Pitch Night delivers more than $106,000 in funding

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN) inaugural Pitch Night held on Thursday, 2 May in Griffith was attended by more than 100 people who pledged $106,800 in total funding, shared among three projects; Live Life Get Active, Giz a Break, Exceptional Ageing.

The Live Life Get Active program received $35,500 to deliver a 12-month fitness program in Griffith specifically for people who are overweight, obese, or have a chronic condition like diabetes. Giz a Break received $46,300 to support young people living with the impact of drought and their mental health. The Exceptional Ageing program received $25,000 to commence a new five-week program, initially in Leeton and Griffith, to support older Australians to foster physical and mental fitness.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said the night was a huge success and each recipient received more than just funding.

“The atmosphere on the evening was so positive and supportive, both between the finalists and the audience. Some of the feedback I personally received on the night was that people were genuinely impressed with the finalists, their programs and the whole evening,” Ms Neal said.

“Our finalists were able to pitch their innovative ideas to a room full of engaged community members and health professionals, but also network and make connections on an individual level. We had people from the crowd offer in-kind support for the program, business cards were exchanging hands and the finalists themselves offered each other luck and congratulations throughout the evening.

“At its essence, Pitch Night is about engaging our community at a grassroots level. Our finalists developed their programs based on what gaps they are identifying to support healthy communities, and locals are determining the funding for these important programs.

“We anticipate this one-off grant funding will help establish these three innovative programs in these locations with the aim they could act as a catalyst for implementation in other communities across the region.

“I would like to congratulate the three finalists, Alex King from Live Life Get Active, Daniel Thomson and Soenke Tremper from Giz a Break; and Natalie O’Leary and Sharon De Valentin from Exceptional Ageing. I am truly looking forward to seeing the results of these programs over the coming 12 months,” she said.