Community Grants

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This Round Is Now Closed.

Community Grants support projects that strengthen local communities and deliver social, environmental and economic benefits across the Colac Otway Shire. Funding is available for community groups delivering projects, activities, services, equipment purchases and new initiatives.

What can be funded?

Projects may relate to:

Environment
Arts and culture
Sport and recreation
Health and wellbeing, including access, equity and inclusion
Strategic planning and training
Community placemaking, streetscape and open space improvements
Equipment purchases
Facility upgrades

Grant Amounts

Grants from $500 up to $10,000 maximum.

All grants require a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution which may be cash and/or in-kind.

Guidelines

Click to view Guidelines - Community Grants 2026/2027(PDF, 359KB)

Why You Should Read the Grant Guidelines

1. To know if you’re eligible

Guidelines explain who can apply, what types of projects are supported, and any property or organisational requirements. This helps you avoid spending time on an application that can’t be funded.

2. To understand what funding can (and can’t) be used for

They outline eligible and ineligible expenses, funding caps, and any mandatory project components.

3. To make sure your application is strong

Guidelines detail:

assessment criteria
what evidence or documents you need
how applications are scored or prioritised

Knowing this lets you tailor your application effectively.

4. To be aware of compliance requirements

This includes:

Acquittal reporting obligations
Payment conditions
Landowner consent
Permits and Approvals
Timelines and milestones
Responsibilities once funded

Reading them upfront reduces surprises later.

5. To avoid delays or rejection

Missing required information, forms, approvals, or deadlines often results in applications being deemed incomplete or ineligible.

6. To understand your responsibilities

If successful, you’ll need to meet certain conditions. Understanding these early ensures you can actually deliver what the grant requires.

To Apply

This round has closed on 10 April 2026.

Subscribe to be notified when the next round opens: Grants e-Newsletters - Colac Otway Shire

Recipients 2026 / 2027

COMMUNITY GRANTS stream
Anam Cara House Colac	Bathroom Upgrade	$5,000
Apollo Bay Senior Citizens Centre	Digital and Meeting Space Upgrades	$5,000
Meriba Service Club of Colac	Laptop for School Breakfast Program	$1,746
Beeac Progress Association	Outdoor Powerpoints at Main St Beeac Park	$2,190
Colac & District Pastoral & Agricultural Society	Defibrillator and Baby Change Table	$1,548
Colac Otway Residents Action Group Inc	School Lunch Program	$2,000
Rotary Club of Colac West	Books for Babies and Prep Students	$5,000
Cressy Working Sheep Dog Club	Sheepyard Upgrade at Recreation Reserve	$1,500
Colac Maker's Space Inc	Kiln	$2,250
Forrest Public Reserves Committee	Community Hub On-Site Signage	$2,002
Cultura	Water Safety Program for CALD Women	$3,792
Wye to Wongarra Landcare Group Inc	Pollinator Awareness and Habitat Program - Kennett & Wye Rivers	$2,444
Colac and District Cricket Association (Junior)	Junior Winter Cricket Academy	$2,000
Birregurra Mechanics Hall	Sound Equipment Upgrade	$10,000
Geelong & South Western Rail Heritage Society Inc	Birregurra Station Room Upgrade	$1,320
Colac Pony Club	Show Jumping Accessories	$1,141
Birregurra Men's Shed Inc	BBQ Trailer for Community Events	$4,100
Wye River Separation Creek Community Association	Water Testing Equipment	$1,801
Forrest MTB & Cycling Club	Wheelchair Accessible BBQ at Mountain Bike Trailhead	$6,380
U3A Apollo Bay	Movie Screen Licence	$544
City United Cricket Club	Junior Bowling Machine	$3,280
Coragulac & District Kindergarten	Table Upgrades	$3,176
Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club	Security Cameras	$3,770
Colac Golf Club Inc	Trees & Shrub Replacement	$646
Colac Yacht Club	Repairs and Internal Painting	$2,455
Apollo Bay Men's Shed	Kitchen Upgrade	$714
Colac Cranks auspice by Colac Area Health	Bike Trailer, Secure Racks & Safety Lighting	$2,390
Beech Forest Community Asset Committee	Landscaping & Seating	$7,900
Lions Club of Colac Inc	Laptops for Club Administration	$1,857
Cake Decorators Association of Victoria-Colac Branch	Specialist Teachers	$643
Colac Lawn Tennis Club	Shade Cloth Replacement	$3,089
Beeac Golf Club	Mower for Fairway	$7,500
Colac & District Family History Group Inc	Shelving for History Preservation	$1,498
Western Victorian Axemen's Association	Drills	$769
Apollo Bay Golf Club	Auto-mower	$4,900
Colac Woodcrafters Guild	Flatbed Sander	$2,000
Colac Mallet Sports Club Inc	Grounds Maintenance Equipment	$534
Apollo Bay Bowls Club Inc	Exterior Refurbishment - Painting	$10,000
Tomahawk Creek Cricket Club	Facilities & Grounds Mower	$7,500
Barwon Downs Tennis Club	Tennis Courts Nets	$500
Patanga Park Scout Camp Management Committee	Outdoor Solar Security Lighting	$2,250
Forrest Horse Riding Club	Hot Water Unit	$790
Cororooke Tennis Club	History Honour Board	$800
Colac Riding for the Disabled	Horse Management & Welfare	$3,500
Old Beechy Rail Trail Friends Inc	Trakers - Counters for Data Collection	$3,175
Colac and District Dog Obedience Club Inc	Training Equipment	$3,500
Log Cabin Committee - Scouts	Dishwasher for Scouts Log Cabin Facility	$1,100
Western Eagles Football and Netball Club	Netball Equipment for Junior Development	$990
Irrewarra Cricket Club	Tables & Chairs	$3,105
Irrewarra-Beeac Football Netball Club Inc	Oven Replacement	$2,500
Colac Imperials Football Netball Club	Commercial Deep Fryer	$3,347
South Colac Sports Club	Goal Post Netting	$5,000
Alvie Football Netball Club Inc	Security Upgrade	$4,350
RoadSafe Otway	Marketing/Branding Assets, Storage & Cleaning Equipment	$2,000
Gellibrand Public Hall Inc	Create a Private Meeting Room	$9,595
Colac & District Historical Society Inc	Photocopier	$650
Colac & District Football Netball League Inc	Marquee for Shade	$2,228
	Total	$175,759