Here we go again with talk of a recession looming and interest rates predicted to go up again by August. And all this speculation leads to uncertainty in the market and you can’t trust speculation because that’s just what it is, a best guess.
In fact for those who aren’t asleep at the wheel, you might remember the last time the Reserve Bank and the federal government speculated was when they told us that house prices were going to crash by 30 per cent in the midst of the pandemic and in fact it was the opposite and most home owners are now millionaires.
They told us to rush out and borrow as much as you could as the interest rates were freefalling and were never going up again. And now Australian house foreclosures and mortgage distress have shown an upward trend between late 2024 and early 2025 as the faithful borrowers came off their fixed interest rates into a world of pain.
The question i do we believe what we are being told and the resounding answer is no, take all the information and throw it in the rubbish when it comes to home buying. If you buy and sell in the same market you can’t lose – the best time to buy is when you find the right home, the best time to sell is when you want to move on.
External pressures outside of our control will always be there. When I was growing up Dad always told me to get my shit together and if I didn’t by the time I am 30 I would never make it. Dad is a great bloke but he isn’t an oracle and I can point to plenty of examples of folks getting their shit together later in life. Or not getting their shit together at all, who are perfectly happy with no mortgage stress. Or even folks that have waited for their parents perfectly managed excrement to be handed down to them as they pop off this mortal coil.
The whole thing about external pressures is that it just shows we have very little control of life. In fact, speaking of Dad, he went on to losing his shirt in the crash of 1987 and only recovered to own a home and a few toys around 15 years ago and he is about to celebrate his 83rd birthday – that’s a late bloomer right there.
I choose to believe that every day is a blessing and it doesn’t matter how much shit you have accumulated and surrounded yourself with, we are all just one slip-up from homelessness.
All it takes is a slight miscalculation at a long lunch with your alcohol intake and you bowl some poor unsuspecting soul over and wham you’re in the clink. Or a relationship breakdown leading to substance abuse and bang, your car becomes your home.
I also choose to believe in the silver lining, for instance I was running the four visitor centres around the Hepburn Shire back in 2007 when the American housing bubble took down the world economy. We noticed an uptick in visitation to the area, folks still needed to get away, and we are a one-tank destination.
In all our towns we have festivals and new visitor experiences on offer like the bike tracks in Creswick, Clunes Booktown, the Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Festival, the newly revamped Daylesford Rex, the Palais Hepburn opening and even the third-largest recorded tree in Trentham. A manna gum I think.
So, buck up, turn off the TV and enjoy our wonderful autumn.
False speculative news rant over…

The big news and rumours of early ’26 have been confirmed with the Palais Hepburn’s opening gigs locked in and tickets available in mid March.
For a town which has had its share of false starts, from an abundance of music venues only 18 months or so ago to next to zero, this is welcome news.
I was lucky enough to view the progress in the weeks leading up to the opening, one of the town’s many recent exciting makeovers.
Palais Hepburn has locked in some great shows for April with tickets now on sale via the events section on its Facebook page.
The first gig is an open night with free live music on Wednesday, April 8. Doors open from 6.30pm with music from 7.30pm – for a chance to try out the new sounds system.
The Palais Hepburn website says: “Given the occasion, we thought we should get one of Australia’s truly legendary drummers to really test everything, so Gil Matthews is bringing his band MRB (The Marty Rose Band) along for a great mix of songs.
“MRB are Gil Matthews on drums (Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs/Mondo Rock/The Party Boys), Pip Joyce on guitar (Glenn Shorrock band/Brian Cadd band/Russell Morris band), Jo Imbrol on bass (John Farnham band/Ian Moss band/Goanna) and Marty Rose on keyboards (Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter band/Olivia Newton-John band).
“And to really help us test the sound, the band is bringing legendary saxophone player Paul Gatcum (Lou Reed band/The Black Sorrows).
“This should give us a good selection of well played instruments to see how it sounds. No tickets needed. MRB will play two sets: 7.30pm to 8.15pm and 8.45pm to 9.30pm.”
Other gigs happening in April are Chocolate Starfish on Saturday, April 11, One Of Those Nights on Sunday, April 12, The Stars (1976-2026) on Friday, April 17, Songs In The Key Of Life: Stevie Wonder Songbook Experience on Friday, April 24 and Normie Rowe & The Original Playboys on Saturday, April 25 (Anzac Day).
“To have Normie Rowe playing on Anzac Day at Hepburn Palais is special. Whilst most people know Normie as Australia’s single biggest pop star during the 1960’s, Normie is also a renowned Vietnam vet who was conscripted into the army at the height of his fame, serving as a trooper and crew commander in the Vietnam War during 1969 with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment.
“This initial announcement of artists is just the tip of what we have planned for 2026, with an array of original artists, country music stars, comedy legends, and musical theatre all just about locked in.”
Words: Darren Lowe | Image: Kyle Barnes

Day two of Clunes Booktown Festival kicks off on Sunday 22 March, with a feast of activities for readers, storytellers and music lovers.
The festival’s massive 20th anniversary party kicked off with perfect weather conditions and about 8,500 visitors on Saturday. Highlights included lifelong environmental activist Bob Brown (Defiance), Hear Me Roar – Fearless Female Characters in Crime Fiction with Vikki Petraitis, Fiona Hardy and Adrian Hyland, and Real Pigeons creators Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood leading a “Birds of Booktown” children’s parade through the Kids Village.
In the evening, Castlemaine’s Kim Collins took out the annual Bob McKinnon prize, named after the late poet, sculptor, writer and Clunes stalwart, in the Poetry Slam. Gomeroi astrophysicist Krystal De Napoli closed the night with an enthralling Night Sky Dreaming event.
There’s another amazing day ahead on Sunday with events including:

●Fighting the Tide: historical fiction authors Toni Jordan (Tenderfoot, Addition), Marion Taffe (By Her Hand) and Jock Serong (Cherrywood, The Settlement) discuss characters navigating a hostile world.
●How to Live and Die Well with screenwriter and playwright Marieke Hardy (From The Heart: Women of Letters, You’ll be Sorry When I’m Dead), Hannah Gould (How to Die in the 21st Century) and Antonia Pont (Plain Life).
●First Time Lucky will explore the new wave of romance writing with Emma Mugglestone (In The Long Run), Holly Brunnbauer (What Did I Miss?), Darcy Green (After The Siren) and Cynthia Timoti (How to Find a Guy In Five Weddings).
●Writer and academic Dennis Altman, human rights lawyer Paula Gerber and biographer Jill Blee will discuss the struggle for equal rights in Defiantly Queer.
●It’s Too Damn Hot! – Climate change in focus with marine environmentalist and author of eight novels Paul E Hardisty, filmmaker Alex Kelly and Andrew Reeves.
●Roving performances by The Hopefuls, The Funky Lizards and Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts.
In the kids village, free events include storytime with Miles Franklin winner Sofie Laguna and family games with Ballarat writer Jack Henseleit (Family Camping Games). Festival entry is $15 (free for locals and children under 16). Entry includes live music and Kids Village activities including the Hay Bale Maze. For the full program and tickets visit clunesbooktown.org.au

All images supplied by Sharon Hughes of Ash + Elm Studios
@ashandelmstudios
www.ashandelmstudios.com.au

“The nicest street” in Daylesford is about to be unveiled.
At a cost of $2-$3 million Eddy and Malinka Comelli, and business partners and artists David and Yuge Bromley, are transforming the Rex Shopping Arcade into an avenue resembling the relaxed and colour-filled lanes of Eddy’s Italian childhood.
Today a visitor is met by the sound of 15 workers drilling, sawing and hammering as the place takes shape two weeks before opening day.
Much of this design came from the partnership’s imaginations. With some help, they designed the “street”.
What cannot be denied is the apparent craftsmanship and attention to detail. Handsome Australian oak frames the doors and windows of the shops and businesses.
Stepping inside, a visitor first sees Spanish tiles that echo those of the historic facade on the Stockdale & Leggo office next door, as does the nearby leadlight.
Moving down the now narrowed stretch, Eddy describes the tenants new to the building: a jeweller, chocolate maker and florist, plus a health and beauty specialist, and a children’s clothes maker, including country and western style.

The aim is for17 shops, with space remaining for six or seven, possibly including a street café.
Light floods in from the rear windows, with steps below leading to a mezzanine floor for Bromley’s works and a door to his external sculpture gallery.
Yuge Bromley says that at the end of Easter the Bromley Gallery at 45a Vincent Street will close after 12 years, the longest it has been in one space. Ten days later, on April 17, it will reopen in the Rex building.
“All going well we will have a launch event at the end of May.” Tiles from Italy are still being awaited, she says.
“Up to 30 tradespeople worked here at any one time and the glass installer said it was the best site he had seen in 30 years.”
An internationally renowned muralist raised in Hepburn Springs has completed 80 per cent of the rear wall, replacing graffiti and broken glass. Visitors arriving at the carpark will see a handsome work by Kitt Bennett, now based in Melbourne, and who has 160,000 Instagram followers. He recently finished a work in Qatar (with luck it may survive the war).
The attention to detail even extends to the cinema toilet, with its handsome frosted glass. The nearby first floor beauty salon of about 120 square metres has a fine view through four large restored sash windows.
In a shire where many hard words are said against the council it’s a little refreshing to hear Eddy’s view. “The council has been very good,” he says. “They helped, from the top down.”
Talking of his Italian background and inspiration for the place, Eddy goes on to explain what he gets from annual visits to his birthplace in northern Italy. He plans to return there with his family in October for his 70th birthday.
Beyond the Rex work, the Bromleys have been flat-out planning an Easter egg hunt. Fifty hand-painted timber eggs will be hidden around town on Thursday, half of them with special prizes including five golden eggs with valuable art works as prizes.
Clues will be on the Bromley & Co website and their gallery will display a map showing the “hot” and “warm” spots as a guide to where eggs are hidden. Egg hunters will have a week to find them.

Words: Kevin Childs | Images: Kye Barnes (More images at tlnews.com.au)

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging bushfire affected farmers to access recovery support as it passes two months since the blazes brought significant impacts to agriculture and communities.

Agriculture Recovery Manager Sarah Wallis said farmers are navigating short, medium and long term recovery, and Agriculture Victoria staff are here every step of the way.

‘We know that all farming businesses are unique and recovery will depend on many factors and occur at different paces. We want to remind farmers that support is available.

‘Our staff are on the ground in local communities, partnering with local shires and other support services, to provide farm management advice, and chat with farmers, their families and the community.

‘Recovery staff are also at events providing farmers with technical advice on a wide range of topics including managing and feeding livestock, pasture recovery, managing and protecting farm water supplies, farm mapping and re-fencing.’

Financial assistance is also available:

• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises. Funding can be used for essential recovery activities such as disposing of stock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations

• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income. Funding can be used to cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.

Apply for grant at Rural Finance.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) can help with grant applications including eligibility questions, alongside their free and independent financial information, decision-making support and referral services to farmers. RFCS can be contacted on 1300 771 741.

‘Support is here for farmers, families, and rural communities feeling stressed or overwhelmed, and we encourage anyone seeking support to get in contact with the services available’, said Ms Wallis.

Wellbeing Counsellors offer free, confidential support and are available to visit bushfire-affected producers and their families at their property or over the phone. To access the support of a specialist wellbeing counsellor, call the RFCS on 1300 771 741.

For more information on available supports, visit our Bushfires page.

An Australian freshwater catfish has been dubbed ‘Wanda’ after a remarkable wander across four northern Victorian waterways.

Freshwater catfish are generally considered a non-migratory species, which means most usually live, breed, and feed in a small stretch of waterway or in a lagoon.

However, a tagged catfish recorded at the Koondrook Fishway on Gunbower Creek in October 2023 showed up in the Loddon River’s Kerang Fishway in December 2024.

That’s a journey of about 140km, from Gunbower Creek to the Murray River, down the Little Murray River, into the Loddon River, and down to the Kerang Weir.

“That’s our best guess on the route it took, and it’s also the shortest possible route, which is usually the most likely,” North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Native Fish Recovery Plan Project Manager Dr Peter Rose said.

“That’s a remarkable journey for a fish species that rarely goes further than five kilometres from home.

“We’ve dubbed it a Fish called Wanda as it certainly has been wandering.”

The fish went through at least three fishways on its journeys, structures Dr Rose said are vital for the survival of native fish in the region.

“Fishways are built alongside weirs and allow fish to travel up and down stream without any barriers,” he said.

“We have worked with Goulburn Murray Water, the Arthur Rylah Institute, First Nations peoples, and other stakeholders to build a range of these fishways in our northern waterways as part of our Native Fish Recovery Plan.

“As a result, we have opened up more than 1000 kilometres of waterways for large-bodied fish such as native freshwater catfish, silver and golden perch, and Murray cod.

“Most of our fishways include tag readers, which allow us to get a clear picture of how far native fish, including Wanda, travel.”

Dr Wayne Koster of the Arthur Rylah Institute said the construction of fishways was just one way governments were working together to protect native fish.

“Such large movements are considered unusual for freshwater catfish but highlight the importance of measures such as fishways and environmental flows to enhance connectivity between regions,” he said.

The Native Fish Recovery Plan has been supported by the Victorian Government’s Climate Action’s Nature Fund and Building Works Capital Stimulus Package, ARI, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Native Fish Recovery Strategy, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH), Goulburn Murray Water, and the Tri State Alliance – a group of seven natural resource bodies along the Murray from Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia.

Geelong-based HealthRFID is driving local job creation and opening up foreign markets through the development of its BloodControl technology, that makes delivering blood test result easier.

At HealthRFID’s Breakwater HQ, BloodControl has led to the creation of seven new jobs.

HealthRFID used state government investment across multiple functions of the business, from software development and hardware engineering to business analysis, marketing and business development.

BloodControl uses Radio Frequency Identification RFID technology to track bloods and ensure patients receive more reliable results, faster.

Featuring software and scanning hardware, the system allows hospitals and pathology labs to more efficiently track blood specimens as they progress through the logistics chain.

The software is now receiving interest from lucrative foreign markets, such as the US and Middle East, where it has the potential to be adapted for use in forensic, anatomy and crime labs.

This also driving other investments and more job opportunities in Geelong, by further strengthening the city’s reputation as a health technologies and advanced manufacturing hub.

HealthRFID’s BloodControl project is part of the government’s commitment to funding projects that support jobs and business growth in regional Victoria. Regional hubs like Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo are enjoying low unemployment at under 4 per cent.

Eight more providers to keep kids engaged in sport have been announced.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll announced another the providers who will help students stay engaged and on track through sport, in addition to foiur providers announced last year.

More than 30 priority schools will be funded and can book programs ahead of a Menu going live to all schools.

These schools can choose from 25 extracurricular activities – run by 12 organisations which are:

• The Huddle, run by North Melbourne Football Club

• Academy Movement
• Blue Light Victoria
• Centre for Multicultural Youth
• Cricket Victoria
• Foundation House
• L2R Dance
• Melbourne City Football Club
• Melbourne Storm Football Club
• Melbourne Victory Football Club
• TeamSports4All
• Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.

Before, during and after school activities will be available, as well as school holiday activities.

The activities aim to prevent boredom and isolation, discouraging at-risk children from turning to crime by:

• Attending school more regularly, and remaining connected to positive experiences during school holidays

• Building confidence and boosting self-esteem

• Feeling calmer and more ready to learn

• Practicing social skills like respect, teamwork, communication and problem-solving.

More providers will be added in consultation with schools.

The Menu is part of the state government’s Violence Reduction Unit, focused on stopping crime before it starts.

This investment builds on the Violence Reduction Unit’s Early Intervention Officers in 23 schools, changing the lives of children heading down the wrong path and keeping the community safe.

Learn how to manage trees and shrubs for conservation and profit at the Southern Otways Master TreeGrower course

Want to grow and manage trees for multiple outcomes such as fire prevention, shelter, profit, conservation, or carbon but don’t know where to begin? Would you like to know how vegetation can be used to increase productivity and diversify income with products like sawlogs, native cut flowers, firewood or even shiitake mushrooms and truffles?

The Master TreeGrower course was developed by Forest Scientist and Otway local Rowan Reid in 1996. The course has been delivered around Australia and overseas involving more than 2500 participants.  Mr Reid’s passion for agroforestry led him to establish the Australian Agroforestry Foundation (AAF). The AAF is a not-for-profit organisation committed to providing education and extension support to help farmers, and their supporters, develop and sustain ‘forests’ within the Australian agricultural landscape that reflect their interests and aspirations through their involvement with the Otway Agroforestry Network (OAN) and the Australian Master TreeGrower Program (MTG).

“The Master TreeGrower course is about empowering the local community and land managers to make informed decisions by exploring the possibilities and markets that exist around trees, and applying the information gained from experts, peers and other participants to meet their own aspirations,” course co-coordinator Becky McCann said.“Information sharing is key, and the course encourages questions, discussion and experiential learning. The course is suitable for beginners through to more experienced growers.

Hosted by the Southern Otway Landcare Network in partnership with the Otway Agroforestry Network (OAN), the eight-day course kicks off with a free information day and farm walk on Friday 1st May in Apollo Bay. 

“The introductory session introduces agroforestry and highlights the endless possibilities and benefits trees, and tree products offer. If people like what they see on the 1st May, they can register to undertake the eight-day course to become a Master Tree Grower in their own right. You do not have to own land to participate and to gain some great skills,” said Ms McCann.

The Apollo Bay-based course will run throughout winter, shifting throughout the Southern Otway region and driven by participant needs and interests. Topics include growing trees to produce products and services; thinning and pruning; maximising productivity through shade and shelter; carbon and biodiversity; measuring trees and products; choosing species; accessing markets; property planning and revegetation design.

The MTG course is funded by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) Diverse Farms, Resilient Catchments project, which is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

Southern Otway Landcare Network Master TreeGrower Course FREE Introductory Session

Friday 1st May, 9:30am – 4pm (includes lunch and snacks).
Apollo Bay (address to be provided upon RSVP).

An opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ – 

see what it’s all about before committing to the 8-day course.
Afternoon walk with landholder, please wear appropriate footwear and clothing as it may be wet and or hilly terrain.
Course cost: $440 plus OAN membership ($88).

Student / Financial hardship cost: $220 plus OAN membership ($88).

Couple cost: $660 plus OAN membership ($88).

All welcome! You do not have to have land to do this course and gain some great skills.

RSVP for the Free Introductory Day with any dietary requirements by Friday 24 April.

For more information and to RSVP, contact:

Southern Otway Landcare Network:  Abby Imhoff, abby.landcare.soln.org, (03) 5218 8011

Otway Agroforestry Network: Becky McCann, mtg@oan.oan.org.au,

Families in Bendigo now have a safe place to call home as the Big Housing Build delivers more homes.

The Premier, Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards have opened the Uniting Bendigo site.

Seventy-three new, energy efficient and modern homes are now ready for families to move in.

Locals have started moving into the one and two-bedroom homes, built on underused land around a church.

Out of the 73 homes, 75 per cent are for people on the priority housing waitlist.

Priority access is for families who are homeless, living with disability, over 55 years of age, in unsuitable housing, victim-survivors of family violence or whose home is no longer habitable after an emergency.

The homes are walking distance to shops and services in central Bendigo, as well as Bendigo Station.

The state and federal governments worked together to deliver this project.

In Greater Bendigo alone more than $320 million will deliver 648 new homes, with 172 already complete.

It is easier for Victorians in Melbourne’s west to access free mental health care, when and where they need it.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt and Member for Werribee John Lister has opened the new Wyndham Mental Health and Wellbeing Local site in Werribee.

The statewide network of Locals provides support and treatment for adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress.

Importantly, to access care at a Local – you don’t need a Medicare card or GP referral and services are completely free.

Locals act as a ‘front door’ to the system making them an important tool in early intervention.

The network of Locals has already helped more than 35,000 Victorians.

Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals, wellbeing staff and peer support workers.

The Werribee Local will provide communities in Melbourne’s west with a range of clinical and wellbeing mental health supports, both in-person and via telehealth.

The service is one of 22 Locals operating across 24 locations statewide.

Services at the Werribee local are delivered by cohealth in partnership with Mercy Health.

Located 1-13 Watton Street, Werribee, the Wyndham Local is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Birregurra residents will now benefit from a new automated library kiosk for easy borrowing and pick-ups.

Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos has opened the new $38,000 facility, which would greatly expand library options for those living in the area.

The state government invested $25,332 towards the project, while the Geelong Regional Library Corporation invested $12,666.

The library kiosk will support library programs such as Early Years Story Time and partnerships with the kindergarten, Colac Area Health, and the Colac Otway Shire.

Library kiosks are a cost-effective model for the future of regional library services and strengthen literacy, lifelong learning, digital inclusion, and community engagement.

The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program helps Victorian councils and regional library corporations provide high quality library infrastructure to meet their communities’ changing needs.

Funding supports projects that deliver and demonstrate benefits for the community and aim to improve engagement and access to learning opportunities.

Upgrade works on Melton Highway are now complete, giving motorists in Melbourne’s outer west smoother and safer journeys.

The state government has delivered the project one month ahead of schedule, with an extra lane now open in each direction between Crown Drive and The Regency.

The upgrade is improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on a key arterial road in one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing areas.

New safety barriers and street lighting have been installed along the upgraded section, while shared walking and cycling paths have been extended and connected to the existing path network on the south side of Melton Highway.

Works are continuing nearby on the Melton Highway and Leakes Road Intersection Upgrade, which is now entering its final stages.

This upgrade will align the northern and southern approaches of Leakes Road to create a traditional crossroad intersection, with new turning lanes, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings to improve safety and traffic movement.

These improvements will help ensure the road network keeps pace with the City of Melton’s growing population, which is projected to exceed 400,000 residents by 2050.

For more information, visit transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/projects/melton-highway-infill-duplication.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is updating the Junortoun Flood Study to bring it into line with the latest climate change data and residential growth across the eastern Bendigo suburb.

The North Central CMA will work with the Junortoun community, the City of Greater Bendigo, and local schools, businesses, and residents as part of the $300,000 update.

North Central CMA Strategy and Partnerships Executive Manager Rohan Hogan said the current flood study was completed more than a decade ago.

“A lot has changed in Junortoun since then. It has been a real growth suburb for the city, so the time is right to incorporate those changes into an updated study,” he said.

“We’ll take a deep dive into impacts of increased rainfall intensity from climate change, consideration of development on water flow, how Splitter’s Creek copes with it, and what can be done to mitigate flood risks.

“The finished study will be incorporated into planning and emergency decision making to ensure the best information in available to those who need it.”

Mr Hogan said climate change was a key factor on the impact of floods across the city.

“Most of our communities are well aware of the impact of climate change on their homes and the places they love,” he said.

“They have seen it and experienced it first-hand.

“What’s important now is to incorporate the latest climate change data into the Junortoun Flood Study, so residents and councils have the best information possible.

“We’ll also investigate a range of options to mitigate flood risk and will work with community and City of Greater Bendigo to plan for the future.”

Mr Hogan said a community reference committee will be set up to guide the flood study, which is expected to be completed by mid-to-late 2027.

The Junortoun Flood Study is being funded by the Victorian Government.

The state government is continuing to back Victoria’s vibrant multicultural communities by keeping festivals and events affordable for working families.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt has launched the 2026–27 Multicultural Festivals and Events Program.

With event costs rising, the program will help groups celebrate their proud cultures without added financial pressure.

Multicultural organisations can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 for smaller community events to $50,000 to host events of all sizes.

An additional $1 million will be available to support events held across rural and regional Victoria.

The program ensures equitable access for groups that may otherwise face barriers to delivering events.

Events must be free, inclusive, accessible and culturally safe – with alignment to the Victorian Values Statement and commitment to social cohesion.

It’s now more important than ever that we come together, learn from one another to strengthen understanding and respect.

Applications are now open and close on 17 April 2026.

For more information and to apply for the grant, visit vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-and-events-program