By Callum Ludwig
Three community groups in the Eildon electorate have received confirmation that they will receive the funding promised to them at the 2022 State election by the Labor Government.
Following the announcement of the 2023/24 State budget, it was unclear whether the funding had been allocated and whether the Victorian Government would uphold their goal of ‘starting work on every single one of our election commitments.’
When Star Mail reported on the budget on 29 May this year, none of Yarra Valley ECOSS, Healesville CoRE and the YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub had clear communication they would receive their funding, but all three have since been contacted and confirmed.
Executive Officer at Yarra Valley ECOSS said they were thrilled to receive news last week that the Victorian Government is honouring their commitment to support ECOSS with vital funding. “Many thanks to (Labor candidate) Jane Judd for supporting ECOSS with this election promise and assisting the process to this point, this is a huge opportunity for ECOSS and we will make the most of it,” she said.
“ECOSS will be having a planning meeting to decide exactly what the funds will be spent on, but we will be focussing on investing in our financial sustainability hopefully to reduce our reliance on grants. Whatever we finalise, we will ensure it has great community benefits for a long time.”
$55,000 was pledged to support the YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub, $50,000 to support the projects of Yarra Valley ECOSS and $60,000 to support the Healesville CoRE.
The YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub’s funding was confirmed on Tuesday 20 June and Director Karen Meuleman said they are excited about it as much of YAVA’s other income this year has fallen short of what is needed to maintain the Gallery.
“We find ourselves constantly searching for funding opportunities to continue delivering services, so this funding allows us to plan for some of our priority projects,” she said.
“It has long been our aim to boost our volunteer program, providing increased training to equip our volunteers with relevant skills and current knowledge and to improve our retail area, giving additional local artists the opportunity to showcase their work in a professionally supported environment.”
Healesville CoRE was contacted by a Sustainability Victoria representative right at the end of May and is set to use the funding to boost their Home Energy Efficiency program.
The program allows trained CoRE volunteers to visit resident’s homes and make an educated assessment of their energy-efficiency, crucial in a time of skyrocketing energy prices.
President Karen Roberts said she feels this grant shows a mark of respect and direct acknowledgement of what they have achieved so far.”
“Healesville CoRE is committed to addressing climate change by reducing emissions
from fossil fuels, so will use the funding to continue accelerating the transition to
Renewables,” she said.
“We are now brainstorming ideas of how to put this unexpected windfall to its best use”.
Renewable energy events and webinars, solar panel installation assistance, community offers for solar, heat pumps and reverse cycle air conditioners and improving community resilience against disaster are among other potential opportunities for the group.
“I would also like to investigate and develop a trial project showing the effects of energy efficiency improvements to an existing house and/or community building in Healesville,” said Healesville CoRE’s Technical Manager Leo De Jong.
“This will really make a difference to someone, and if the trial is successful, we could continue the program with others”.
