Families in Hepburn Shire can look forward to cheaper access to kids’ sports and activities, with the Get Active Kids Voucher Program opening for its ninth round in October.
The program provides vouchers of up to $200 per child to help cover the cost of club fees, uniforms and equipment. Eligible families must hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and can redeem vouchers directly with participating activity providers, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. A special consideration stream is also available for children in care, visa holders, migrants and international students.
“We’re cutting the cost of living for families in Macedon with cheaper access to kids’ sports and activities, helping more get involved in community sport and live a healthy active life,” Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said. “We know the vouchers are making a difference, with almost 20 per cent of recipients joining a sports club for the first time — that’s thousands of young people getting involved in sport thanks to this program.”
Since its launch in 2020, the voucher program has provided nearly 190,000 vouchers and registered more than 2,100 activity providers across Victoria. Local sporting clubs are encouraged to register as activity providers at getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers to make it easier for families to sign up and get kids on the field.
In addition to helping families, grassroots sport in Hepburn Shire is set for a boost with new funding for local facilities through the 2025–26 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSIF).
The LSIF offers grants of between $40,000 and $500,000 for projects that improve sporting facilities, including new or upgraded courts, lights, change rooms, playgrounds and skate parks. The aim is to help clubs meet growing demand and make local sport more inclusive — particularly for women and girls.
“Sport is the heart and soul of Macedon,” Ms Thomas said. “We are getting on with upgrading infrastructure so clubs can keep up with soaring demand, while also making them accessible and more inclusive. I urge eligible councils and sporting organisations to partner and apply for projects that will make a real difference to our community.”
Previous LSIF grants have supported the Hepburn Football Netball Club and the Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club, funding upgrades to playing surfaces, lighting and facilities that allow more people to train and compete.
The LSIF is part of more than $2.4 billion invested in community sport and recreation infrastructure across Victoria over the past decade. Applications for the 2025–26 round close on 2 December. More information is available at sport.vic.gov.au.
This article is based on media releases from the office of Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas.
