Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Bass Coast Shire Council celebrates $276K in grants, empowering 80 local groups and projects

Bass Coast Shire Council celebrated local community groups at the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club, distributing $276K in funding. Highlights include ASPIR's new Creative Arts Station and various project grants.

By news@gippsland - 6th December 2024 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council celebrated the success of local community groups this week at a heartwarming Community Grants Celebration held at the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club. Over the past year, 80 community groups received a total of $276,327 in funding, helping to turn their project ideas into reality.

Community Grants celebration at Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club, Community group members standing alongside Bass Coast Shire Council's CEO, Mayor, and councillors, celebrating the achievements of 80 local groups

Grants empower communities

The event showcased how these grants empower community groups, with recipients sharing their projects, stories and pictures of what was made possible through the grant program. One standout story came from the Arts Society Phillip Island Region (ASPIR), which, after 30 years of operating without a permanent base, celebrated its milestone birthday in its new home at the Creative Arts Station.

This community hub, converted from the old CFA fire station, was a council-led initiative. ASPIR secured $12,000 via two successful applications to further enhance the usability of their space, adding accessible doors, window facades for natural light, and improved insulation to create a more functional and welcoming environment.

Empowering local projects

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead shared her pride in the program, stating, "These grants empower our community groups to achieve amazing outcomes that enrich life across Bass Coast. I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how this funding helps bring ideas and projects to life and builds skills and confidence in our local groups. I look forward to seeing even more inspiring events, projects, and improvements in 2025." Among the highlights recognised on the night:

• Archies Creek Public Hall Trust received $5,000 to prepare a staged redevelopment plan of Archies Creek Hall
• Lang Lang Foreshore Committee of Management was awarded $5,000 to beautify an unsightly water tank. The native bird mural is a must-see attraction locally
• Inverloch Stars Soccer Club secured $2,000 through a Quick Response Grant for their Go Girls program, designed to recruit and retain girls in soccer

Council's Community Grants Program which is open year-round and assessed twice annually, offers funding across several categories:

• General Community Grants: $2,001 - $5,000 for equipment, activities, or project seeding
• Festivals, Celebrations, and Events Grants: $2,001 - $5,000 for community-led events
• Minor Capital Works Grants: Up to $5,000 for facility improvements or fixed equipment
• Major Project Funding: $5,001 up to $10,000 for larger-scale projects, excluding Equipment, with up to three funded per round

Community Grants 2025 Round 1 are currently open and close Friday, 7 March 2025. For more information about the program and applications, please contact council's grants officer using the details provided on Bass Coast Community Grants website.

Quick funding celebrated

In addition to Community Grants, the 36 recipients of the 2024 Quick Response Grants were also celebrated. These grants provide immediate funding of up to $2,000 and support a diverse range of needs like equipment and small events.

Quick Response Grants are offered monthly with the current round closing on Friday, 3 January 2025. If you are interested in finding out more, contact the Grants Officer using the details provided on the Community Grants page on our website.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com