Community grants program delivers over $141,000 to local groups

Published on 01 June 2026

Baw Baw Shire Council has conditionally supported over $141,000 in Community Grants to 41 local community groups and non-profit organisations, funding the delivery of equipment purchases, community events and programs.

The grants have been conditionally supported through the second round of the Community Projects funding stream for 2025-26, which opens twice each financial year and forms part of Council’s overarching Community Grants program (which includes both Community Projects and Minor Capital Work funding streams).

Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson congratulated the recipients for their outstanding applications and community spirit.

“Through this program we’re proud to be able to provide funding support to a variety of local special interest groups, sporting clubs, and local progress associations. We were pleased to see applications for a wide range of community events, projects, programs, environmental initiatives, and equipment purchases”, said Cr Wilson.

“As a Council, we’re proud to provide valuable funds to local organisations that are out there making a positive impact in our community. These groups are a fundamental part of Baw Baw Shire’s thriving and vibrant community, and we look forward to seeing these projects come to life over the next six months!”

A reception event will be held in July to celebrate the 2025-26 grant recipients and their respective projects.

Listed below are the conditionally offered recipients of the 2025-26 Community Projects Round 2 grants:

Community Grants Recipients

Baw Baw Arts Alliance	$4,490 to purchase a reverse cycle air-conditioning unit
Baw Baw Food Relief	$3,700.12 to purchase warehouse shelving and carpet squares
Baw Baw Islamic Network Australia Inc	$3,248 to purchase a projector and screen
Baw Baw Veterans Cricket Club Inc.	$1,531.50 to purchase a laptop and first aid kit
BooFIIT Inc.	$2,000 to deliver a structured community Pilates program in Thorpdale
Buln Buln Football Netball Club	$1,852.87 to purchase a point of sale - iPad and EFT machine
Committee for Drouin	$3,032.15 to support the Drouin Christmas Happening Market
Dowton Park Community Asset Committee	$5,000 to support the installation of appropriate AV equipment
Drouin Basketball Club Inc	$4,500 to support first Aid training session for club members
Drouin Hawks Junior Football Club	$3,801 to purchase first aid kits, ice packs, training equipment and travel bags
Gippsland Branch of Avicultural Society of Australia Inc.	$3,689.85 to support the Bird Expo family event
Gippsland Umpires Association	$4,680.50 to support a communications kit for umpires
Gippsland United Football Club	$4,999.50 to purchase spectator seating for Baxter Park soccer pitch
Labertouche and District Men’s Shed	$2,979 to support a lighting upgrade at Labertouche Community Centre
Longwarry Netball Club Incorporated	$5,000 to purchase and transport a portable scorer’s box
Neerim District Bowling Club Inc	$2,500 to purchase tables and chairs
Neerim District Cricket Club Inc	$3,748 to purchase cricket equipment for junior teams
Neerim District History and Heritage Group	$4,280 to support website development project
Neerim District Junior Basketball Club	$3,581.95 to purchase furniture for the Neerim South basketball stadium foyer
Neerim-Neerim South Football and Netball Club	$4,985 to purchase digital display multi-media TV
Nilma Darnum Junior Football Club	$2,507.84 for junior football equipment
Olivia's Place	$2,616 to equipping Olivia's Place with electric pressure washers and digital tablets
One-for-All Abilities Inc	$4,919.70 to support six months of court hire fees
Platinum Calisthenics Inc	$2,177.00 to support Inaugural Concert WGAC Hire Fees
Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria - Warragul Centre	$1,479.90 to purchase riding safety equipment
Seaview Mechanics Institute Hall	$3,692.56 to purchase an AED defibrillator and a comprehensive first aid kit
The Gathering Plate Warragul Uniting Church	$3,426 to purchase a two-door commercial refrigerator
Trafalgar Men's Shed	$5,000 to purchase an Industrial 508mm Helical Cutter Head Thicknesser
Trafalgar Park Community Hub	$1,734 to support website development project
Warragul & District Cricket Association	$3,211.60 to support Growing Girls' Cricket in Baw Baw with equipment
Warragul & District Netball Association	$3,478.02 to purchase iPads and keypad locker storage
Warragul Amateur Swimming Club	$1,969.00 to purchase safety equipment
Warragul Badminton Club	$2,000 to go towards an automatic shuttle feeder
Warragul Community House	$4,677.50 for the deck retreat garden project
Warragul Football & Netball Club	$5,000 to purchase grandstand Tip & Roll 3 Tier seating for Western Park
Warragul Tennis Club Inc	$716 to support Shade Gazebos
West Gippsland Hockey Association	$2,500 to purchase match-standard hockey balls and protective face masks
West Gippsland Touch Rugby	$2,848.16 to support the WGTR Coach & Referee Development Program
Willow Grove and District Playgroup Inc	$5,000 to purchase children sized table, chairs, bookshelves and mini play set outdoor play equipment
Women on Farms West Gippsland Inc	$5,000 to purchase a mobile comfort station
Yarragon Arts Council Inc	$4,000 to support the Yarragon Studio Winter Feast 2026 musicians

2026-27 Round One Community Grants program

Applications by Appointment will be available from Monday 15 June for community groups looking to lodge a submission for Round One of the 2026-27 Community Grants Program.

Funding up to $5,000 is available to support the delivery of community events, projects, programs, environmental initiatives and the purchase of equipment.

For an Application by Appointment, contact Council’s Connected Communities team at 1300 229 229 or email grants@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.

About Community Grants

The Community Grants program supports local community groups and not-for-profit organisations to deliver activities, events and programs that help the community to be sustainable, healthy, and thriving.

There are two main funding streams:

Community Projects: Funding up to $5,000 is available to support the delivery of community events, projects, programs, environmental initiatives and the purchase of equipment. Two funding rounds are available each financial year, with applications open in February and July. Application by appointments must be completed to ensure projects meet all requirements for funding. Applications for the next round of Community Projects open Monday 15 June 2026.
Minor Capital Work: Funding up to $10,000 is available with an applicant cash contribution of 25% of the total grant amount. Grants are subject to a two-stage application process, with Expression of Interest applications opening in May and suitable applications progressing in July.

Successful projects must be completed within six months of the funding agreement being signed and align with the Baw Baw Shire Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

More information about both funding streams of the Community Grants Program is available on Council’s website at Community Grants