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n September, The Baw Baw Shire Council awarded almost $100,000 in community grants. These grants will help 25 not-for-profit organisations and associations throughout the shire.
Applications for this round of funding were accepted in July and will help fund sporting clubs, arts groups, and environmental and animal care organisations.
Mayor Annemarie McCabe noted that all these groups are “doing important work to foster community spirit.”
The 25 grant recipients include the Gippsland Umpires Association, the Drouin Men’s Shed, the Erica and District Historical Society Inc., and the Yarragon Arts Council.
The grant can assist these organisations in affording a range of different services, products, or events.
The Yarragon Arts Council received $4,900 to pay performers for the Yarragon Studio Festival. Likewise, the Warragul Farmers’ Market received funds to pay for entertainment for the Family-Fun Fair held in November.Other organisations will now be able to install security equipment, such as the Gippsland Umpires Association, or provide greater protection for their patrons through sun shades, like the Warragul Amateur Swimming Club Inc.
This program began in 2022 with grants awarded in 2023. Following this previous round of grants, the council reviewed the project through community engagement and surveys to ensure that the program was easily accessible and understandable for the community.
The criteria are laid out in the Community Grants Program Guidelines which can be accessed on the Baw Baw Shire website. This lays out who can apply, what can be funded, how the applications are assessed, how to apply and what documentation is needed.
In February 2025, another round of grants will open for locals.
