Some big things are headed to Victoria’s tiniest towns with new support through the state’s Tiny Towns Fund set to make some of the smallest communities even better locales to live, work and discover.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas last Friday welcomed the announcement that Round
2 of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund was opening for applications from Monday, 26 August.

Grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 will be available through Regional Development Victoria to boost tourism, liveability and community pride in towns with up to 5,000 people.

From new barbecues, bike tracks and walking trails to club and community hall upgrades, the
grants will support towns to bring to life projects that celebrate community spirit and make a
positive difference to locals.

The first round of the Tiny Towns Fund is already supporting more than 200 projects in 181
towns across regional Victoria and interface councils – with $7 million provided to projects
that matter to local communities.

Townships that have not yet received a Tiny Towns grant, or that have worthy project ideas
to boost community resilience, recovery and economic growth, are encouraged to come
forward in this round.

The application process has also been updated to make it even easier for smaller, volunteer-run community groups to apply.

The fund is a part of the Labor Government’s record $45 billion investment since 2014 in
projects and programs that support regional and rural Victoria.

For more information those keen to know more can visit rdv.vic.gov.au/tinytownsfund or
suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au/grants/tiny-towns-fund online.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “The Tiny Towns Fund empowers small communities to thrive, ensuring projects that locals are passionate about can become a reality.

“I’m looking forward to the tiny towns across the Macedon electorate stepping forward with great ideas for projects that celebrate community connection and ensure they continue to shine brightly as welcoming destinations for visitors.”

Round 1 had thirteen successful applications in the electorate of Macedon:

• Lyonville Hall Community Asset Committee received $50,000 for upgrades to the
  Lyonville Hall to improve accessibility and increase use
• Hepburn Shire Council received $44,970 for the installation of outdoor fitness
  equipment at the Trentham sports ground
• Hepburn Shire Council received $37,500 for the installation of an accessible
  equestrian mounting ramp, landing area and path at the Glenlyon Recreation
  Reserve
• Hepburn Shire Council received $50,000 for the development of a master plan for
  the Victoria Park Reserve in Daylesford
• Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve Committee of Management received $16,000 for
  an upgrade of the BMX track at the Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve.
• Kyneton District Business and Tourism Association received $10,000 for the
  development of a Town Centre Activation Plan for Malmsbury
• Macedon Ranges Halls Inc received $42,000 for the Lauriston Community Hall
  upgrades including landscaping, seating, car parking and play area
• Mount Alexander Shire Council received $50,000 for new playground equipment,
  BBQ, picnic table, and landscaping at the Fryerstown Public Park
• Malmsbury Fire Brigade received $29,104 for the installation of a community and
  visitor information screen at Malmsbury
• Macedon Community House received $38,840 for a community capacity building
  project for local horticulture and permaculture education
• Newham Mechanics Institute received $8,170 for flooring upgrades at the Mechanics
  Institute in Newham
• Tourism Macedon Ranges received $10,000 for the development of a Town Centre
  Activation Plan for Riddells Creek
• Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Reserve Committee of Management received
  $50,000 for new interpretive facilities at the Mt Macedon Memorial Cross
  
  

IT’S time to crack out your cake tins and whip out the wooden spoon as Lyonville gets set to host its big bake off fundraiser on Sunday, October 23.

After a pandemic-induced break, the Lyonville Hall Community Asset Committee is hungry to again hold the Lyonville Bake Off, raising funds for the historic hall’s upkeep.

The committee’s Dot Fuller says there are six entry categories for budding or wellseasoned cooks alike to sink their teeth into.

“We’ve got categories for kids under 12, decorated cakes, general cakes, cupcakes and slices, tarts and pies, and a special dietary category which is a new category,” Dot says.

“So there’s lots of opportunity for enthusiasts to enter their baking creations and be in the running to win a rosette and a prize voucher. We’d also encourage anyone who has a speciality to enter on the day. We’ve already had one man enquire about entering croissants.”

Dot says that the first bake off was held back in 2015 and since then the Lyonville event has proven its popularity with those who like to bake – and those who like to eat.

 “There definitely are some talented cooks out there and we often have a bit of friendly competition between past winners. I’d encourage anyone to enter. Your entry doesn’t need to be professional or polished. It’s an opportunity for the community to come together. This is a community event run solely by volunteers with all proceeds going to the upkeep and improvement of the Lyonville Hall.”

Once the panel of judges have made their decisions on the day and the winners are announced, the winning entries are then auctioned off to the highest bidders. Hungry attendees also have the chance to buy slices of any of the other baked entries at the bake off cake stall.

 “Our cake stall on the day is an opportunity to sit down and have a tea or a coffee from our baristas as well,” Dot says. Those keen to enter can email Dot at dottifuller@gmail.com

 Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes