Skills and achievements of younger Victorians will be on show right across the state later this year at a month-long festival supported by the state government.

Grants of $2000 are now available for youth organisations, local government and schools in
Macedon to partner with Victorians aged 12 to 25 in creating youth-specific events. But the chance to secure one will close soon.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said funding of $220,000 would be available for
up to 110 events that will be designed for and by young Victorians.

Youth Fest kicks off in September, with the investment aimed at supporting young people to organise
and deliver events, showcase their skills, share ideas, build social connections, and expand their networks.

In 2023, the Youth Fest program funded 111 activities including those focused on art, music,
sport and theatre, as well as recreational and community festivals, giving young Victorians
the chance to have their voices heard.

Applications are open until 15 March. To apply and to find out more about the grant program,
visit https://www.vic.gov.au/youth-fest-grants.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Victorian Youth Fest gives local young people the chance to forge connections not only with their peers but also their community, as well as to lead positive change.

One in every 11 jobs in regional Victoria exists because of tourism, and the state government says it aims to bring more regional tourism projects to life through its latest round of tourism funding.

The local member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas in recent days has launched the latest round of funding available through the Enabling Tourism Fund, which helps exciting regional tourism ideas get off the ground and ready for investment.

The new round of funding, announced last Friday, will make available up to $8 million to create a pipeline of more tourism infrastructure and more jobs.

Grants between $20,000 and $500,000 are open to tourism businesses, not-for-profit and Traditional
Owner organisations, and more.

The grants will be delivered in two streams: the first providing support to test the concept of a large
new infrastructure project like a feasibility study or masterplan.

The second stream funds detailed design packages, funding strategies or community engagement
plans. Both are vital to attracting greater investment and getting projects off paper.

The fund is guided by five priorities of experiences that Victoria does best – First Peoples-led experiences, wellness, arts and culture, food and drink, and nature.

Applications for the Enabling Tourism Fund are open until Friday, 28 March 2024 with more
information on the grants and the new guide available through the tourism.vic.gov.au website.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “From iconic Hanging Rock to spas and retreats in Daylesford and Hepburn, we know how amazing our local towns are for tourist visitors. These grants are an important step in welcoming more tourists, and supporting our local economy as we share our fantastic region with the world.”

The state government says it’s backing Victoria’s wildlife rescue volunteers so that sick, injured and orphaned native animals get the support they need.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas last week announced that applications for the 2023
Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants are now open for wildlife shelter operators and foster carers to access grants of up to $3,000.
The grants are hoped to help volunteer wildlife rehabilitators continue to care for thousands of native animals every year including kangaroos, koalas, possums, wombats, birds and reptiles.
Last year more than 100 wildlife carers and shelters across Victoria received the grants, helping to fund wildlife enclosures, medication, feed, rescue equipment and veterinary fees.
Since 2015, the Government has invested $5.2 million to support the work of, foster carers, authorised wildlife shelter operators and key wildlife organisations.
In a media statement, Ms Thomas said the funding of wildlife volunteers was underpinned by the state government’s Biodiversity 2037 strategy, a record investment of $582 million since 2014 – “the biggest investment into protecting biodiversity and environment in our state’s history”.
Those keen to learn more about the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants and to submit an application can visit wildlife.vic.gov.au/grants/wildlife-rehabilitator-grants. Applications close at 3:30pm on 15 September 2023.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “These grants are about helping the many dedicated volunteers who house, feed and care for our precious wildlife when they need it most.”

Unique Trentham business Path of The Horse is among those to benefit after the state government announced more than $1.4 million in funding for 55 projects offering practical support for the veteran community, statewide.
The funding, announced last week, is being distributed through three grant programs focused on veterans and their families.
Mary-Anne Thomas MP said she was proud that the following projects will each receive a $50,000 grant:
Path of the Horse, Main Arena Shed Building Project: Under the Veterans Capital Works Program, Path of the Horse in Trentham will increase the use of their existing facilities so that they can assist more Veterans and their families year-round, by establishing a covered area away from the existing arena. This will ensure they can work with multiple clients whilst maintaining privacy.
Riddells Creek Primary School and the Riddells Creek Lions Club: The Riddells Creek War Memorial.
The Riddells Creek War Memorial was installed in 1950 with a plaque detailing those who died in
WWII. It was opened by Sir Edmund Herring. It is the town’s sole war memorial. In 2000 the gates
were hit by a vehicle and were badly damaged. This application seeks to repair the gates, the
bluestone pillars and fence.

Across Victoria, there are a total of 31 projects receiving funding through the Veterans Capital Works
Grant Program, which funds facility upgrades of up to $50,000 for not-for-profit and ex-service organisations.
Another 13 organisations are sharing in more than $324,000 of funding through the Restoring
Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour Grant Program, which funds projects that
restore or improve war memorials, honour rolls and avenues of honour across our state.
There are also 11 organisations across the state receiving funding through the Victoria Remembers
Grant Program, which provides grants of up to $30,000 for projects commemorating veterans’
service or educating Victorians about the contributions that veterans and their families have made.
Applications for Victoria Remembers are assessed by the Victorian Veterans Council, an independent
body that provides advice to the Government on issues affecting the Victorian veteran community.
Mary-Anne Thomas, Member for Macedon: “This funding will help ensure we continue to honour the service and sacrifice of the veteran community in Macedon. I commend the Path of the Horse in Trentham and the Riddells Creek Lions Club and primary school, for their important work across our community.”