Twenty-eight community-led projects will share $123,850 in grants, thanks to a partnership between FRRR and the Gardiner Dairy Foundation. 

This is the 21st year of the Gardiner Dairy Foundation Community Grants, which provide up to $5,000 for locally-led projects that strengthen Victorian dairy communities. 

Allan Cameron, Gardiner Foundation Chief Executive Officer said that local community groups and not-for-profit organisations play a critical role in the sustainability of Victoria’s dairy communities and it’s great to be able to support them to bring their ideas to fruition. 

“Once again, we’ve seen creative projects come through from community groups to address persistent issues. Our commitment to the Victorian dairy industry values these groups and their ability to create vibrant communities broadly benefitting all residents including those involved in dairy. We look forward to hearing about the impacts as these projects are implemented in the coming year,” said Cameron. 

This year, the program attracted lots of interest, with community groups reporting challenges in local fundraising following two years of COVID interruptions and increasing operational costs hitting hard in the current economic environment. 

Despite this, these local groups show a determination to overcome challenges and invest in projects and initiatives that enhance local opportunities or help fill gaps in service delivery, explains FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton. 

“In the applications this round, we saw a range of programs, activities and event equipment purchases that at their core build the social capital of the communities.” 

From supporting a new community choir to several programs for engaging and enabling young people in learning, social and physical development. 

These and many other projects ensure that community facilities are fit for purpose to support meetings and activities and that programs such as creating an edible garden present new opportunities for volunteers to develop skills and knowledge. 

“This diversity of projects reflects that each of these communities is different and, therefore, so too are their needs and priorities.” 

“We are grateful to the Gardiner Foundation for recognising the importance of communities being able to access flexible funding to fill these gaps and for partnering with us for so long to provide this funding,” Egleton said. 

Among the projects funded are: 

Gippsland 

• Orbost Exhibition Centre on the Snowyriver Inc, Orbost – pARTicipate – Part 3 Dgital Connections to Strengthen Community Participation 
• Treble F Singers Incorporated, Leongatha  

Northern Victoria 

• Boys to the Bush – Wangaratta Men of Tomorrow Schools Program, Wangaratta 
• Corryong Historic Machinery Club Inc, Corryong – Museum Upgrade  

South Western Victoria 

• Johanna Public Purposes Committee Incorporated, Johanna  
• South West Community Foundation – Regional Snapshot