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South Gippsland Round One Community Grants awarded and other council updates

South Gippsland Shire Council celebrated its Round One Community Grants, awarding $83,750 to sixteen local projects. The annual Jobs Expo will be held on March 20, 2025, connecting job seekers with businesses.

By news@gippsland - 14th February 2025 - Back to News

Last week South Gippsland Shire Council celebrated our Round One Community Grants recipients at an awards night in Leongatha. Sixteen applicants from across South Gippsland received funding for their projects, which included facility and recreational upgrades to community arts and events. A total of $83,750 was awarded across the four separate categories. For more information visit South Gippsland Shire Council website.

South Gippsland Shire Council celebrated Round One Community Grants recipients in Leongatha, awarding $83,750 to sixteen projects

Resilient South Gippsland

One year ago today a devastating storm hit South Gippsland. It felled huge numbers of trees, it caused a Shire-wide power outage, it closed roads and damaged homes. Our prized South Gippsland landscape was strewn with debris and completely changed in places. In the hours immediately following the storm, the extent of the damage slowly became known and - despite it being difficult knowing how or where to start - the clean-up began.

Emergency services, Council teams, volunteer groups and community members answered the call and worked side-by-side to clear roads, make townships safe, and support the most vulnerable amongst us. Due to the widespread damage, the work continued not just for days, but for weeks and then months. It still continues.

The greatest strength of a community is its people. And based on how our people came together to help each other during the emergency and to rebuild after, it's clear that South Gippsland's communities are something special. If the strength of a community is its people, South Gippsland is near indestructible. Thank you to everyone who has played a part in South Gippsland's storm response and recovery.

One Gippsland

Congratulations Councillor Nathan Hersey on his recent appointment as chair for One Gippsland. Councillor Hersey along with Bass Coast Shire Mayor Rochelle Halstead (Deputy Chair) will lead One Gippsland for the next 12 months.

A key priority for the new leadership team will be advocating for the region during the federal election campaign and in the run up to the next state election in November 2026. For more information visit One Gippsland website.

Statement from the Mayor

In response to upcoming offshore wind-related community engagement sessions in South Gippsland, I would like to re-state, in a summarised form, council's position in relation to offshore wind. This was endorsed by resolution to council in 2022. To know more, visit South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Save the date! The free South Gippsland Jobs Expo on March 20 offers job opportunities, interviews, and local business connections

Jobs expo

Mark it in your calendars, the annual South Gippsland Jobs Expo will be happening Thursday 20 March. This is a FREE event with stallholders across a wide variety of industries. You will have the opportunity to chat with local businesses that are currently recruiting.

There will be on-the-day interviews, so bring along your current resume and dress to impress! For more information, visit South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Update your details with Council at www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/changedetails and your pet's microchip info at www.petaddress.com.au

Animal registrations

Do you have a pet registered with the council? If so, now is the perfect time to update your details with us. Whether you've moved home, got a new contact number or email address in the last 12 months, making sure your details are up to date means we can get in touch with you faster if your pet is found by Council. You can do this in two easy steps:

• Update your details with Council by visiting: www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/changedetails
• Update the details linked to your pet's microchip by visiting: www.petaddress.com.au Simply enter their microchip number and follow the prompts

To update your data on pet registrations, visit South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Looking for a furry friend? Meet Bear and Nasha, American Staffordshire Terrier crosses, available for adoption at PetRescue

Adopt a pet

Searching for a four-legged friend? Our good friends at PetRescue have two adorable dogs up for adoption. Meet Bear and Nasha. They are both American Staffordshire Terrier cross' and they have been awaiting adoption for just over a month. If you would like to learn more about these lovable pets, please visit the PetRescue website.

Council meeting

The next Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 February 2025 at 2.00pm. To watch the most recent Council Meeting, please visit South Gippsland Council Meeting website. To view the 2024 Council meeting dates, head to South Gippsland Council Meeting Dates. For more information, visit South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Engagement opportunities

Shaping South Gippsland

The time to help shape South Gippsland is now! Your feedback will help us to review the Community Vision and inform development of the next four-year Council Plan.

There are plenty of opportunities to have a chat and provide your say at local events, Councillor pop-ups, community surveys and online. Have your say today at the South Gippsland Shire Council website.

This weekend's pop-up events

This weekend we will be popping up at the following locations to listen to your thoughts and ideas for the future of South Gippsland:

• Saturday - Koonwarra near the Great Southern Rail Trail from 8.30am to 9.30am
• Saturday - Dumbalk Memorial Park, Nerrena Road from 10.00am to 11.00am
• Saturday - Mirboo North Baromi Park from 11.30am to 12.30pm
• Sunday - Leongatha Community Market from 9.00am to 11.00am

Gippsland Skies Engagement

Share your feedback and learn about their proposed approach, including consideration of a second northern cable corridor in the Waratah Bay area, as well as marine investigation and management.

Gippsland Skies will be in South Gippsland at the Foster War Memorial and Sandy Point Community Centre on Saturday 15 February and Fish Creek Memorial Hall on Thursday 20 February. For more information about this project and where to leave your feedback, please visit the Gippsland Skies website.

Visit Coal Creek for two exhibitions: "Felted Dreams" by Rebecca Matthews and "Out of the Box: Loch" until 31 March 2025

What's on South Gippsland

Felted Dreams and Out of the Box

Be sure to catch the exhibitions on display at Coal Creek over the next four weeks. Felted Dreams: Unveiling the Australian Landscape is a vibrant display of needle felted artworks by artist, Rebecca Matthews.

Out of the Box: Loch is a collection of works from various artists showcasing an eclectic collection of local talent. Works from artists Hollie Nair, Jo Quirk, Kathleen Quinert, Paul Robinson and Lauren Tausend will be on display. These two exhibitions will be on display at Coal Creek until Monday 31 March.

Festival of Small Halls

The Festival of Small Halls Tour is coming to South Gippsland this March. Featuring Lucy Farrell and, Hat Fitz and Cara, this travelling lineup of live music will be activating 18 small halls around Victoria.

At the Tarwin Lower Mechanics Institute Friday 28 March and Mirboo North Hall Saturday 29 March, you won't want to miss the best. Brought to you by Woodfordia Inc, this expansion of the Porty Fairy Folk Festival draws country sounds to the diverse landscapes of the state. For more information, visit Festival of Small Halls website.

Register your AED location with us to help connect defibrillators with those in need across communities throughout Victoria

Find a defibrillator near you

Did you know that if you need a defibrillator, you can locate one on Ambulance Victoria's website? If you have an Automated External Defibrillator on site for public access, you can register it on the Ambulance Victoria website as well.

To find an AED near you, visit Ambulance Victoria website.

Funding opportunities

Community Grants

South Gippsland Shire Council's second round of Community Grants are now open. Community Grants are an opportunity for Council to give back to local clubs and community groups who give so much to others.

Grants can be used for both minor and major projects and equipment, planning and developing reports, and festivals and events. Applications close Monday 31 March.

Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal

The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal have a number of funding opportunities currently open for application:

• Strengthening Rural Communities - Round 24
  Applications closes 27 March
• In a Good Place (mental health support)
  Applications close 11 March
• Rebuilding Futures
  Applications close 3 April
• Telstra's Connected Communities
  Applications close 20 March

To find out more or to send an application, visit Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) website.

Register for a free virtual mentoring session on 6 March to receive personalised business advice from experienced mentors or to council's free community training

Community training

Good Group Governance

Want to learn about the basics of good governance in your committee role? This community training session will run through the basics of good governance. This session is designed for anyone involved with a community group or anyone thinking that they may like to volunteer in a committee role. This session is free and will be run online Tuesday 18 February from 7.00pm.

Discover new skills, enhance your knowledge and network with other community focused people through South Gippsland Shire Council's community training program.

Small Business Mentoring

Are you a small business owner or aspiring entrepreneur? Register for a free virtual one-on-one mentoring session! Get personalised advice and insights from experienced mentors to help you start, grow, or manage your business successfully.

Reserve a time that suits you on Thursday 6 March for convenient online support. For more information and to register, please visit theSmall Business Mentoring Service website.

Smarty Grants 101

Do you have a question about the Council's Community Grants Program? Not sure of what the process is for applying for grants? What is SmartyGrants? Whether you're a beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, this workshop is designed to help you succeed in securing funding for your projects.

There are two online sessions to choose from. So pick a time that suits you to level up your community group's chance at securing funding. To send an application, visit South Gippsland Shire Council's community training program page.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website and South Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com