Almost 50 local events, community clubs and organisations will benefit from over $285,000 in Warrnambool City Council funding.
At its August meeting, Council voted unanimously to allocate $194,592 to 25 events via the Festivals and Events Grants and Partnerships Program, in addition to $90,792 to 22 clubs and organisations via the Community Development Fund.
“To be able to inject almost $300,000 directly into the community is something we are really excited to be able to do as a Council,” Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said.
“The Community Development Fund as well as the Events Grants are a really good reminder of just how many different groups we have in our city that do so much for our community.
“There’s such a diverse range of applications that we are really proud to be able to support.
‘The Community Development Fund has been running since 1999, and for some clubs, it’s one of their major funding opportunities that helps them to continue to grow and thrive.
“And with the Events Grants, we know how tough things have been with costs going up in recent years for event organisers, and that’s why the funding that each community event could apply for was increased from $5000 to $10,000 this year.
“At the meeting, Council also voted to rollover $105,000 in un-allocated funding from the Community Development Fund to a future Community Development Fund round, which is important as this money was set aside for projects run by the community, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what the benefits will be.”
Council’s Community Development Fund aims to support the development and capacity of Warrnambool clubs and associations. Funding is available for projects, equipment and activities which meet the grant program eligibility and criteria and contribute to participation, club capacity and sustainability and the liveability of the City. Categories include Sport and recreation, arts and culture as well as environment and sustainability.
The Festivals and Events Grants and Partnerships Program seeks to support events which contribute to the local economy and build the profile of Warrnambool as a vibrant regional city, in line with the goals of the Warrnambool Events Strategy.
Successful applications under the Community Development Fund:
Note: If viewing on a mobile device, scroll across to see the full table.
| Applicant | Project Title | Funding Category | Amount Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrnambool & District Artists Society |
The Warrnambool Brush 'n Blossom Spring Art Festival |
Culture and Arts | $4,990 |
| Warrnambool Multiple Sclerosis Support Group |
Empowering Women with MS in Warrnambool |
Culture and Arts | $5,000 |
| Community Radio Endeavour Warrnambool |
Upgrade of Essential Equipment |
Culture and Arts | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool & District Football Umpires Association Inc |
Indigenous Designed Umpire Uniforms |
Culture and Arts | $4,500 |
| Comic Creations | Comic Creations | Culture and Arts | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool City Band Inc | Purchase of Percussion Instruments |
Culture and Arts | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool & District Historical Society Inc. |
Standards for All | Culture and Arts | $5,000 |
| Beach Patrol Australia Inc | Monthly Community Beach Cleans |
Environment and Sustainability |
$4,976 |
| Warrnambool Coast Care Landcare Network |
Removal of Invasive weed species |
Environment and Sustainability |
$1,155 |
| Warrnambool Bridge Club Inc | Safety Lighting for Members | Environment and Sustainability |
$1,909 |
| Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak |
Evolving blister-pack recycling scheme |
Environment and Sustainability |
$4,950 |
| West Coast Bodyboard Club | Club Participation Drive | Sport and Recreation | $4,445 |
| Warrnambool Little Athletics Inc | Upgrade of Essential Equipment |
Sport and Recreation | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool City Croquet Club | Croquet 5's - Fun For Everyone |
Sport and Recreation | $5,000 |
| Dennington Bowling Club | Access Bowls for All Abilities and People |
Sport and Recreation | $4,128 |
| Warrnambool Wolves Football Club Inc |
Strategic Plan | Sport and Recreation | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool Rifle Club | Anzac Day Shoot | Sport and Recreation | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool Yacht Club inc | Sun protection for rescue boat crew |
Sport and Recreation | $428 |
| Action Squash Club Inc | Purchase of New Multi Use Furniture |
Sport and Recreation | $4,943 |
| Warrnambool Swimming Club Incorporated |
Performance Mindset Workshops |
Sport and Recreation | $880 |
| Southwest Strength Sports Inc | Purchase of Recovery Equipment |
Sport and Recreation | $4,992 |
| Nestles Rowing Club Inc | Oars for All | Sport and Recreation | $3,496 |
Successful applications via the Festivals and Events Grants and Partnerships Program:
Note: If viewing on a mobile device, scroll across to see the full table.
| Applicant | Project Title | Funding Stream | Amount Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrnambool Citizens Road Race Committee |
Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival |
Partnership Stream | $20,000 |
| Warrnambool Racing Club | May Racing Carnival | Partnership Stream | $20,000 |
| Premier Speedway Club | Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic | Partnership Stream | $20,000 |
| Life Saving Victoria | Victorian Senior Lifesaving Championships | Partnership Stream | $20,000 |
| Indoor Bowls Warrnambool Association Inc |
Australian Indoor Bias Bowls National Championships |
Destination Event | $10,000 |
| The Event Designers Pty Ltd | KidFest | Destination Event | $10,000 |
| Warrnambool Agricultural Society Inc | Warrnambool Show 2024 |
Community Events | $10,000 |
| Warrnambool Multicultural Association Inc. |
Warrnambool Multicultural Festival |
Community Events | $10,000 |
| Surf T Surf | Surf T Surf Fun Run/Walk |
Community Events | $9,900 |
| Warrnambool RSL Sub Branch Inc | Anzac Day Services & Remembrance Day Commemorations |
Partnership Stream | $9,463 |
| Warrnambool BMX Club | 2025 AusCycling BMX State Series - VIC - Warrnambool |
Destination Event | $5,902 |
| Warrnambool Showgrounds Reserve Inc. |
Warrnambool Rodeo 2024 |
Destination Event | $5,000 |
| The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria | Golden Threads Exhibition of Embroidery and Stitch |
Community Events | $5,000 |
| The Dart and Marlin PTY LTD | From Beer to There | Destination Event | $5,000 |
| Dennington Community Association | Carols By The Merri | Community Events | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool Presbyterian Church | Carols on the Green | Community Events | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool Gift Incorporated | Warrnambool Gift | Community Events | $5,000 |
| Wunta Fiesta Inc. | Wunta 2025 | Community Events | $5,000 |
| Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative | MAAR DAY OUT 2025 | Community Events | $5,000 |
| Warrnambool Triathlon Club | Warrnambool Foreshore Tri 2025 |
Community Events | $4,823 |
| The F Project | Fabric of Life Festival 2024: Here and Wow |
Community Events | $4,538 |
| Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club Inc | Warrnambool Lawn Open 2025 |
Community Events | $4,000 |
| Warrnambool Pickleball Club | Warrnambool Pickleball Open 2025 |
Destination Event | $3,966 |
| Extreme Life | Christmas Spectacular |
Community Events | $1,000 |
| Warrnambool and District Easter Arts Festival. INC |
Warrnambool and District Easter Arts Festival |
Community Events | $1,000 |