It’s the time of year when local organisations reflect on their achievements and update the community on their work. For the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation, this took place on Wednesday 26th November, alongside the presentation of this year’s Community and Recovery Grants.
Chair Rob Kiddell reflected that fifteen years ago the Community Foundation started with $5M from the sale of the aged care and a commitment to be a perpetual entity that would support the communities in our district. This meant investing the $5M and only using the investment earnings for grants and programs. As of June 30, that $5m is now $9.36m, through growth and donations, and having given out grants of almost $2.4m and invested in the Medical Centre.
Luke McGrath, Chair of the Investment and Finance Committee, gave an overview of our financial statements for 2024/25. Luke highlighted the 7.5% growth in investments as well as $220,000 of donations. He also spoke about the Community Foundation’s impact in distributing $193,000 across the year: $40k to Education, $25k to Community Grants, $80k from sub-funds (in particular, the Mirboo North Recovery Fund), $20k to Financial Hardship Programs and $15k to sponsor local events.
The report to members was followed by the announcement of the 2025 Community Grants and recognition of recently awarded Recovery grants. The 2025 Community Grant projects are:
- Yinnar’s Community Exercise Project (at the Memorial Hall)
- A Music @ Mossvale event.
- Defibrillator for Narracan Hall
- Community Screening of ‘SEEN’ by Mirboo North Primary School
- Boolarra’s Old Post Office Restoration Project
- Hallston Hall Renovation Project.
- Yinnar & District Historical Society & Museum storage project.
The recent Recovery Grants that were recognised on the night were:
- Mirboo North Brigade Equipment Upgrade project
- Biolinks Map for South Gippsland project.
- Field Catering Unit Project by the Wednesday Warriors.
- Mirboo North Community Garden development project.
- CWA Mirboo North Night Owls for their community lunch project.
“It is inspiring to hear why local volunteers put their time and energy into projects which enhance opportunities for the whole community,” says Ruth Rogan. “We are so pleased to be able to support these projects, but we are even more grateful to the volunteers who apply for funding and bring these projects to life.
