Council & Politics
13 August, 2025
Groups to flourish thanks to community grants
NINE groups and not-for-profit organisations have received a share of almost $37,000 in funding through Northern Grampians Shire Council’s 2025 Community Grants Program.
This year’s program has a focus on projects that promote community equity and inclusion, with grants going towards projects that support opportunities for multicultural inclusion; enable all residents to be socially connected; enable access to healthy and affordable food; and provide leadership opportunities for women and girls.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said she was impressed by the quality of applicants and the work they were doing to benefit their communities.
“The Community Grants Program is a wonderful program and council is thrilled to be able to support the recipients, who provide fantastic services and opportunities for our residents,” she said.
“We are providing funding for quite a variety of projects in 2025, from floor restoration at St Arnaud Band Hall and an ‘outside chill zone’ at Concongella Primary School to workshops, kitchen upgrades, cricket uniforms and the implementation of Grampians Multicultural Hub’s master plan.
“I commend all the grant recipients on their efforts to improve our community and create active, welcoming spaces for people to enjoy.”
Council will open applications for 2026 grants in February next year. 2025 Community Grant recipients:
Grampians Multicultural Hub, $5000 for strategic implementation of the hub’s master plan
The project aims to strengthen and develop Grampians Multicultural Hub to ensure its long-term sustainability and impact. The funding will enable the hub to formalise its organisational structure, become an incorporated entity, and strengthen its marketing efforts to raise community awareness.
Grampians Studio and Gallery, $2000 for a community art workshop The project involves a one-day painting workshop on Saturday, August 9 with Melbourne-based artist Lana Daubermann to promote self-expression in a supportive community environment. It is designed to re-engage less-active members in self-expression and social connection via art, while providing opportunities for others to continue their own creative endeavours and potentially lead workshops.
Hall Management Committee, $5000 for the Concongella Hall Rejuvenation Project
The committee is delivering its rejuvenation project in stages. The funding will go towards updating the switchboard and power supply to the hall, including relocating the dangerous low-hanging powerline underground. This will enable a kitchen upgrade, with plans to seek commercial kitchen accreditation ensuring the hall can remain a local community meeting place well into the future.
Grampians Field and Game Aust Inc, $4701.40 to provide quality food at community and social club events.
The grant will go towards replacing the Stawell Clay Target Complex kitchen ceiling with paintable, washable plaster, to bring the area up to current food safety requirements.
Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network, $4276.30 for Dream Seeds workshops
The Dream Seeds workshops focus on teaching senior primary school students about the values of aspiration, resilience and connection, along with the importance and power of community, teamwork, making decisions and setting goals.
Swifts Great Western Cricket Club, $3500 for mandatory uniforms
The club’s former association has unfortunately disbanded, with the club electing to enter another regional association to ensure cricket can still be offered in the Stawell-Great Western area for years to come. Their potential new association requires coloured uniforms, rather than the traditional cricket & whites with the grant enabling the club to purchase them removing the cost for players.
Concongella Primary School, $4500 for an ‘outside chill zone’
The zone will provide a space for students who are not physically inclined and prefer passive play spaces.
Halls Gap Community Garden, $3000 towards completing the garden and hosting workshops and public events
The grant will enable organisers to complete building of garden beds, a kitchen sink and bench space. It will also fund the purchase of seeds, materials for a compost system and a worm farm. Once the garden is functional and operational, leaders will host workshops and public events.
St Arnaud Citizens Band Inc, $5000 for Band Hall Floor Restoration Project
By restoring the worn and unsafe flooring in the band kitchen and trophy room, this project aims to ensure the space remains safe, welcoming and functional for all.
Read More: Great Western, Stawell