The committee, made up of 13 refinery employees, will allocate $45,000 in grants each year to community organisations in the northern suburbs of Geelong. In launching the committee, Refinery General Manager, Huck Poh, said: "Shell is committed to investing in the local community and one of the best ways we can do this is by involving employees." "Our employees are passionate about the program and I'm pleased that they can be involved in the grant decision making and work with the local community. "The launch of the committee is part of a wider social investment program designed to build capacity in local community in the areas of health and wellbeing, education, and care for the environment," Huck said. Anthony Wilson, CEO of United Way and Chairman of Shell's Social Investment sub-committee, attended the launch and commended Shell on the initiative. "There is always an ever-increasing need in the local community for funding, and any additional funding, such as this committee, can only be of benefit for the community," Anthony said. Local schools and scouts group have already benefited from an earlier pilot of the program with grants being awarded for projects ranging from buying water tanks to growing and harvesting plants for orang-utans. About half of the funding was allocated through the pilot. The closing date for the next round of grants is 31 October 2007. Application forms can be downloaded from Shell's website  www.shell.com.au/geelong.
| 
