Community
4 December, 2025
Groups cash in on shire’s fast funds
COMMUNITY groups from across the region cashed in under the latest round of Corangamite Shire Council’s Ready Now Grants.
The Ready Now Grants program offers small allocations of up to $500 for volunteer-based community groups which heighten inclusion and participation through beneficial programs, projects or activities.
Among the groups to cash in on the funding between July and September, which council noted at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, was the Noorat Recreation Reserve Trustees ($500 towards line marking for stairwells) and the Darlington Mechanics Institute and Recreation Reserve Hall ($500 towards a kitchen cabinet).
Cobrico Hall Committee, Rotary Club of Terang, Terang Men’s Shed and Cooinda Terang were also among funding recipients, cashing in $200 for RUOK Day events.
Councillor Nick Cole moved the motion to note the report, praising the big difference a small grant can make.
“I have moved this one a few times and I keep saying the same thing – I think these are excellent programs for small community bodies to be able to access funds quickly to do all sorts of things,” he said.
“There’re line markings at the Noorat Recreation Reserve – all sorts of small things but they mean a lot to a small community.
“A lot of small communities are struggling to raise funds at the moment – everything seems to have tightened up a lot.
“I will note we’ve expended so far $6800 and we still have $18,200 to go, so there is plenty more money out there to access if someone has something they are thinking about doing.
“They’re only small amounts of money but please put in for it, get the money there, get the job done and use local tradies as much as possible or shop locally.”
Councillor Ruth Gstrein as seconder said the grants made a difference at a time when budgets were tight.
“There’s a lot of really good projects and equipment being purchased,” she said.
“People are certainly doing it much harder – community organisations, particularly volunteers.
“I’d like to also note a significant number of projects were awarded money for the RUOK Day, which is a really good initiative.”
Councillors voted unanimously to note the latest round of allocations.
To learn more about Ready Now Grants program or to apply visit https://www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Community/Grants-and-funding/ReadyNowGrants.
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