The Gardiner Foundation has announced the recipients of its inaugural Community Development Grants, investing $150,000 in locally led projects designed to strengthen the social fabric of Victoria’s dairy communities.
Delivered in collaboration with regional community foundations, the program recognises the value of local insight and leadership in driving meaningful community outcomes. The South West Community Foundation, Gippsland Community Foundation, Border Trust and Greater Shepparton Foundation partnered with Gardiner to identify projects that respond to the unique priorities of their regions.
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron said the initiative reflects Gardiner’s long-term commitment to vibrant regional communities.
“Our vision is for thriving Victorian dairy regions where people want to live, work, and invest,” Mr Cameron said. “These grants empower local organisations to deliver projects that foster connection, wellbeing, and resilience in the communities that underpin our dairy industry.”
The grants support initiatives that promote social interaction, enhance wellbeing, enable digital inclusion, and improve access and mobility. Funding of up to $10,000 was available for events, workshops, training, service delivery and community equipment.
2025 Successful Grant Recipients
South West Victoria (Total $50,500)
- Camperdown Community House: Plates & Paddocks, $10,000 – A hands-on hospitality program for Corangamite youth, culminating in community meals that celebrate local farmers. Students gain practical skills and experience by preparing and serving a locally sourced meal for primary producers.
- Farm My School: Farm My School Colac, $10,000 – Expanding to Colac Secondary College, this initiative delivers hands-on food education, increases access to fresh produce, and strengthens community connections in regional farming areas.
- Brophy Family & Youth Services: Virtual Driver Academy, $10,000 – Supporting young people in Warrnambool–Moyne through driving simulators, mentoring, and youth-led media to overcome transport barriers and improve employment access.
- Leadership Great South Coast: Belonging South West, $7,500 – A regional forum connecting multicultural communities, employers, and leaders to foster inclusion and develop strategies for a more welcoming South West Victoria.
- Deakin University (Warrnambool Campus): Pathways to Potential: Empowering Refugee and Migrant Careers, $3,000 – A multi-year program supporting 90 refugee and migrant participants into meaningful employment through career clinics, mentoring, and employer engagement.
- The Six C’s Community Cupboards: Expanding Rural Access to Food, Dignity and Connection, $10,000 – Enhancing the Community Cupboard initiative through expanded locations, upgraded infrastructure, and improved access to 24/7 food relief in small rural towns across South West Victoria.
Gippsland (Total $50,000)
- Mirboo North & District Community Foundation: South Gippsland Live4Life (Youth), $10,000 – A youth mental health program training Year 8 and 10 students as peer leaders and advocates, supported by Mental Health First Aid training and crew engagement activities to build a self-sustaining model across South Gippsland schools.
- Equip Church & Leongatha Secondary College: Gippsland Youth on Purpose Program, $5,000 – A four-day immersive program using music, storytelling, and creative expression to help young people discover purpose, improve self-worth, and develop leadership skills, reducing isolation and anxiety.
- South Gippsland Shire / Yanakie Progress Association: Yanakie Weather Station, $10,000 – Critical weather infrastructure providing real-time data for farmers, emergency services, and industries in drought-affected South Gippsland. Funding supports essential upgrades and maintenance to ensure continued safety and productivity.
- Leongatha Community Preschool: Dairy in Kinder, $10,000 – Integrating dairy education into early childhood programs through interactive activities, incursions, and excursions that teach children about farming, sustainability, and healthy eating.
- Wellington Shire (on behalf of Heyfield Lions, Rosedale Neighbourhood House & Maffra Lions): Parks Week, $8,000 – A week-long series of free community events across three small dairy towns, fostering social connection, wellbeing, and engagement in areas where events are rarely held.
- Orbost Football & Netball Club: Just a Farmer Screening, $7,000 – A community event screening the film Just a Farmer, led by local farmers to spark conversations about rural life, resilience, and mental health in East Gippsland.
Northern Victoria (Total $50,000)
- Kerang Neighbourhood House: Threads of Connection, $10,000 – A series of monthly women’s wellbeing craft sessions in Kerang offering calming, hands-on activities such as mosaic art and basket weaving to reduce stress, foster mindfulness, and strengthen community ties.
- Cohuna Neighbourhood House: 5 Ways to Wellbeing Project, $7,500 – Using a social prescription approach to wellbeing, this program offers activities like walking groups, bush outings, coffee catch-ups, and creative sessions to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing for rural residents, particularly those from farming communities.
- Nathalia District Community Association: Support, Strengthen, Sustain Project, $10,000 – A community-driven initiative sustaining vital local services such as volunteer transport, food relief, and emergency support. Funding strengthens delivery, supports volunteers, and ensures long-term sustainability for programs assisting farmers and rural residents.
- Numurkah Community Learning Centre: Numurkah District Farmer Gatherings, $5,000 – A series of 5–8 community events including BBQs, music, art workshops, and family activities supporting drought-impacted farming communities. Partnering with Numurkah Health, the program offers social connection and access to mental health and wellbeing services.
- Rochester Community House: Community Connections, $10,000 – An intergenerational program connecting senior school students with aged care residents through shared activities such as gardening, cooking, and storytelling. The initiative fosters communication skills, reduces loneliness, and celebrates local heritage.
- Tongala Community Activity Centre: Share a Meal with Us, $7,500 – Launching with a Christmas dinner in December, this project provides monthly community meals to reduce social isolation and foster inclusion for multicultural groups and vulnerable residents. Funding covers essential equipment and food costs to sustain the program year-round.
To learn more about the Gardiner Foundation Community Development Grants visit gardinerfoundation.com.au/communitygrants/