Implementing Lotterywest’s Good Practice Requirements

Each year, Lotterywest supports hundreds of diverse initiatives including projects, programs, services and events across Western Australia.

The Good Practice Requirements will apply to all grant applications received from 1 January 2024. The Requirements will help our community focus on enhancing the impact of these initiatives and realising a range of benefits beyond those directly related to the primary purpose of the grant.

Through the Good Practice Requirements, organisations supported by Lotterywest can increase the impact of their initiatives by promoting practices that are respectful of Aboriginal peoples, inclusive, healthy, sustainable and child safe.

The Good Practice Requirements cover seven areas:

• Respecting Aboriginal peoples.
• Equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Environmental sustainability.
• The promotion of healthy lifestyles.
• Sun smart practices.
• Smoke-free practices.

There are many different ways that you can implement the Good Practice Requirements, and each initiative will have different opportunities available to them.

Here are some examples that our grant community has shared with us to illustrate the sort of changes you can make. Individually, these may seem small but, collectively, they can contribute towards building a better WA together.

Respecting Aboriginal peoples

• We had a Welcome to Country at the beginning of the event and all speakers acknowledged the Traditional Custodians. The Aboriginal Community performed a Smoking Ceremony for both the Friday Food Night and Saturday Festival.
• We share project and development plans with [cultural custodian], who provides valuable insights into cultural requirements and considerations.
• We engage cultural advisors to welcome other First Nations guests to Country, and to attend rehearsals and events.
• We are a youth focussed organisation, and all our events include a Welcome to Country. This year one was given by a young Noongar man who talked about his culture and connection to young people through his youth mentoring in sport. He was accompanied by a youth dancer during his musical performance.

Depending on circumstance, it may be appropriate for different Aboriginal peoples to deliver a Welcome to Country or provide advice on your initiative. Consult with local Traditional Owner groups, Aboriginal Land Councils or Native Title representative bodies for guidance. Keep in mind that you will need to budget for this engagement in your project planning.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion

• Our venue was accessible both physically (ramps for stage) and culturally (review of menu) and allowing for specific accessibility to be identified by all in attendance.
• We had multi-lingual signage and promotional material.
• Companion tickets and children under 16 were free entry.
• We have food vendors on the road, and floor matting leading from pathways to the accessible toilets. We also block off a section of street parking, which is adjacent to the event site, and we allocate it to be additional ACROD parking bays.
• The exhibition was always free to enter. Most galleries selected were class A galleries with good access and facilities.
• We use an interpreter service for digital content.
• We provide clear information about access and inclusion on our website and through our ticketing system.
• Our volunteers are briefed and ready to assist individuals with disabilities, prams, walking aids, and provide general information and support.

Environmental sustainability

• We are environmentally sustainable on a day-to-day basis by composting our waste, using worm farms and practicing organic gardening.
• All our food is packed in reusable bags.
• During the building process, contractors cleaned up as they went and placed recyclable items in the recycling bin.
• In offering quality, clean toys to the community and wider areas, our aim is to reduce the number of toys purchased by families and therefore a reduction in landfill.
• The exhibition catalogue and the majority of the publicity materials were digital. 
• We provide information and promote public transport options through our booking platform.
• We do not use single-use plastics in our venue kiosk and bar.

Healthy lifestyles

• The bigger area enables us to host a larger number of people and educate them on how to grow and prepare healthy food.
• We provide free drinking water or refill options.
• We provide support for centre programs that includes nutritional education and promotes healthy eating.
• We hold Alcohol Free City events.

Sun smart

• The improved facilities have provided a warmer, healthier space for members and workshop attendees, as well as a bigger sun safe space.
• We provide free sunscreen as well as shade umbrellas at the tables within the food court area.
• Part of the funds were spent on new shade sails at the centre which helps children to enjoy outdoor activities and be sun safe.

Smoke-free

• Getting this new equipment and doing the improvements ensures we can continue to deliver activities and projects that assist community members to participate in healthy lifestyle activities in a smoke free environment.
• All of the events are smoke and vape free.
• Presented as a free, family-friendly, and community-focused festival, this is an alcohol and smoke-free event, for proving an open and highly inclusive experience for all people from all cultural backgrounds.

We hope that these examples provide some inspiration for how you can implement the Good Practice Requirements as part of your own initiatives.

Even if you’re not applying for Lotterywest funding, considering the Good Practice Requirements for any of your programs, activities or events can help you increase the positive impact of your initiative in the community.

Download the Good Practice Requirements here.