Re-Activate Hepburn Grants Benefit Local Groups

The state government’s Community Activation and Isolation Initiative (CASI) has provided more than $25,000 in funding for organisations in the Shire. Thirteen groups will benefit from funding intended to make it easier for people to participate in activities that build social connection and encourage physical activity. Daylesford and Hepburn groups received almost $6,500.

Council distributed this funding through the Reactivate Hepburn grants which closed in in early April. The funding will support a range of projects, from scholarships and sporting subsidies for young people, to attracting new members of local groups across the Shire.

“These grants aim to help organisations and groups to rebuild and create community connections after a challenging 2020,” said Mayor, Cr Lesley Hewitt. “We are fortunate to have many active groups who have some fantastic ideas for the next few months. Council is very proud to offer these grants as part of our support for COVID-19 recovery.”

Grants will go towards assisting groups to re-engage volunteers, and promote membership of Men’s Sheds, Life Active Clubs and Senior Citizen groups.
Young people will benefit through subsidised junior memberships for football and netball clubs in Creswick, Trentham and Clunes. Another grant will cover the costs of a fashion sewing course for six young participants in Daylesford.

There are grants to fund first aid and leadership training, and for a guest speaker to visit our region and discuss how art can promote longevity.

“Thank you to everyone who applied for funding through this program. We look forward to hearing about the success of your activities to reconnect our community,” said Cr Hewitt.

The one-off funding program is supported by the State Government’s Community Activation and Social Isolation (CASI) funding.

Local groups and associations which received grants are listed below.