Our Story

Our Story

Really the story of how the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation came to be, began many decades ago, because of the fore-sight and resilience of many dedicated local members of the community.

The funds of the foundation are a legacy of the original Bush Nursing Hospital, which over the years transitioned into the Mirboo North Aged Care facility.

The foundation acknowledges all those local volunteers and professionals who helped create the Bush Nursing Hospital and the Aged Care facilities which has resulted in the funds now available for the benefit of the community.

In 2007/08 the difficult decision was made to sell the community-owned Mirboo North Community Care aged care facility and services.

The funds from the sale were invested into the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation for the long term benefit of the entire community.

The Community Foundation transitioned from a provider of Aged Care facilities to a Charitable Community Foundation Institution in January 2010.

The Community Foundation decided to serve the townships that were previously served by the Bush Nursing Hospital: Allambee, Boolarra, Darlimurla, Delburn, Dumbalk, Hallston, Mirboo, Mirboo North, Thorpdale and Yinnar.

What is a Community Foundation?

Community foundations have been around for about 100 years, they are located across the entire world.

Community foundations are independent, place-based, community owned philanthropic vehicles. They exist to create a financial asset for public benefit in a specific geographical location, such as a town, city or region.

By their nature, community foundations are characterised by being community-owned and driven grassroots organisations which are highly responsive to local conditions, needs and opportunities.

Having local people involved as donors, advisors and volunteers generates strong and dedicated community ownership and accountability, and creates valuable local knowledge.

The first Australian Community Foundation, the Melbourne Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation was created 90 years ago. Since then the community philanthropy sector in Australia has burgeoned.

There are currently some 40 community foundations active in Australia. Jointly, these Community Foundations:

  • Steward some $435 million in charitable assets,
  • Have made grants worth more than $324 million to date in their local communities,
  • Including around 3,000 grants made last financial year (2017/18) to a value of close to $32 million.

Almost half of Australia’s Community Foundations are found in Victoria and nearly 80% of them are based in rural or regional areas.

For more information about community foundations in Australia please visit www.australiancommunityphilanthopy.org.au