Council Community Grants Program provides $137,000

Published on 24 September 2026

Baw Baw Shire Council has conditionally offered more than $137,000 through its Community Grants – Community Projects Program, supporting 35 local groups in the first funding round for the 2026/27 financial year.

Grants of up to $5,000 will support organisations to deliver activities, events and programs that help create a healthy and thriving community and more sustainable Shire.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson said it was encouraging to see such a diverse range of groups receive funding, with projects expected to benefit communities right across the Shire.

"The community groups successful in this round of funding reflect the diversity of our population and the broad range of interests, passions and needs across Baw Baw."

"Council is proud to support these organisations through our Community Grants Program. These grants help local groups continue the valuable work they do, strengthening community connections, creating opportunities for participation and delivering benefits that extend well beyond their memberships."

"Investing in our community groups is an investment in the wellbeing and vibrancy of our region, and we look forward to seeing the positive outcomes these projects will achieve."

A reception event will be held in July 2027 to celebrate the 2026-27 grant recipients and their respective projects.

Listed below are the conditionally offered recipients of the 2026-27 Community Projects Round One grants:

Anglican Parish of Drouin

$3,999.10 Safety equipment and audio upgrade

Aus Hair of the Dog Rescue Inc

$4,880 Barkin’ Mad Ultra - event timing services and marquee rental

Baw Baw Indian Community Inc

$5,000 Navratri Mahotsav 2026 Festival - venue, audio and PA systems, lighting, cultural decoration hire and marketing & promotion

Baw Baw Sustainability Network

$5,000 Creative Harvest Festival - website upgrade, marketing and photography

Community Church Warragul

$4,840 Warragul Carols - hire of staging and audio-visual equipment including Screen 5.5x3 Trailer

Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc (Drouin South Branch)

$2,073.95 Laptop and IT accessories

Drouin Badminton Club Inc

$3,599 Badminton shuttlecock feeding machine

Drouin Combined Churches Committee

$4,166.37 Drouin Carols by Candlelight - advertising, pamphlet distribution, Aus Post delivery and signage

Drouin Cricket Club Inc

$2,805 Blasters Program - qualified coaches to facilitate Blasters program

Drouin Dragons Soccer Club Inc

$4,900.50 All-weather path connections at Bellbird Park Reserve

Drouin Presbyterian Church

$3,150.36 Automatic electronic defibrillator and associated lock box

Gippsland Associated Theatres Inc

$2,450 Theatresports 2027 - judges, master of ceremonies and band

Labertouche Badminton Club Inc

$4,699 Badminton shuttlecock feeding machine

Labertouche Ladies Social Group Inc

$4,870.39 Purchase a dishwasher and rangehood for the Labertouche Public Hall Kitchen

Lions Club of Trafalgar Inc

$3,755 Automatic electronic defibrillator and associated lock box at Childers

Lions Club of Yarragon Inc

$1,544 Laptop and IT accessories

Narracan Hall

$4,396.96 4 drawer fireproof filing cabinet, delivery and installation

Neerim District Community House and Men's Shed

$4,620 Mobile welding fume extractor

Rawson Cricket Club

$5,000 Outdoor infrared strip heaters and protected power circuits

Tetoora Road Community Centre

$2,731.82 East Ward Community Singing Series includes Baw Baw Singers performing 4 events and hall hire at Tetoora Road, Ellinbank, Hallora and Seaview Public Halls

The Hallora Marathon Incorporated

$5,000 The Hallora Marathon Festival - traffic management costs

The Noojee & District Historical Society Inc

$4,490.50 Digital multimedia display screens

Thorpdale Mechanics Institute

$4,125 3 new toilet suites, stainless steel cistern

Trafalgar Golf Club Inc

$2,298.20 Laptop and IT accessories

Trafalgar Holden Museum

$3,663.84 Cruise 69 - road management, toilet hire, promotion and printing

Trafalgar Tennis Club Inc

$1,605 BBQ 4 burner

Warragul Community Men's Shed

$4,026 Meeting room tables and chairs

Warragul Cricket Club

$2,150 iPads for live scoring project

Warragul Junior Football Club

$5,000 Computer, electronic siren and install

Warragul Municipal Band Inc

$4,993.10 Two honour boards, one concert bass drum and stand, and two lightweight marching snares with harnesses

Warragul Tennis Club

$4,900 6-ft Mini Cube storage container and delivery

Warragul Youth Theatre

$5,000 Shrek Jr production - West Gippsland Arts Centre venue hire

Warranor Junior Football Club Inc

$4,974.96 Sporting Equipment; footballs, bump pads, ruck bags, training bibs and dome sets with stands

West Gippsland Vehicle Restorers Club Inc

$4,412.65 Double fryer, pie warmer with glass doors and an upright freezer

Wild Dog Triathlon Club

$2,106.50 Printed marquee, corflute signage and freight

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 thriving, healthy, and sustainable.

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.

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