The Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging members of the community to check out its Community Grants Program with round three of the program currently open to receive applications until April 29.

The program supports community-based projects and initiatives that enhance the social, environmental and economic life of the Hepburn Shire.

Community Grants can help community groups to implement projects that promote community wellbeing, increase social connection and build capacity for leadership and independence.

Funding is awarded for projects and initiatives that show community benefit and align with one or more of the focus areas in the council plan up to a value of $5,000. 

Further information is available via the council’s website.

The Hepburn shire council’s latest community grants round is expected to support sustainability initiatives, protect heritage, encourage sport and recreation, boost children’s programs, support local agriculture, enhance events … and more.  

Councillors recently met with representatives from the successful groups to congratulate them on receiving the first round of community grants for 2024.  

“We are very pleased to award more than $17,000 to community groups who are doing fantastic work in their communities,” said. Hepburn shire mayor Cr Brian Hood.

“These funds complement the extraordinary contribution of volunteers who support so many important events and programs in our shire,” he said. 

“Their hard work continues to enhance the social, environmental and economic life of our shire.” 

Representatives from the successful community groups, councillors and council staff met at the historic Trentham Railway Station to celebrate and acknowledge the recipients for Round 1 in 2023/24.  

Over 30 members of the local community groups were able to attend this event. One of the grant recipients for Round 1 was the Trentham Rail and Tram Association, who manage the historic Trentham Railway Station site.

The successful projects in this Round 1 are: 

• Creswick Neighbourhood Centre – Lift-up for all – $1,500 
• Clunes and District Agricultural Society – Outdoor games for children – $1,850 
• Trentham Rail and Tram Association – Heritage Preservation Storage – $4,910 
• Daylesford and District Agricultural Society – Purchase of Marquees, tables, and Chairs – $2,100 
• Trentham Sustainability Group – Purchase of items for Trentham Fashion Swap – $1,897 
• Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club – Replacement Ride-on lawn Mower – $5,000 

The community grants program enables eligible community groups to access funds in three rounds annually across six categories that support a range of community needs. 

“I strongly encourage community groups to get involved and apply for future rounds,” Cr Hood said.