By JESSE GRAHAM
COMMUNITY groups around the Yarra Ranges will share in more than $300,000 in grants for projects, events and festivals, after funding was approved at last week’s council meeting.
The grants, to be given out under the council’s 2016 Grants for Community Program, were approved unanimously by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday, 22 September.
Some 57 projects across the municipality will share in $322,232 in grants funding, separated into three streams – Arts and Heritage Development Grants, Festivals and Events Grants and Community Development Grants.
Festivals and events such as the Mount Evelyn Street Party, the Warburton Film Festival and Healesville Mini Film Festival and Selby Fest were all funded, with $10,000, $3000, and $8000 respectively.
An Arts and Heritage grant worth $10,000 was given to Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation for its project, Coranderrk and Healesville; Shared Stories, and another $10,000 grant was allocated for Coldstream Voice for its project The New Coldstream Story – Culture Shift through the science of Narrative Influence.
Community Development grants were given out to Dandenong Ranges Community Cafe ($7500), for a Men’s Health Community Forum with the Rotary Club of Monbulk and District ($4000) and for the Yarra Valley Food Network’s new website ($3000).
The website, according to an application form supplied to the Mail, is to develop a website which includes an interactive map and trading platform, for residents to access local and seasonal food.
The form states that users will be able to share information about food and produce they have available, and will allow for a buy, swap or sell to take place.
The project will be auspiced by the Koha Community Cafe with Suyin Chan, the founder of the cafe.
The motion to accept the grants was moved by Lyster Ward Councillor Mike Clarke and seconded by O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child.
Cr Child said this year’s round of grants was the best he had seen in his time on council.
“It’s a wonderful outcome,” he said.
“We’ve got some unique community groups out there doing some fantastic work – whether it be arts events, festivals or assisting in community projects, I think they need all the assistance they can get.”
The council officer’s report for the meeting stated that $587,223 across 85 projects had been requested by applicants, though only 57 were accepted by an independent panel for each stream of funding.
A grants celebration event will be held at Mooroolbark Community Centre on 12 October, for the successful applicants – the report said the event will also showcase successful projects from the past.
For the full list of recipients, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
