Council
5 August, 2026
Funds flow under grants programs
COMMUNITY groups across the Corangamite Shire have received a funding boost thanks to council’s various grant programs which were approved last week.
Councillors voted to approve a total of 86 applications across four grant programs at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, allocating a total of $195,698.
A fifth grant program – the Enabling Grants, which provides funding to community groups to develop ‘shovel-ready’ projects – will be rolled over as the $20,000 allocation was not utilised in this round.
The vote on the grants programs saw a number of councillors leaving the room due to a conflict of interest, which changed with each program.
Deputy mayor councillor Laurie Hickey said the number of conflicts of interest showed the dedication of councillors to their communities throughout a variety of organisations.
“This is a good reflection of how we as a shire are supporting our residents through a number of different organisations, event and festivals, and opportunities for communities to come together and celebrate all good things within their environment,” he said.
The Community Grants Program, which provides grants of up to $2000 towards community projects, activities or events, development of new community, leisure, cultural or recreational programs, workshops, planning activities and the purchase of equipment, saw a total of 26 applications.
The total ask from this program was $46,508 against a budget of $50,000, leaving $3492 to be reallocated to an oversubscribed program.
A further five applications were received, with one moved into the Environmental Support program, two not accepted due to being second applications from the same group, and two were considered duplicates after being transferred to the Events and Festivals program.
Timboon Entertainment, Arts and Music received $2000 to go towards Carols in the Amphitheatre, while the Simpson and District Community Centre received $2000 for a community Christmas event.
South Western Model Engineers, whose volunteers run the Cobden Miniature Railway, applied for $2000 towards an ATV trailer with a 400-litre water tank and firefighting kit, while the Corangamite Film Society will be able to host a six-day Iranian film festival across the shire thanks to a $2000 grant.
Council approved $2000 for the Cobden and District Historical Society for their 40-year celebration and an antiques roadshow, as well as $1491 for Timboon Field and Game to get three gazebos and portable seating.
Timboon Action Group received $2000 for their Railway Gazette subsidy, while the Ecklin Community Hall received $1000 towards a community trivia night.
A total of 29 applicants received funding under the Facility Grants program, which equalled an ask of $49,202 – leaving $798 from the program budget of $50,000 for reallocation.
The program aims to provide financial assistance to committees of management to improve council’s halls and recreation reserves, with grants of up to $2000 available.
An additional two submissions were received for the Facility Grant, which were deemed ineligible due to being proposed under a different grants program within the same financial year.
Carpendeit Public Hall and Recreation Reserve received $550 towards upgrading a portable barbecue, while the Cobden and District Historical Society, auspiced by Progressing Cobden, received $2000 towards the replacement of windows at Old Chocolyn Hall.
The Cobden and District Tennis Association were granted $654 towards a cupboard for equipment and resources, while the Cobden Recreation Reserve Committee were granted $2000 for the construction of two coaches’ boxes.
Heytesbury District Landcare Network will work on a community nursery upgrade thanks to a grant of $2000, while the Heytesbury Princetown Cricket Club will be able to go through with the Timboon Recreation Reserve cricket net upgrade thanks to a $2000 grant.
The Port Campbell Public Purpose Reserve Committee applied for a $2000 grant towards basketball and netball hoops, while Progressing Cobden will receive $1234 towards the purchase of a laptop.
The Scotts Creek and Cowleys Creek Public Hall received $2000 for a kitchen appliance upgrade, while the Simpson Bowls Club received $2000 towards blinds for the club house.
South Western District Restoration Group received $2000 towards a clubroom kitchen divider wall, and South Western Model Engineers received $611 for the purchase of an insect zapper.
Timboon Field and Game were successful in applying for two separate grants under this program, one for $2000 for a new Orion trap and another for $2000 for a new Scorpio Chondel trap.
Timboon Action Group received $384 for the purchasing of marquees, Timboon Recreation Reserve Committee received $2000 for bench seating and the Heytesbury Equestrian Club received $2000 for repair and building of horse yards.
The Environment Support Grants program, which provides financial assistance of up to $3000 to community groups, organisations and individuals to undertake environmental and sustainability projects within the Corangamite Shire, saw 17 applications.
The applications represent a total funding ask of $45,988 against a budget of $50,000, which resulted in $4012 being available for reallocation.
One additional grant was transferred over from the Community Grants Program, while one grant was deemed ineligible as it provided a direct benefit to an individual.
Scouts Victoria received $3000 towards the revegetation of Brucknell Scout Park, while the Timboon P-12 Timboon Agriculture Project received $3000 towards the tapping into water efficiencies in their kitchen garden project.
Heytesbury District Landcare Network applied for $3000 towards their seeds grow on tree project, while Dennis and Robyn Rosolin applied for $3000 to plant shelter trees on their farm.
Cherie Byrne was also among recipients, receiving $2025 towards regenerative planting of her farmland, while the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail Committee of Management were granted $2700 towards weed control on the rail trail.
The Events and Festivals Grants also saw strong uptake, with 14 applicants totalling $54,000.
The program, which aims to encourage cultural tourism and economic activity, increase visitation and assist the development and growth of new and existing events, provides both cash contributions and in-kind support which can range from venue hire to fee waivers.
Local events and festivals – which attract audiences of up to 2000 people and celebrate local culture, towns and streets – can receive up to $3000, while signature events – which attract audiences in excess of 2000 and showcase the whole shire – are funded on a triennial basis for up to $7000
Port Campbell’s Crayfest is among the three events which have been automatically approved under a simplified application, receiving $7000 for next year’s event.
Crayfest shares its recognition and automatic approval with Camperdown’s Robert Burns Celtic Festival and the Colour Terang Festival.
An additional eight applications were received for the program, with two being for seasonal community activities and deemed ineligible – council, however, voted to consider an additional budget allocation for the 2026-2027 program to enable seasonal activities to become eligible.
One application was withdrawn as the event is no longer being held, while four were not recommended as they did not meet the grant program guidelines.
The Port Campbell Progress Group Sustainable Port Campbell received $3000 of support for the 2027 Sense of Belonging Festival, while Red Hill Public Hall was provided with $3000 of support for their 2027 Music on the Hill event.
The Cobden Recreation Reserve Committee received support totalling $3000 towards this year’s Cobden Gift, while Heytesbury Equestrian Club received $3000 towards the Heytesbury Horse Trials in 2027.
Councillor Ruth Gstrein said she believed the funding would go a long way towards supporting the tireless efforts of volunteers whose efforts provide an economic boost for towns throughout the shire.
“There’s 86 applicants and just under $200,000 has been allocated to those organisations,” she said.
“I think it just shows the depth and breadth of our volunteers across Corangamite Shire.
“Some of the grants aren’t enormous amounts of money but they certainly make a difference.
“You’ve got to fry a lot of sausages to make $2000 these days so I hope these small amounts do help.
“I’m happy for these dollars to be spent locally – we’re always talking to government how we can get best value out of funding that they give us, and I think these community committees do the same for us.”