Meet the 2025 Our Place Community Fund grantees
27 November 2025 | Council News
Back in August, we took to the promenade of Bondi Beach to ask you what you would do for our community with $5000.
Now, we’re excited to introduce the successful grantees of the Our Place Community Fund, which is investing some $50,000 into inspiring local projects that focus on creating a more connected, creative and sustainable Waverley.
These grants have been made possible by the return of New Year’s Eve to Bondi Beach, with elrow Bondi Beach XXL and a free, family-friendly Locals Lawn exclusively for Waverley residents.
Pauline in Bronze
Honouring a surfing legend
After significant community fundraising for the creation and installation of a life-sized bronze sculpture of Pauline Menczer, the only surfer from Bondi to win a Surfing World Title, the Pauline in Bronze committee were awarded a grant to cover expenses for a community celebration and unveiling event. The statue is located at South Bondi and will foster a sense of pride in the local community and inspire future generations of female surfers.
North Bondi Share Boards
Reducing waste, encouraging surf culture
This clever initiative rescues damaged softboards from landfill, repairs them, and makes them freely available for community use. By creating a dedicated share-board station above the North Bondi kids pool, the project promotes sustainability, skill-sharing and a sense of collective care for both our coastline and each other.
WWAS Equitable Access to Arts Education Initiative
Art for everyone
Waverley Woollahra Art School will purchase an electric accessible desk and two access easels to better support wheelchair users, while launching a new initiative to promote inclusive art classes. The project aims to open doors to creative expression and ensure people with disability have equal access to arts and cultural learning.
Pound Paws Puppy Adoption Playdate Series
Building empathy and responsible pet care
Five hands-on Puppy Adoption Playdates will be held in Waverley from September 2025 to April 2026, designed for children aged four to 12. Kids will learn about pet care through creative activities, while parents attend for free – strengthening family bonds and community connections along the way.
Enhancing Community Connection to Our Ocean
Citizen science for a healthier coastline
This project, delivered by the charity Underwater Earth, empowers Rose Bay Secondary College students to monitor local marine biodiversity using environmental DNA sampling, whilst communicating results to the wider Bondi community. Building on recent marine bioblitz efforts, it offers practical science experience, vital environmental data and long-term ocean stewardship skills for our community. This project also received funding through the Blue World Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize.
The Body Project: Photography Exhibition and Events
Celebrating strength, diversity and self-acceptance
For 10 days in Spring 2026, The Body Project will host an intimate exhibition featuring raw portraits and heartfelt letters exploring body positivity. The program will also offer female-focused events—including art classes, yoga, poetry writing and creative workshops—delivered by incredible women in the community and designed to foster connection and honour the diversity of the female form.
‘Vem Beber Água da Fonte’ – Come and Drink Water from the Source
Honouring Bondi’s rich Capoeira heritage
Did you know Capoeira has been part of Bondi’s cultural fabric since the 1980s?
In October, the founder of Centro de Cultura Canzuá Capoeira travelled from Brazil to lead movement and music workshops for students, locals and visitors. The program celebrated Capoeira’s deep cultural roots and its power to help people build confidence, wellbeing and community connection.
You can explore current awards and grants opportunities here: https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/community/awards_and_grants