By Callum Ludwig
The 2024 Grants for Community program process was initiated by Yarra Ranges councillors at the Tuesday 9 May Council meeting.
$500,000 has been allocated to support festivals and events, art and heritage and community development projects being carried out by the community.
Melba Ward Councillor and Deputy Mayor Sophie Todorov spoke to the motion and said over the last few years, she’s been one of the biggest supporters of this initiative.
“I’m so pleased that Yarra Ranges Council can offer a generous amount of money to support these Grants for Community and have seen over the last few years the magnificent events and projects and programs that have come out of this,” she said.
“These grants are intended to mobilise, support and connect our community, and being the current delegate in the Health and Wellbeing Committee, it’s just the core of what this community is about in terms of providing healthy and safe communities and people.”
$125,000 is dedicated to Festivals and Events and for Arts and Heritage, while $250,000 is set aside for Community Development.
Billanook Ward Councillor Tim Heenan seconded the motion and said councillors have interacted with these fantastic events that happen every year.
“We had a fairly severe period of time when everything went down and certainly the community suffered. We believe that’s over now and it’s exciting to know that going forward, there’s half a million dollars invested in these three areas,” he said.
“The volunteers are the salt of the earth, and we can’t do without them in the Yarra Ranges, so I just like to also speak, as Cr Todorov did, on thanking those assessment panel volunteers for giving up their time.”
Two assessment panels made up of locals will help to select the recipients of grants; one for Community Development and one for Creative Communities.
Kilsyth Community Planning Group (Chair) Mike O’Meara, President of the Healesville Community Garden Ethne Pfeiffer, Environmental science student and Leading for the Future and Youth Advisory Group member Kelsey Haigh, Hills Regional Community Recovery Committee (RCRC) member Carolina Aguilera de Snow and Recreation Development and Liaison Officer at Yarra Ranges Council Ellie Ingwersen make up the Community Development panel.
Photographer and Community Event Manager Suzanne Phoenix, festival organiser and Community Engagement Coordinator Jordan Sibley, Member of the Misfits Youth Theatre Group Lotte Gale, Yarra Valley Tourism Committee member, Co-chair Valley RCRC and Healesville and District Community Enterprise committee member Leigh Harry and Cultural Programming Officer at Yarra Ranges Council Ginger van Handley will be the Creative Communities panel.
Previous recipients have included the Small Hall Gypsy Cabaret, the Yarra Valley Open Studios, Dandenong Ranges Orchestra and Stories of the Storm – June 2021.
Applications open 1 June 2023 and close on 17 July. The motion was passed unanimously.
