Campaspe Shire Council is pleased to announce the recipients for Round One of the 2026 Community Grants Program, providing funding for inclusive activities, community events and equipment that enhance participation and community connection.
The recipients for the 2026 Round One of the Community Grants Program were as follows:
Inclusive Communities Grants:
- Echuca Moama Australian Plants Society: $400 to support the venue hire for the Annual Native Flower Showcase.
- Rochester Senior Citizens Inc: $1,998 for catering at their High Tea/Easter Bonnet Parade.
- We Are Vivid: $4,000 for accessible music equipment and uniforms for The Adaptive Expression Experience Performing Arts Program.
Community Events and Tourism Grants:
- Rich River Calisthenics Club: $2,719.52 for the trophies at its 45th Calisthenics Competition.
- Echuca and District Netball Association: $3,000 towards items for their Annual Tournament.
- Moora Working Draught Horses Inc.: $2,500 plus $454 in-kind support for the Moora Working Draught Horse Muster.
- Rochester Go Kart Club: $5,000 for the Rochester Go Kart Club Golden Power Series.
- Rushworth Community House: $725.90 for the Rushworth Community Services Expo.
- Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival Inc.: $5,000 plus $6,222.60 of in-kind support for the Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival.
- The Foundry Arts Prize Committee: $2,450 for venue hire, catering, hire and printing costs of The Foundry 2026 Arts Prize.
Community Equipment Grants:
- Rochester Basketball Association: $2,000 toward the purchase of Basketballs for Bouncing Forward Together.
- Crossenvale Community House: $1016.30 for equipment to upgrade their community garden.
- Moama Echuca Border Raiders Soccer Association: $2,000 for new goals and nets.
- Echuca Bellas Inc: $1,682.97 for portable sound equipment for community performances.
- We Are Vivid: $2,000 for the purchase of disability accessible chairs and tables.
- Girgarre Football Netball Club Inc.: $1,549 for the purchase of junior netball equipment.
- Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning and Employment Network: $347.95 for equipment to create content to promote their programs.
- Rochester Netball Association Inc: $2,000 for portable spectator seating.
- Rushworth Football Netball Club Inc: $2,000 for the purchase of netballs.
- Kyabram Cricket Club: $2,000 for new cricket covers.
- Echuca Football Netball Club: $1,719.97 for the purchase of netball equipment.
- Echuca Moama Theatre Company: $2,000 for lighting fixtures in the new Black Box Theatre.
The second round of the Community Grants Program for 2026 opens on Friday, 1 May until 22 May on the SmartyGrants platform. Round Two includes Inclusive Communities, Equipment, Community Events and Tourism, and Junior Development Grants.
Campaspe Shire Mayor, Cr Daniel Mackrell, encouraged community groups to begin planning early.
"With four rounds of grants available each year, community groups are better able to plan ahead and align their projects with funding opportunities.
"I encourage groups to explore the grants page, understand each stream and contact our friendly grants team for advice on eligibility, documentation and timing.
"This is particularly important for event‑based grants, where allowing enough time for documentation and assessment can make a real difference." Cr Mackrell said.
Visit www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/Grants
