Council is offering grants of up to $750 as part of the Aboriginal Youth Cultural Learning Fund to assist in teaching young people about Aboriginal communities, history and traditions.

This new program is an example of Lake Macquarie City Council’s strong commitment to cultural recognition and inclusion.

Under Council’s Statement of Commitment and our Arts Heritage and Cultural Plan, we undertake to promote activities that increase cultural awareness and sensitivity.

These documents formalise our commitment to building a common future.

Acknowledgement of the Awabakal people as the traditional custodians of this area, and of the culture of the First Australians as being among the oldest living cultures in the world, underpins our new Arts, Heritage and Cultural Plan, which has recently been on public exhibition.

Council believes it is important to educate young people in our City about Aboriginal culture and history in the Lake Macquarie area.

The Aboriginal Youth Cultural Learning Fund will provide an opportunity for local community and school groups to get involved with innovative learning activities.

Applications are now open for the Aboriginal Youth Cultural Learning Fund are open until Monday 18 September 2017.

Visit lakemac.com.au to download the guidelines document and application form.

 The boating season is just around the corner and Council staff have been busy putting the finishing touches on upgrades to some boating facilities around the lake.

A new pontoon has been added to the boat ramp at Croudace Bay, Valentine jetty has been extended and improved, and an upgrade of the boat ramp at Toronto Lions Park is under way.

Next week, Councillors are expected to endorse a staff recommendation to build a new protected ramp and pontoon on the current site of the Pelican Boat Ramp, ending a long period of uncertainty over the future of that facility and delivering a win to the community, who wanted the ramp rebuilt in on that site.