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Bass Coast Shire Council gives nearly $300,000 in community grants in 2023 during celebration at Berninneit in Cowes

Recently, Bass Coast Shire Council celebrated Community Grants in Cowes, recognizing groups funded for impactful projects. Collaborating with various organisations catered to diverse community needs.

By news@gippsland - 29th November 2023 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council last night held its Community Grants celebration at Berninneit in Cowes, honouring a range of community groups who were recipients of thousands of dollars of funding to deliver impactful community projects. Council has worked in partnership with many community organisations this year to ensure the grants program met the diverse needs of community groups across the region. Representatives from a broad range of community groups shared their stories not only about the projects, but also the impact they have in local communities.

Apply for Community Grants Round 1 by 8 March 2024! Get inspired by 2023 projects for innovative 2024 initiatives

Volunteer appreciation

Mayor, Cr Clare Le Serve said, "A special shout out goes to our dedicated volunteers who contribute their time to various committees, often more than one. Without them, many events and programs simply wouldn't come to fruition."

"On behalf of the council, I express our gratitude for the invaluable support provided by our grants program, facilitating so many initiatives. The breadth of applications received reflects the remarkable initiative and interest within our community. Your dedication does not go unnoticed," said the Mayor.

Community grant recipients

The community grant is under 3 types with amount of:

• Quick Response Grants - 50 applications - $72,285
• Community Grants - 47 applications - $200,207
• Climate Action Grants - four applications - $18,006

Successful grant recipients are as follows:

Community programs and events

• Phillip Island Ukulele Group's inaugural Phillip Island Ukulele Festival
• Corinella and District Community Centre - Veggies on the Verge
• Inverloch Tourism Association - Inverloch Community Festival
• Dalyston Football Netball Club - Deb Reilly run for the kids

Sporting programs

• Wonthaggi United Soccer Club - portable goals
• Wonthaggi Underwater Hockey Club - come and try underwater hockey

Capital work projects

• Phillip Island Boardriders Club - clubhouse exterior renewal
• YES Youth Hub - remove and replace gas appliances
• Corinella Ratepayers and Residents - provision of power to rotunda, Harold Hughes Reserve

Equipment

• Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club - equipment for youth development (nippers) and lifesaving operations
• 317ACU Wonthaggi - equipment seeding grant to support youth Army cadets

Environmental

• Phillip Island Land Alliance - book launch 'a field guide to the native flora of Millowl'
• Ventnor Coast Care Association - Ventnor foreshore reserve weed mapping

Major project grant category

Six programs were awarded up to a maximum of $10,000 each, three each round. This year's successful recipients include:

• Phillip Island Football Netball Club: Outdoor blind project
• Cowes Yacht Club: Boat ramp renewal stage 2
• Dalyston Football Netball Club: Dalyston Recreation Reserve playspace
• Phillip Island Community Orchard: Strategic plan and design for building hub
• Newhaven Yacht Squadron: Public accessible stairway renewal
• Glen Alvie Recreation Reserve: Gazebo for historic display stage 1

Additionally, a $10,000 major project funding is awarded in the Climate Action category for each round which was awarded to Energy Innovation Co-op for a feasibility study of EV charging stations at community buildings.

Community Grants 2024 Round 1 is open until Friday, 8 March 2024. Council encourages community groups across Bass Coast to take inspiration from the great projects funded in 2023 for an exciting 2024 of new projects.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• West Gippsland Landcare celebrates 40 Years of environmental action and community connection
  More than 150 Landcare supporters celebrated 40 years of West Gippsland Landcare, reflecting on achievements, community connections and future opportunities for resilient landscapes and sustainable farming.
• Cycling Without Age Gippsland returns with free trishaw rides around Sale’s Lake Guthridge for community passengers and visitors
  Cycling Without Age Gippsland has resumed free trishaw rides at Lake Guthridge, Sale, welcoming Central Gippsland Health passengers and 16 floral art convention visitors, while inviting bookings and new volunteers.
• Baw Baw Australia Day Awards nominations open, recognising local heroes, organisations and events, voting is until 30 October 2026
  Baw Baw Shire Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards, recognising outstanding citizens, young people, organisations and community events making contributions locally.
• New Bairnsdale footpath to improve access between Princes Highway and key health and community facilities
  A new 280-metre concrete footpath will link Bairnsdale’s Princes Highway with key health and community facilities, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, with construction beginning September 21 and lasting six weeks.
• East Gippsland targets Canberra visitors in new Spring Tourism Campaign, destination marketing and supporting local businesses
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched a Canberra-focused spring tourism campaign, testing evidence-led marketing strategies while attracting shoulder-season visitors and supporting local businesses through targeted promotion.
• East Gippsland simplifies footpath permit fees, reducing costs for businesses while supporting safe, vibrant, accessible town centres
  East Gippsland Shire Council has introduced a simplified, tiered Goods on Footpath permit fee structure, reducing costs for many businesses while supporting vibrant town centres and maintaining safe, accessible public spaces.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Maryvale Recreation Reserve redevelopment delivers upgraded sporting facilities, accessibility and community infrastructure
  Maryvale Recreation Reserve has undergone a $1.39 million redevelopment, delivering accessible cricket facilities, upgraded amenities, improved drainage, resurfacing and safety improvements through state government and Latrobe City Council funding.
• Heyfield childcare faces closure after losing federal funding, putting local families, educators and essential community services at risk
  Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access.
• 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.
• Katie Noonan brings intimate 'Alone But All One' tour to Cowes for regional Australian audiences on 10 October 2026
  Katie Noonan brings her intimate Alone But All One tour to Cowes’ Berninneit October 10, with interview opportunities September 23 and ticket giveaways available for audiences through Gippsland.com.
• Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
  Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign.
• Latrobe City opens nominations for 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame honours, nominate by 11 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards and Sporting Hall of Fame, recognising outstanding community contributors and sporting achievers. Entries close September 11, 2026.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Darren Chester welcomes Mallacoota students to Parliament House during Canberra visit, discussing democracy and the role of elected representatives
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed Mallacoota P-12 College students to Parliament House during their Canberra visit, discussing Federal Parliament, democracy and the role of elected representatives.
• Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
  Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment.
• 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.
• Latrobe City launches Forestree platform showcasing 63,000 public trees across urban and rural townships
  Latrobe City Council has launched Forestree, an interactive platform showcasing more than 63,000 public trees, 600 species and ongoing tree planting, watering and maintenance efforts.
• Maffra student Jaxon Marshall champions resilient agriculture during National Youth Parliament visit to Canberra
  Maffra student Jaxon Marshall represented Gippsland at National Youth Parliament, delivering a passionate speech advocating resilient agriculture, regenerative farming, research and stronger support for farmers and Australia’s future.
• 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.