Connecting Over 55s - Social Connection Grants awarded

Alma Road and Surrounds

Alma Road and Surrounds Get-together | $800
Based on many requests from Alma and Surrounds residents, holding an event to increase community value, awareness, engagement and increase participation and resilience. Will also encourage awareness of services, information and preparation/connectivity in emergency situations.

Boomerang Bags Nillumbik

Connecting and learning together | $1,500
Connecting and learning together as a community whilst learning how to eco print. Participants will have the opportunity to learn in a social environment how to use natural products to create paper and wool gifts that will be transformed into cards and wearable items.

Diamond Creek Men's Shed

Senior Week Open Day | $500
Men's Shed Open Day to show the community what we do at our Shed. We will set-up displays of some of our activities and include morning tea and free BBQ around lunch time for visitors. This is in conjunction with Councils Shred day where we will assist older people

Edible Hub Community Garden

Grandparents' seat | $1,500
The commission of a covered seat and arbor, from the Hurstbridge Men's Shed, in the Edible Hub community garden on which older adults can relax and watch their children and grandchildren while they play.

Elise Halton Careers advisor and Mentor in the Electrical industry

Hurstbridge International Women's Day Event 2024 | $1,500
Hurstbridge locals have put together another fantastic night in celebration of International Women’s Day 2024. The event will be focused on inclusion and equity, and a generous array of finger food will be provided, as well as door prizes and guest speakers.

Eltham Prostate Cancer Information and Support Group

Turn Eltham Blue Event | $500
During November businesses in Eltham will hang little blue men in their windows and display posters and brochures that a Prostate Cancer Support group exists in Eltham. On 25 November the Town Centre will have little blue men displayed in garden areas, and the Group will hand out brochures.

Ferguson Park Pre School

Connecting Generations | $1,500
Fostering friendships across generations by establishing a strong bond with Nillumbik's elders through visits to a local Aged Care centre. This initiative aims to connect the children with seniors in our community via shared activities and conversations, to support the children to learn about life's journey, the power of community, and the joy of relationships.

Hurstbridge Mens Shed

Seniors Month Lunch Invitation | $380
A free BBQ Lunch for attendees who visit during the month of October, also viewing the Shed Workshop and examples of the various projects underway. The aim is to enhance the Men's Shed connection with the local community and attract new members.

Kangaroo Ground Adult Riding Club

Positive ageing - keep equestrians show jumping | $1,500
Encouraging fully active participation in equestrian sports including showjumping. Equipment must be able to meet the demand of set up and packing away of jumps by older riders. 75% of our members are over 55, and the Club is keen to ensure that members don't "age-out" of the showjumping experience.

OM:NI Men's Discussion Groups - Nillumbik

Happy Sad Man | $1,500
Screening a remarkable documentary followed by a discussion, HAPPY SAD MAN explores complex emotional landscapes we can all traverse. Touching, funny and tender, it shines a light on and changes the dialogue around masculinity and mental health. A discussion with the producer, Genevieve Bailey, will allow audience participation and an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of causes and impacts of the disease as well as coping and recovery through social engagement. For more go to happysadman.org

Rewire Musical Memories Choir

Rewire Musical Memories Choir - Nillumbik | $480
A therapeutic community choir designed to support people living with dementia, their families, and friends in Nillumbik. The accessible and inclusive therapeutic choir provides cognitive and physical stimulation, a shared meaningful activity of singing, and opportunities for social support for its participants.

Strathewen Public Hall Inc - Art and Craft Group

Over 55's Day - Arts and Crafts workshop | $600
A day at the Strathewen Hall Arts and Crafts room for over 55's to come together to take part in a craft workshop.

The Veggie Empire

Harmony Harvest: Empowering Inclusion and Wellbeing | $1,500
Promoting inclusion for individuals with disabilities and seniors, the purchase of specialised equipment to reduce physical strain on our over-55 volunteers. This empowers meaningful participation, enhances physical wellbeing, reduces isolation, and increases community bonds through produce donations and social interactions.

Walking Football 4 Health Victoria Inc

Walking Football for Nillumbik Over 55s | $1,500
Provision of equipment and court access for a new weekly Over 55s Walking Football program at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. This program is designed to benefit Physical and Cardiovascular Health, Muscle Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Coordination and Mental Health Benefits of Cognitive Function and Social Engagement.

Yarrambat Historical Society & Yarrambat Heritage Museum

Yarrambat Heritage Museum Open Day | $500
Provision of a free community BBQ for attendees and appreciation support for two visiting volunteer groups - shearing and spinners. 

A Fitting Connection

Rainbow Connection | $1,000
Senior community members were invited to come along and take part in creating the community artwork piece 'Rainbow Connection' created from textile waste. The artwork will brighten the staircase at Eltham Leisure Centre and be a reminder of our dreams, desires and wishes for ourselves and our community.

Allwood Neighbourhood House

Gardening with Jo | $1,000
A fortnightly, inclusive, social gardening activity to bring residents of Hurstbridge and surrounding suburbs together to connect with their community. Held in the historical Allwood gardens, this inclusive project will be a point of connection for socially isolated individuals to meet people and learn skills.

Ann Rossini

Singing with Annie | $1,938
Held weekly, this pilot program aims to establish a regular opportunity for people from all walks of life to create social connections and friendships whilst learning new skills. This funded activity will establish the group by investing in the required resources and promoting the group broadly to ensure those impacted by social isolation are reached.

Boomerang Bags Nillumbik

Felted Memories | $2,000
Publishing, promotion and launch event for the Felted Memories stories book, showcasing the social connection project the Boomerang Bags group took part in during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Carers Collective

Meet U There | $1,000
Smiths Gully Store will set aside a communal table on Sunday mornings. The funding will provide a free coffee for each participant each week, to encourage participation. It is expected that the social connections formed will keep the group going into the future.

Diamond Creek Soccer Club

Over 45s Soccer Club | $2,000
Activities to attract new players, and re-engage with past members, to their over 45s Soccer Club.

Dina Smirnova

Navigating Uncertainty and Loss Webinar | $1,000
An interactive, on-demand webinar presented by death doula and meditation teacher Dina Smirnova. Provides practical tools and techniques to cope with uncertainty, mourning, loss and/or grief that has occurred as the result of a significant life transition, collective unrest, or the illness or death of a significant person.

Elise Halton Careers Advisor and Mentor in Electrical Industry

Hurstbridge International Women's Day Dinner | $1,000
International Women's Day Dinner event promoting harmony, equity and providing a valuable networking opportunity for women of all ages.

Friends of Nillumbik

Community Showcase | $1,619
An information-sharing evening showcased the work of local volunteer community groups, offering an opportunity for collaboration and for retired, older or new residents to make contacts and engage with the organised life of their community.

Kangaroo Ground Adult Riding Club

Let's Learn Cavaletti | $2,000
Cavaletti work benefits horses and riders at all stages of experience, and it's great fun. Cavaletti is a type of raised rail or small jump used to help train horses and riders. Great for members and might entice other horse riders in Nillumbik to join the Club increasing social connection.

Panton Hill Tennis Club

Easter Community Social BBQ | $1,100
BBQ bringing together and socially connecting older people with the wider Panton Hill community, demonstrating the friendly and inclusive nature of the club, promoting that the club house and courts are available to all.