parent and mural artist Tom Civil.

Leader has given more than $313,000 to community projects since the program started in 2012.

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This year there were 325 applications and more than 65,800 reader votes cast.

Leader Local Grants is presented by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, and sponsored by smoothfm and The Langham Melbourne.

For the list of winners visit the Leader Local Grants website.

@richardapearce