The City supports local communities to connect and get to know each other, by providing funds for neighbours and community groups to hold small neighbourhood events such as picnics and barbeques.
To be eligible, you must be a City of Cockburn resident.
The maximum funds available for a gathering is $50.
Items that can be funded include food (e.g sausages, buns, fruit), entertainment, decorations, promotion.
For each event:
- A minimum of three households with 10 attendees need to be invited
- Events must be held within Cockburn on public properties, e.g. parks, verges
- A minimum of 10 attendees need to be present.
You can apply
year-round.
Your application must be submitted one month prior to the event.
To apply:
- Ensure you are eligible and have read the limitations and conditions
- Apply using the form link below.
Neighbourhood Networking Fund Application Form
Limitations and conditions
- Applications for holding a private gathering are not eligible.
- Alcohol cannot be purchased with the funds.
- Only one application per event will be funded.
- Funds will be provided in the form of vouchers.
- One event per household per year is allowed.
- If your application is approved, a summary of the event, including copies of receipts, invitations, promotion materials, and photos, must be submitted within one month of the event's completion.
Please contact the City on 08 9411 3444 or email
[email protected].
Neighbourhood Party Kit
Holding an event is a great way for you to connect and get to know your neighbours in a casual and fun way. The City supports local community connection and encourages neighbours and community groups to hold small neighbourhood events such as picnics and barbeques with the Neighbourhood Networking Fund Program.
Below you will find:
Planning a gathering
It is recommended to allow plenty of time to plan your event. It is important to consider some of the questions listed below:
| When |
What |
Who |
Why |
| When will you be holding your event? |
What is going to happen at your event? |
Who will be organising the event and
will you have any help from other
neighbours/members of your street? |
Why are you holding this event? |
How much time is required to organise
the event? |
Will there be a theme, games, will
everyone bring a plate of food to share
or their own meals? |
Who will be attending? |
What is the purpose and what are
you hoping to achieve? |
| How long will the event run for? |
How will you let everyone know what
the plan for the event is? |
How many
people do you anticipate? |
|
| |
Do you need any special equipment
for your event? (tables, games, fire
extinguisher etc.) |
|
|
It's also important to consider Risk Management and safe food handling.
Do you need special equipment for your event?
The Community Trailer is a free resource for residents and not-for-profit groups to enhance their events. Packed with essential equipment like BBQs, bunting, tables, and more, it's your go-to for hosting memorable gatherings. From safety gear to giant games, this trailer has everything you need to bring your community together. Managed by Friends of the Community, the trailer is located at 15 Kent Street in Spearwood.
Bookings are essential and the trailer can be hired in full, or you can choose select items to borrow. please complete the Trailer Application Form.
In addition to this equipment it may also be helpful to put together an event tool kit yourself stocked with all the things you may need on the day of your event such as rope, hammer, sticky tape, glue, marker pens and blue tac. Don’t forget a first aid kit too!
Risk management
It's important to prepare a Risk Management Plan for any event. It ensures that precautions are taken to protect the health and safety of those attending the event and surrounding residents.
In your Risk Management Plan you must outline each risk, develop strategies to manage these risks and assign a person to be responsible for the management of these at the event.
Some of the risks that need to be considered when planning a neighbourhood party include:
-
Traffic Hazards
-
Unsafe Food
-
Adverse Weather
-
Injuries to attendees.
There will likely be other risks to your event, so it is worthwhile taking the time to assess the risks and having controls in place so that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time.
We have provided a Risk Management Plan template in the sectiopn below, that includes examples of how to fill it out:
-
Identify it – List all of the hazards or possible situations associated with the event activity that may expose people to injury, illness or disease. List these hazards in the ‘hazards’ column of the template
-
Fix it – Identify what practical measures could be put in place to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of the hazard occurring. This is where changes are made to the event to reduce the risks. List these in the ‘Controls/ Actions’ column of the template
-
Assign it – Identify who will be responsible for carrying out the Controls/Actions at your event. List these in the ‘Responsibility’ column of the template.
Safe food handling
It is important to consider Safe Food Handling practices when preparing/cooking food for your event.
Some handy tips include:
-
Always wash your hands before handling food, after touching raw food and after going to the toilet. Wash your hands with soap and water
-
Ensure you are well when handling food and wear a mask if required
-
Ensure you are preparing food on clean surfaces and with clean utensils
-
Perishable foods need to be kept at optimal temperatures, below 5° C for cold food and above 60° C for hot food
-
Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods. Use separate utensils and chopping boards when preparing raw and cooked foods
-
Cook food until it is steaming hot throughout. Cook meats properly and re- heat dishes until they are boiling/ steaming. Dishes should only be re-heated once
-
Cooked meat can be left warm on a corner of the barbecue or covered on a plate. Do not leave out for more than four hours (less if the weather is hot)
-
Cold foods should not be left out of the fridge or cooler for more than four hours (less if the weather is hot)
-
Anything perishable left out in the heat or for more than four hours should be thrown out
-
Any food that has been pre-prepared needs to be stored/transported properly. Don’t put hot or warm food in a cooler/esky (as they cannot cool). Keep cold foods together with ice/ice packs
-
Keep food covered to protect it from flies/insects. Always use a clean cover.
For further information visit our Safe Food page or Healthy WA website.
Ice-breaker activities
Sometimes introducing yourself or meeting new people for the first time can be a little daunting. We’ve compiled a few ideas that you can use to break the ice with your neighbours and find out some fun things about them too!
Two truths, one lie
Each person comes up with two true statements about themselves and one lie and shares it with the group, who then need to guess which is the lie. This is a great way to share details about yourself and get to know a little about your neighbours.
The most unusual job
Each person shares the most unusual job/ occupation they have had with the group. This usually results in some great answers with people having done a myriad of professions. If you want too, depending on the size of the group, you can vote for the person who has had the most unusual/ humorous job and award them a prize.
Introduce your partner
Each person from the group/gathering partners up with someone they don’t know, and each spends a few minutes introducing themselves (who they are, where they live, what they do and hobbies they may have). Once everyone has had the chance to chat, they then introduce their partner to the rest of the group.