By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Valley ECOSS is being supported in the new ventures in the new year with some generous funding granted in recognition of the organisation’s ecological efforts.
Yarra Ranges Council is providing $10,000 for the Crops for Community program and another $10,000 for the Rhythms of the World event in 2024 while the Victorian Government has also chipped in $9000 towards the event through the Multicultural Festivals and Events program.
Executive Officer at Yarra Valley ECOSS Chelsea McNab said both projects wouldn’t be able to proceed without this funding support.
“Crops for Community offers a vital program for people living with Disabilities to grow food for food relief in the Yarra Valley, so the effects of the funding support filter far and wide throughout the community,” she said.
“Rhythms of the World is one of the only multicultural festivals occurring in the Upper Yarra Valley. It offers vibrant performances and multicultural food tastings, as well as cultural education and immersive experiences in learning to play multicultural instruments.”
ECOSS was also recently recognised in Casey MP Aaron Violi’s Volunteer Awards as well as being a semi-finalist in Awards Australia’s Coolabah Turf Connecting Communities Award.
Ms McNab said in 2024 they intend to create more spaces for Co-locating, ethically aligned NFP or small local businesses.
“We will continue and expand our BioChar test plots and Co-farming activities, including the Food Forest, expand our Native Nursery and hopefully expand our opening hours for UpCycles- our Bicycle Upcycling Hub,” she said.
“We will continue to run our weekly produce Market on Fridays, and add in as many performances as we can to these markets and will continue to work with our NFP partners including co-creating Permaculture Week in March 2024.”
“As well as this we will continue to support community activities onsite including the Youth Showcases, Circus and Dance, Pottery and more.”
183 organisations received funding from the Multicultural Festival and Events program across Victoria.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt said they’re proud to invest in multicultural festivals and events that celebrate and share culture.
“They strengthen multiculturalism, cross-cultural understanding, and truly capture our state’s diverse cultural landscape,” she said.
“With such an exciting calendar of multicultural events happening across our state, I encourage all Victorians to get involved and explore what makes Victoria such a vibrant and inclusive place to live.”
