Community News

At Villawood, building new communities goes beyond creating homes — it’s about supporting the local groups and causes that make our neighbourhoods truly thrive. Our annual community grants program is one way we give back and stay connected with the people who bring our developments to life.

We were thrilled to present our FY25 Community Grant sponsorships to this year’s successful recipients at our recent Display Village Grand Opening Event at Oakden Rise this month. Most were able to attend and enjoy the family fun along with a meet and greet with our team!

The successful applicants included:

• Adelaide City Football Club
• Northgate Oakden Residents’ Association (NORA)
• Rotary Club of Lightsview
• Adelaide Academy of Irish Dancing
• North East Community House
• Greenacres Community Garden
• Modbury community children’s centre
• AVV Calisthenics Club
• KSM Academy

A big thank you to everyone who applied, and congratulations to all our incredible community partners making a difference every day.

Find out more about the local community groups and how our grants has helped below:

Adelaide City Football Club

A local soccer club that is not for profit – which requires funds/grants to run the soccer club for junior/senior members of the community to encourage team bonding, physical education and community gathering.
Our grant will help run the soccer club, purchase equipment, better sporting facilities, upgrade various areas of the Club like change rooms and soccer field costs. The club stated: “The visions and goals of Villawood are that of our soccer club”. It was fantastic to have the soccer club man a stall at our community event to engage the local community in their vision of bringing community together through sport and building a Club that is involved with the community and providing events for those involved and not involved in the Club.

Northgate Oakden Residents’ Association (NORA)

The Northgate Oakden Residents’ Association (NORA) is a grassroots, volunteer-led group made up of local residents working together to strengthen community ties, advocate for improvements, and foster meaningful connections across Northgate and Oakden.
Our grant will fund the build and install two Little Libraries — one in Northgate and one in the new Oakden Rise community. These Little Libraries are more than just places to borrow, swap, or donate books. They are gathering points — spaces where neighbours can meet, share stories, learn, relax, and find a moment of peace in their day. They foster connection, curiosity, and kindness.

Since installing their first Little Library, they’ve seen increased foot traffic, spontaneous book donations, and heartfelt feedback from residents who appreciate the opportunity to connect and contribute. Community engagement that we – Villawood, love to see.

Rotary Club of Lightsview

The Rotary Club of Lightsview is a group committed to working with the Community to provide services and events that benefit the Community.  They are community minded and project oriented.  Any funds raised goes to support causes such as: Domestic Violence support, Rotary Foundation, Period Poverty programs, scholarships for students to attend leadership programs and camps and other worthy causes.
To assist with this, our grant funds will help to purchase a PA speaker with wireless microphone so they can better communicate with the community at their events, to engage the local community.

Adelaide Academy of Irish Dancing

The Irish Dance Group has been operating in the Northfield area for over 15 years.  They have just recently moved to the RSL Hall at Northfield after the building they have been in for over 10 years (Sea Scout Hall – Pettit Street, Northfield) was sold in July.

The Dance School caters for ages 2.5 years up to Adult. Whilst Irish Dancing is a competitive form of Dance – they also teach many dancers for fun and fitness.  Adult class caters for both previous dancers and we have had numerous Adult dancers in their 60’s and 70’s learn our beautiful art form.
After having to recently move locations, the club has had to utilise a lot of their savings. Therefore, our grant will be useful in providing the dancers with new team dresses for their next event.

North East Community House

North East Community House Inc. (NECH) is a not-for-profit organisation serving our local community since 1986. They provide low-cost or free services, recreational programs, and events that adapt to community needs and foster social connection. Their mission is to strengthen wellbeing through inclusion, lifelong learning, personal growth, and empowerment. NECH offers a range of programs from wellness initiatives, skill development workshops, and social groups to family and community support services, each designed to be accessible and responsive.

Our grant will help fund the community garden. As NECH has stated, “a thriving community garden is far more than just a collection of plants; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem that nurtures both food and people. The act of purchasing and introducing high-quality topsoil to fill new garden beds and replenish existing ones is arguably the single most important investment a community garden can make.” It’s an investment that pays dividends in both delicious vegetables and a stronger, more connected community.

Greenacres Community Garden

Greenacres Community Garden has been a welcoming centre of local community activity since starting in 2018. From its inception, the garden has been community driven, with a hard-working committee of local residents and volunteers working to grow their own fruit and vegetables, whilst keeping the garden in top condition. Their community garden is totally volunteer driven and is open 24/7 to the local community while they have a membership category that is free, so everyone can benefit. One of their aims is to beautify the suburb and to do this, they have created various types of flower gardens including a Japanese Garden, which needs refurbishing. As part of this display, we need a new bridge, a new arch, and to plant some new trees as well as some seating. Our grant will help to fund these initiatives.

Modbury Community Children’s Centre

This local community centre is not-for-profit and offers long day care for children aged 3 months to 6 years, with a focus on educational, play based programs. We are delighted for our grant to assist towards resources, play equipment, maintaining the centre and running expenses. The centre holds community events and fundraisers to help raise money for this.

AVV Calisthenics Club

AVV Calisthenics Club is a long-standing, not-for-profit, volunteer led organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for girls and young women in Oakden, Greenacres, Lightsview, and surrounding suburbs. The club empowers members to develop lifelong friendships, teamwork, and resilience, while learning performance and leadership skills that support them well into adulthood. Our $2000 Community Grant would directly support their 2026 camp, a cornerstone event in our annual calendar. The camp allows members across all age groups to come together for intensive training, team building, and community connection. It fosters confidence, resilience, and unity, and gives our athletes an opportunity to build stronger friendships, while also preparing for the competitive season ahead.

Funding this camp reduces the financial pressure on families, many of whom live locally, ensuring that all children regardless of background can participate fully. This grant would not only strengthen AVV as a club but also benefit the broader community by promoting physical activity, mental wellbeing, and positive youth engagement.

KSM Academy

KSM Academy is a sports group designed to empower multicultural youth through sports and mentorship. “We inspire youth from diverse cultural backgrounds by providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership and development through soccer”. Our grant will help to fund equipment, playing fees for some of their most talented and underprivileged youth and costs associated with pitch hire and lighting.