Community connection highlight of community grants

Council's 2024/25 Community Grants Program focussed on enhancing the valuable activities of community groups across the Alpine Shire with an aim to increase connection, invite sporting access and participation, revitalise our local environments and contribute to thriving communities.  

Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr John Forsyth, reflected on the number of volunteers that continue to dedicate their efforts to their communities year after year. 

"It is always inspiring to see the breadth of projects and initiatives that are awarded each year," he said.  

"Our volunteers contribute such diversity to our communities and it is a pleasure to be able to support their community groups through the Community Grants Program."   

Almost all of the projects and initiatives focused on increasing connection within Alpine communities, including infrastructure upgrades to improve participation, workshops and community spaces to bring people together, and building resources to develop knowledge and skills.  

Cr Forsyth said that this exemplifies the spirit of Alpine communities.  

"The volunteers in our region have a positive impact on our communities by promoting inclusivity," he said.  

"It is wonderful to see the Community Grants Program continuing to provide opportunities for people to connect with each other."  

The full list of recipients for the 2024/25 Community Grant Program includes (in alphabetical order): 

Alpine Multi Skill Group – Community workshops $4,500  Bright Croquet Club Inc. – Celebrating 120 years of croquet in Bright $2,030  Bright District U3A Inc. – Enabling bridge in Bright $5,300  Bright Food Co-op Ltd. – Enabling community access to fresh local produce $4,095  Bright P-12 College – Bright P-12 Greenhouse $10,347  Bright Tennis Club Inc. –  Pickleball courts $9,600  Dederang Bowls Club Inc. – Upgrading lighting for bowls green $7,260  Gundowring Hall & Reserve Committee of Management – Outdoor fire pit and trees $4,000  Harrietville Hall Committee of Management – Oven and rangehood $4,971  Myrtleford Golf Club Inc. – Enhancing club rooms $3,787  Ovens Valley Canine Club – Renewing training equipment $1,470  Ovens Valley United Cricket Club Inc. – New wicket and carpet for Memorial Oval $8,957  Sustainable Upper Ovens Inc. – Building Resilience in the Alpine Shire: A community resource website $2,013  Tawonga & District Community Association – Realising the ABP Tawonga: Improvements in Tawonga Pioneer Memorial Park $9,380 

The Kiewa Valley Flood and Landslip Grants Program aimed to support communities of the Kiewa Valley affected by the October 2022 flood and landslip event to achieve recovery outcomes and plan for a more flood-resilient future. 

Cr Forsyth said that this funding opportunity acknowledged the significant impact that the Bogong High Plains Road landslip in October 2022 had on communities throughout the Kiewa Valley.  

"While recovery can look different for every individual, we know that community-led initiatives can have great benefits for most people," he said.  

"This grants program has given community groups, businesses and not-for-profits the chance to determine their priorities and highlight their needs." 

The full list of recipients for the Kiewa Valley Flood and Landslip Grants Program includes (in alphabetical order): 

Alpine Valleys Dairy Inc. - Dare to Dairy Dinner $4,310  Dederang Picnic Race Club – Upgrading public toilets $10,000  Mount Beauty Art Group Inc. - Hiring Mount Beauty Community Centre and installing picture rails $4,767  Mount Beauty Art Group Inc. - Art workshops $2,711  Mount Beauty United Cricket Club – Gala day $3,221  Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc. - Community lunches $5,750  Tawonga & District Community Association – Celebrating 180 years of Tawonga and District $9,900  West Peak Pty Ltd t/a Mountain Monk Brewers – Oktoberfest & Daschund Derby $10,000 

Council extends its appreciation to all applicants who took the time to submit their proposals.