Supporting the Bellarine’s big ideas

IF you spend any time looking through the projects supported by the city’s Community Grants program, you’ll quickly see an incredible range of work happening across the Bellarine.

From upgrades at Ocean Grove Tennis Club to habitat restoration in Clifton Springs, a regional glassmaking facility in Drysdale and the preservation of local history in St Leonards, the grants are supporting a wide variety of local community groups and projects that strengthen our region.

The City of Greater Geelong’s 2026–27 Community Grants are now open and with more than $2.5m available across 12 different grants, I’d love to see as many Bellarine groups as possible consider applying.

The grants are designed to support local community groups, not-for-profits, individuals, schools and businesses to turn ideas that will benefit the community into a reality.

Funding is available for community infrastructure, environmental sustainability, events, creative projects, health and wellbeing initiatives, community equipment, First Nations initiatives and community strengthening activities.

Past projects to receive funding on the Bellarine demonstrate just how broad those opportunities can be.

The Ocean Grove Tennis Club received a $250,000 grant to help redevelop the Shell Road clubhouse, creating a more accessible and inclusive facility that better meets the needs of players and visitors for many years to come.

Our environment has also benefited through projects such as Clifton Springs Curlewis Coastcare’s habitat restoration initiative, which is improving native vegetation along the foreshore through weed removal and indigenous planting.

Meanwhile, funding for the Festival of Glass will help establish the first regional community flamework glass facility at the Drysdale Community Hub, creating opportunities for artists, hobbyists and the wider community to learn and create.

Another wonderful example is the St Leonards Memorial Hall centenary history project, which is documenting the stories behind one of the town’s most important community buildings so they can be preserved and shared with future generations.

These projects are all very different, but they all strengthen the community, and all began with local people noticing something missing in their community and putting in the work to make it happen.

For many community groups, particularly those run entirely by volunteers, preparing a grant application can feel daunting.

Finding the right funding opportunity, understanding eligibility requirements and writing a strong application all take time and effort.

To better support applicants this year, the city has launched a new and interactive online grant writing course. It covers how to find funding opportunities, understand guidelines and write clear and strong applications.

A key focus for the city is making sure our community grants reach a broad cross-section of the community and support projects that reflect the diversity, strength and aspirations of our residents.

Whether it’s your first time applying for funding, or you’re looking to brush up on your grant writing skills, I encourage you all to take advantage of the resources, information sessions and workshops.

To discuss your project or get help with the application process, contact the city’s Community Grants team at [email protected] or call 5272 5560.

To see a full breakdown of the available grants, or to register for grant-writing sessions, visit geelong.link/community-grants

Cr Elise Wilkinson

Conneware ward,

City of Greater Geelong