Communities First grants awarded

In 2022/23 Council offered funding to local community groups and organisations to deliver projects to help build vibrant and connected communities. Strong community and neighbourhood connections help people to manage better during and after emergencies.

These grants were part of Council’s Communities First program, which supports the Nillumbik community to lead projects and activities that build connection and help people to prepare for emergencies. They were made possible by funding from the Victorian Government's Safer Together program. Our commitment to support these types of community-led projects is also included in the 2019-2023 Nillumbik Shire Bushfire Mitigation Strategy. 

2022-2023 recipients

Bushfire Resilience Inc. (BRI)

2023 Bushfire Resilience Inc. Webinar Series  |  $2,000
Building on the existing webinar model, this year BRI will include a series of video clips featuring case studies of actions households have taken to reduce their bushfire risk.

Christmas Hills Primary School

2023 Autumn Fair  |  $2,000
Christmas Hills Primary School held its Autumn Fair on Sunday 5 March 2023. As a rural-like town with the primary school a major point of community connection, the fair builds strong social and community connections by welcoming local and broader community members into the school for a day of joy and fun.

Kangaroo Ground CFA Brigade

Kangaroo Ground CFA Community Day  |  $2,000
On 20 May 2023, the Brigade held a Community Day to reach out to the local community to educate and help them prepare their properties for bushfire and improve their resilience.

Panton Hill Rural Fire Brigade

Community Bushfire Preparedness Information Session  |  $1,370
The Panton Hill Rural Fire Brigade held an information session in November 2022 to prepare local residents ahead of the fire season.

Strathewen Bushfire Education Partnership

Bushfire Education Program Leadership Camp  |  $2,000
The grade 5 and 6 students from Strathewen Primary school attended the Fireline leadership camp in Anglesea. This program teaches valuable skills around communication, teamwork, managing stressful situations and taking leadership in an emergency.