Twenty-one projects in Victoria’s main dairy regions – Gippsland, Northern Victoria, and South-West Victoria – have been awarded $91,833 in grants, which will help to build the capacity of local community organisations and improve digital connectivity.
The grants are through the Gardiner Dairy Foundation Community Grants Program, which is delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). This marks the 20th year of the program, which has seen more than 500 grants awarded, valued at more than $2 million during that time.
The latest round of grants of up to $5,000 will go to grassroots organisations and not-for-profits that are critical to the sustainability of dairy farming in Victoria.
Gardiner Dairy Foundation Chief Executive, Allan Cameron, said he is delighted to continue supporting dairying communities.
“After 20 years, the Community Grants Program continues to support Victorian regions that are reliant on the dairy industry. Local groups play an important role in enhancing the vitality of these communities.
“These grants will help local organisations in many small towns to thrive with initiatives that range from COVID recovery and disaster preparedness, to improved digital capabilities and facility upgrades. The grants help to ensure the viability of these organisations,” Mr Cameron said.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said there was strong demand for this kind of support.
“Half of the projects receiving funding are geared towards building organisational capacity or improving access to the internet or digital technologies. This is a reflection of how the last couple of years have impacted remote, rural, and regional community groups and a great reminder of why it’s important to engage in conversations with the locals on the ground and find out how we can adapt our approach to better serve the needs of their communities.
“We are delighted to have maintained such a strong partnership with Gardiner Dairy Foundation for the last two decades,” Ms Egleton said.
Community groups were presented with their funds at a series of ceremonies held in the regions during June and July. A complete list of the projects supported is available on FRRR’s website. They include:
- Gippsland Dairy Region – The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc received $5,000 to enhance literacy outcomes for Indigenous primary school children with a dedicated tutoring program.
- Northern Dairy Region – Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc received $5,000 to grow the organisation’s capacity to support the community with the provision of computer equipment and software.
- South-Western Dairy Region – Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum Trust Inc. received $4,752 to build organisational capacity through developing digital capability that will promote and enable wide engagement with Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| GIPPSLAND | |||
| The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc | Post COVID Literacy Support for Aboriginal Students in the Gippsland region Enhance literacy outcomes for Indigenous primary school children with a dedicated tutoring program. | Bairnsdale | $5,000 |
| Camp Cooinda Incorporated | Training Safety Boat Operators for Camp Cooinda Build organisational capacity by training and upskilling volunteers to run camp activities. | Banksia Peninsula | $3,000 |
| Manna Gum Community House Incorporated | Manna Gum Gathering Place – Stage 3 Improve the facilities of Manna Gum house with an electric BBQ for community gatherings. | Foster | $5,000 |
| Neerim District Soldiers Memorial Hospital | Communication Integrity – Satellite Phone Improve the disaster preparedness of Neerim Soldiers Hospital with a Satellite Phone to maintain communications in an emergency. | Neerim South | $3,050 |
| Port Albert Maritime Museum | Letting History Speak Enhance tourism experience at the Port Albert Maritime Museum with audio installations to increase inclusivity and access. | Port Albert | $5,000 |
| Toora Primary School | Netball lines in Stadium Increase access to all weather facilities for the Toora Primary School and surrounding community. | Toora | $5,000 |
| Trafalgar Holden Museum Inc | Replacement of chairs Increase organisational capacity and community safety with the replacement of dilapidated chairs at the Trafalgar Holden Museum. | Trafalgar | $5,000 |
| Newry Hall Upper Maffra Mechanics Institute Incorporated | Hall Internet Connection Reduce the digital divide for the Newry community with the provision of enhanced internet infrastructure at the Newry Hall. | Newry | $3,000 |
| Venus Bay Tarwin Lower and District Mens Shed Incorporated | “Stop Washing Dishes by Hand and Greater Community Participation” Enhance operational infrastructure to support volunteer vitality through the purchase of a dishwasher for the Venus Bay Tarwin Lower and Districts Mens Shed. | Venus Bay | $5,000 |
| Welshpool and District Primary School | IncrediGirls Develop lifelong educational opportunities for girls of Welshpool and District Primary School through the delivery of the IncrediGirls program focused on STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) activities across the community. | Welshpool | $5,000 |
| NORTH EAST VICTORIA | |||
| Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc | Digital Growth Grow the organisations capacity to support the community with the provision of computer equipment and software. | Corryong | $5,000 |
| Girgarre Community Centre | Building Connections with Technology Build the capacity of Girgarre Community House to increase community access to online services in collaboration with neighbouring town Stanhope. | Girgarre | $5,000 |
| Kyabram Development Committee Incorporated | Kyabram Tastes & Tunes Strengthen the social and economic outcomes of Kyabram through support of the Tastes and Tunes Festival. | Kyabram | $5,000 |
| Rochester Community House Inc | It’s Time for New Tools Improve facilities and equipment to increase participation and safety with the purchase of new tools for the Rochester Mens Shed. | Rochester | $2,900 |
| SOUTH WEST VICTORIA | |||
| Anam CaracHouse Colac Inc | Strengthening Community Connections through Information Technology Final stage Build organisational capacity to support resident’s socialisation and staff training with Smart TV equipment. | Colac | $2,446 |
| Archers of Warrnambool Associated Incorporated | Combined Clubs Mower Improve equipment to support volunteer participation with a mower to maintain grounds for combined community activity and tourism. | Allansford | $5,000 |
| Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum Trust Inc. | Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum digital engagement project Build organisational capacity through developing digital capability that will promote and enable wide engagement with Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum. | Camperdown | $4,752 |
| Loved and Shared Incorporated | Loved & Shared, Establishing the Warehouse Increase organisational capacity of this start up not-for-profit group to repair and distribute nursery equipment and children’s clothing and items to the community. | Warrnambool | $5,000 |
| Pennyroyal Hall Committee | Pennyroyal Hall Refurbishment Improve community facilities at Pennyroyal by replastering the local hall. | Pennyroyal | $5,000 |
| Purnim Recreation Reserve | Upgrade Pavilion Kitchen Appliances Upgrade the kitchen facilities at the Purnim Community Recreation facility to support community events and activity. | Purnim | $3,500 |
| Simpson Indoor Bias Bowls Club Inc | Indoor Bowls Carpet Mat upgrade Boost volunteer vitality with the provision of replacement bowls carpet to support community activity for the Simpson community. | Simpson | $4,235 |