Bellarine Living & Learning Centre IncGrant provided: $30,000
Bellarine Living and Learning Centre (BLLC) is a welcoming and inclusive not-for-profit community centre located in Whittington. It provides the community with opportunities to learn, grow and connect through a diverse range of services and activities including a foodbank.
This grant will enable BLLC to employ a project coordinator to further develop food security programs. In addition to increasing support to meet basic economic needs through food relief and encouraging strong social and community connections, this project will focus on building resilience and empowerment for community members.
Drysdale Family Support IncGrant provided: $25,000
Drysdale Family Support Inc. assists people experiencing food insecurity on the Bellarine Peninsula.
This grant will enable Drysdale Family Support to employ staff to further assist their foodbank program to provide food relief to those on the Bellarine Peninsula experiencing food insecurity. It will allow for the expansion of the program, increase community engagement and ensure the food relief service is sustainable.
Hesse Rural HealthGrant provided: $10,000
Hesse Rural Health is a small rural health service providing a broad range of services to the Winchelsea, Beeac, Rokewood and Bannockburn communities.
In a bid to reduce the number of people experiencing food insecurity in Winchelsea, this grant will enable Hesse Rural Health to employ a Project Coordinator who will scope and develop strategies to provide sustainable food relief services to the community.
Uniting VicTasGrant provided: $40,000
Uniting (VicTas) strive to make a difference for individuals, families and communities by connecting with people experiencing homelessness, addiction or mental health issues.
This grant will enable Uniting VicTas to pilot a mobile emergency relief service for the Norlane and Corio areas with potential to expand to other locations with vulnerable communities. The mobile service will provide food relief, material aid, and act as a gateway to other support services.
Farm My School LtdGrant provided: $40,000
Farm my school is working to transform unused land within schools into regenerative market gardens providing food to the local community. The program promotes healthy heating, ecological stewardship and connected communities.
The pilot, located in Drysdale transformed an unused soccer pitch at Bellarine Secondary College into a 1.5-acre market garden.
This grant will support Farm My School to build organisational capacity in order to successfully expand to other schools and contribute to food security in a greater number of communities.
Geelong Food Relief CentreGrant provided: $40,000
Geelong Food Relief is Geelong’s main food distribution Centre who assists those in need of emergency food relief within the local community.
Funding for this project will build Geelong Food Relief Centre’s capacity for professional communication by hiring a resource to connect and understand stakeholders. Production of engaging and impactful communication material will increase Geelong Food Relief Centre’s ability to reach, educate and increase the confidence of those facing food insecurity.
The Outpost IncGrant provided: $18,000
The Outpost, Inc exists for the purpose of providing support to those experiencing housing instability, addiction, or mental health challenges, though the provision of food and material aid.
The funding will support those in our community facing homelessness and food insecurity. It will allow for the provision of sufficient food and operational costs to ensure that The Outpost doors remain open, the heaters on, drinks warm and food available to all who access this service.
Samaritan House GeelongGrant provided: $22,900
Samaritan House Geelong exists to help men experiencing homelessness in the Greater Geelong Region by providing welcoming accommodation, an evening meal and ongoing support.
Samaritan House Geelong’s grant funding will support their Accommodation Living Skills Program which is a 12 week residential program that provides homeless men with the knowledge and skills to help them find long term stable accommodation to break the cycle of homelessness.
Read the Play IncGrant provided: $21,342
Read the Play is a mental health literacy program designed for young people aged 14-19 years old. It raises awareness of young people’s health issues and guiding them to the relevant support services.
Funding will support the Colac & District Football Netball League clubs to deliver the Read The Play educational program “Huddle Up” to 14-16 year old football and netball players.
Hope Bereavement CareGrant provided: $30,000
Hope Bereavement Care (Hope) offers free information, support and counselling for people grieving the sudden and unexpected death of a child or adult.
Hope Bereavement Care’s Hope Baby and Child Loss program provides information, connection, groupwork and counselling to reduce isolation and build resilience for those grieving the death of a baby or child.
The Power In You Project Grant provided: $30,000
The Power In You Project aims to support people experiencing drug and/or alcohol addiction, people living with a mental health condition and people who have been in contact with the justice system.
Funds granted will form part of The Power In You Project’s open-ended day program which supports mental health, engages participants in positive activities whilst interrupting drug/alcohol use, and positively reconnect with the community.
Barwon Disability Resource CouncilGrant provided: $37,160
Barwon Disability Resource Council provides advocacy support to people with disability of all ages and their parents/carers. It also supports regional systemic advocacy to build a more inclusive community.
This grant will provide support to people living with disability and their family/carers to strengthen their community connections and reduce social isolation.
Ocean MindGrant provided: $30,000
Ocean Mind provides therapeutic surfing programs for young people with disability and those experiencing mental health challenges and social isolation.
Funding will enable Ocean Mind to transform the lives of young people by promoting self-efficacy, community bonding, and skill development. This grant will support the delivery of programs and surf club sessions.
Riding for the Disabled - BarwonGrant provided: $10,000
Riding for the Disabled-Barwon supports children with a disability to experience the enjoyment, challenge and sense of achievement that comes with horse riding. It aims to improves their quality of life and help them to attain personal goals and develop life skills.
Aiming to address the social isolation of young people with a disability, the grant will support participants who could not otherwise afford the luxury of riding.
Institute of Health Transformation - Deakin UniversityGrant provided: $39,901
Deakin University’s Institute of Health Transformation will build a set of culturally appropriate codesign principles that organisations can use when engaging with local First Nations populations. These will be used as a starting point for any organisation when looking to codesign with First Nations people and will include extensive consultation with local elders to create healing resources.
