Community
13 May, 2026
Cash waiting for community groups
COMMUNITY groups across the shire shared in $8000 of funding through the Ready Now Grants program, with 17 applications received between October last year and March this year.
Of the 17 applications listed in a report presented to Corangamite Shire Council at last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, eight were from the wider Cobden and Timboon area, totalling $3850.
The Ready Now Grants program provides small allocations of funds up to $500 for projects and activities supporting community inclusion and participation as well as providing equipment, facilities and public spaces which are appropriate for community use.
The Carpendeit Hall and Recreation Reserve received $350 in December towards a Christmas community barbeque.
Port Campbell community events also received funding in December, with $500 going towards Christmas decorations for the town.
Progressing Cobden received $500 of funding in December, which went towards the purchase of a barbecue setup.
Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club were able to replace existing glassware thanks to $500 of funding in December.
South Western Modern Engineers Inc used $500 of funding in January for purchasing of a new microwave.
Heytesbury Princetown Cricket Club was also supported through the Ready Now Grants, with an application for $500 to purchase three women’s training kits received in February.
The Port Campbell community events committee applied for $500 in March to go towards their Easter hunt event.
Kidding Around Cobden, auspiced by Rotary Club of Cobden, received $500 in March to go towards the Kidding Around Cobden at home event.
The Ready Now Grant program has an annual budget allocation of $20,000, with the remaining $5100 anticipated to be granted during the remaining quarter with additional promotion of the availability of the grant to be undertaken.
Councillor Nick Cole said the money was waiting to be used.
“You’ve got two months to get it in and get it out the door,” he said.
“We want it spent throughout the shire – locally, if possible – but do those little jobs that need doing.
“There’s money sitting there to do those little jobs someone thinks it’ll be a good idea to have done on the club rooms and such.
“It’s there to be used – we want it done so the community can benefit and keep ticking along.”
Councillor Ruth Gstrein seconded the motion to note the report, saying the list of community organisations who applied for funding was “quite amazing”.
“$500 doesn’t seem like a lot these days, but it’s a lot of sausages that you have to sizzle for a community group,” she said.
“It’s a rolling program, so you just jump on council’s website.
“It’s quite easy.”
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