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Baw Baw Council awards $137,000 in community grants to 35 local groups supporting events, programs, equipment and community projects across the shireBaw Baw Shire Council has conditionally awarded more than $137,000 to 35 community groups through its first 2026/27 grants round, supporting local events, projects, equipment and initiatives across the Shire. By news@gippsland - 24th September 2026 - Back to News Baw Baw Shire Council has conditionally offered more than $137,000 through its Community Grants – Community Projects Program, supporting 35 local groups in the first funding round for the 2026/27 financial year. Grants of up to $5,000 will support organisations to deliver activities, events and programs that help create a healthy and thriving community and more sustainable shire. 
Baw Baw Council has offered $137,000 to 35 local groups, funding community activities, events and projects supporting a healthier, sustainable shire Community diversityBaw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson said it was encouraging to see such a diverse range of groups receive funding, with projects expected to benefit communities right across the Shire. "The community groups successful in this round of funding reflect the diversity of our population and the broad range of interests, passions and needs across Baw Baw." "Council is proud to support these organisations through our Community Grants Program. These grants help local groups continue the valuable work they do, strengthening community connections, creating opportunities for participation and delivering benefits that extend well beyond their memberships. Investing in our community groups is an investment in the wellbeing and vibrancy of our region, and we look forward to seeing the positive outcomes these projects will achieve," said Cr Wilson. Grants recipientsA reception event will be held in July 2027 to celebrate the 2026-27 grant recipients and their respective projects. Listed below are the conditionally offered recipients of the 2026-27 Community Projects Round One grants: - Anglican Parish of Drouin
$3,999.10 Safety equipment and audio upgrade - Aus Hair of the Dog Rescue Inc
$4,880 Barkin' Mad Ultra - event timing services and marquee rental - Baw Baw Indian Community Inc
$5,000 Navratri Mahotsav 2026 Festival - venue, audio and PA systems, lighting, cultural decoration hire and marketing & promotion - Baw Baw Sustainability Network
$5,000 Creative Harvest Festival - website upgrade, marketing and photograph - Community Church Warragul
$4,840 Warragul Carols - hire of staging and audio-visual equipment including Screen 5.5x3 Trailer - Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc (Drouin South Branch)
$2,073.95 Laptop and IT accessories - Drouin Badminton Club Inc
$3,599 Badminton shuttlecock feeding machine - Drouin Combined Churches Committee
$4,166.37 Drouin Carols by Candlelight - advertising, pamphlet distribution, Aus Post delivery and signage - Drouin Cricket Club Inc
$2,805 Blasters Program - qualified coaches to facilitate Blasters program - Drouin Dragons Soccer Club Inc
$4,900.50 All-weather path connections at Bellbird Park Reserve - Drouin Presbyterian Church
$3,150.36 Automatic electronic defibrillator and associated lock box - Gippsland Associated Theatres Inc
$2,450 Theatresports 2027 - judges, master of ceremonies and band - Labertouche Badminton Club Inc
$4,699 Badminton shuttlecock feeding machine - Labertouche Ladies Social Group Inc
$4,870.39 Purchase a dishwasher and rangehood for the Labertouche Public Hall Kitchen - Lions Club of Trafalgar Inc
$3,755 Automatic electronic defibrillator and associated lock box at Childers - Lions Club of Yarragon Inc
$1,544 Laptop and IT accessories - Narracan Hall
$4,396.96 4 drawer fireproof filing cabinet, delivery and installation - Neerim District Community House and Men's Shed
$4,620 Mobile welding fume extractor - Rawson Cricket Club
$5,000 Outdoor infrared strip heaters and protected power circuits - Tetoora Road Community Centre
$2,731.82 East Ward Community Singing Series includes Baw Baw Singers performing 4 events and hall hire at Tetoora Road, Ellinbank, Hallora and Seaview Public Halls - The Hallora Marathon Incorporated
$5,000 The Hallora Marathon Festival - traffic management costs - The Noojee & District Historical Society Inc
$4,490.50 Digital multimedia display screens - Thorpdale Mechanics Institute
$4,125 3 new toilet suites, stainless steel cistern - Trafalgar Golf Club Inc
$2,298.20 Laptop and IT accessories - Trafalgar Holden Museum
$3,663.84 Cruise 69 - road management, toilet hire, promotion and printing - Trafalgar Tennis Club Inc
$1,605 BBQ 4 burner - Warragul Community Men's Shed
$4,026 Meeting room tables and chairs - Warragul Cricket Club
$2,150 iPads for live scoring project - Warragul Junior Football Club
$5,000 Computer, electronic siren and install - Warragul Municipal Band Inc
$4,993.10 Two honour boards, one concert bass drum and stand, and two lightweight marching snares with harnesses - Warragul Tennis Club
$4,900 6-ft Mini Cube storage container and delivery - Warragul Youth Theatre
$5,000 Shrek Jr production - West Gippsland Arts Centre venue hire - Warranor Junior Football Club Inc
$4,974.96 Sporting Equipment; footballs, bump pads, ruck bags, training bibs and dome sets with stands - West Gippsland Vehicle Restorers Club Inc
$4,412.65 Double fryer, pie warmer with glass doors and an upright freezer - Wild Dog Triathlon Club
$2,106.50 Printed marquee, corflute signage and freight
H2:About community grants
The Community Grants program supports local community groups and not-for-profit organisations to deliver activities, events and programs that help the community to be thriving, healthy, and sustainable. There are two main funding streams: - Community Projects: Funding up to $5,000 is available to support the delivery of community events, projects, programs, environmental initiatives and the purchase of equipment. Two funding rounds are available each financial year, with applications open in February and July. Application by appointments must be completed to ensure projects meet all requirements for funding
- Minor Capital Work: Funding up to $10,000 is available with an applicant cash contribution of 25% of the total grant amount. Grants are subject to a two-stage application process, with Expression of Interest applications opening in May and suitable applications progressing in July
Successful projects must be completed within six months of the funding agreement being signed and aligned with the Baw Baw Shire Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. More information about both funding streams of the Community Grants Program is available on council's website at Community Grants. Pictures from Anglican Parish of Drouin Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Farmers across East Gippsland and Wellington are being asked to complete a survey helping three agencies update agricultural priorities, identify emerging challenges and strengthen regional advocacy, support and investment. - Stallholder applications open for 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo connecting families and community services
Stallholder applications have opened for the 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo, offering organisations and entertainers the chance to connect with thousands of local families during National Children's Week celebrations. - Celebrate the Lakes event highlighting Gippsland Lakes diversity and environmental projects protecting vital local ecosystems
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will host Celebrate the Lakes at Eagle Point, showcasing Gippsland Lakes biodiversity, environmental projects and community efforts protecting local waterways, wetlands and wildlife. - East Gippsland planning roadshow brings expert advice to Mallacoota residents, improving access to local services
East Gippsland Shire Council's Planning Roadshow will visit Mallacoota on August 17, offering residents face-to-face planning advice, permit guidance and access to the new AI-powered myLot planning tool. - Major GRISS upgrade strengthens Gippsland’s premier indoor sports and events venue for future growth
The upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was officially opened, delivering modern facilities, supporting local jobs, and strengthening its role as Gippsland's leading venue for community sport and major events. - Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - Trafalgar BMX track upgraded for safer, faster and more enjoyable riding experiences for local riders
Trafalgar BMX track has reopened following a $26,000 upgrade, featuring reshaped jumps, straights and berms, improved drainage and enhanced safety. Council says the works will support active recreation and the growing local BMX community. - Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users. - Coastal erosion forces indefinite closure of Kilcunda Rail Trail section for safety from 26 August 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council will close a Kilcunda Rail Trail section indefinitely from August 26 after severe erosion washed away two metres of dune, threatening trail safety. - Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years. - New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience. - Latrobe City endorses draft Moe Activity Centre Plan to guide future town centre growth and development
Latrobe City Council endorsed the draft Moe Activity Centre Plan for public exhibition, outlining long-term CBD growth, planning reforms, improved public spaces and transport, with Planning Scheme Amendment C155 exhibition proposed for late 2026. - Live and Loud at GPAC brings AFL Grand Final action, family fun and entertainment to Traralgon on 26 September 2026
Latrobe City Council will host Live and Loud at GPAC on September 26, featuring family activities, entertainment, a ticketed musical-acrobat performance and free live screening of the 2026 AFL Grand Final. - Gippsland Water offers face-to-face bill support through September pop-ups across Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin
Gippsland Water will host September pop-ups across the region, offering customers face-to-face help with bills, payment plans, concessions and government assistance amid cost-of-living pressures, with events in Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin. - Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi. - Venus Bay IRB Women's Rescue Team, Morrie Tatnell and Jessica Woodward recognised as one of the winners for the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence 2026
Life Saving Victoria celebrates volunteer lifesavers, aquatic professionals and organisations at Awards of Excellence, recognising outstanding contributions to keeping Victoria’s waterways safe. - Open house Latrobe opens doors to historic, cultural and industrial sites across the region for visitors to explore and discover from 9 - 11 October 2026
A chance to visit the most intriguing buildings and places in Latrobe City, normally behind closed doors. The festival will open up significant buildings, infrastructure and landscapes. - Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation. - New drinking fountains improve free water access across Sale's popular recreation facilities
Sale's major recreation facilities now offer improved free drinking water access, with new fountains at Aqua Energy, Port of Sale and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, supporting hydration and reusable bottle use. - Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities. - West Gippsland Arts Centre opens 2027 exhibition applications for artists and creatives across all visual disciplines and genres
West Gippsland Arts Centre is inviting artists across visual disciplines to submit expressions of interest for its 2027 exhibition program, with submissions closing October 12, 2026. - South Gippsland offers more than 40 free and low-cost activities during Victorian Seniors Festival month this October
South Gippsland will celebrate Victorian Seniors Festival month in October with more than 40 free and low-cost activities, including movement, sport, socialising, learning, arts, culture and creative events for seniors. - East Gippsland Agriculture Tour showcases innovation, resilience and collaboration across the region's diverse farming sector
ASAC members toured East Gippsland agricultural businesses, exploring sustainable farming, weed management, technology and dairy practices while strengthening industry connections and informing future regional agricultural priorities. - New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment.
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