Local projects and events thrive with Colac Otway’s Grants Program

Published on 26 June 2025

Community Grants.jpg

A total of 73 local projects will share in $338,500 from the Colac Otway Shire Council Grants Program.

Council has announced the recipients of its annual grants program in three funding streams – Community Grants, Events Grants and Business Grants.

The Grants Program supports a partnership between Council and not-for-profit local community organisations and businesses to achieve positive economic and social outcomes that benefit the wider community.

This year’s recipients include 44 projects in the Community Grants Stream, to a total of $224,281.

Highlights include the Apollo Bay Ocean Rescue receiving $4,613 for safety equipment; Colac Riding for the Disabled receiving $3,500 for riding and coaching carriage training $3,500 ; and $10,000 towards the restoration of Colac Fire Brigade’s original Shand Mason.

The Events Grants stream has allocated $99,219 across 24 events, including Colac Kana Festival, Birregurra’s Motor Show, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival and the Beeac Community Market.

The Business Grants stream will provide $15,000 to improve five business facades across Colac, Forrest and Cororooke.

Mayor Cr Jason Schram congratulated all the recipients.

"We are thrilled to see such a high level of interest in this year's Grants Program, and we’re excited to work in partnership on these great projects,” he said.

“From grassroots initiatives to major community events, these grants reflect our commitment to fostering a vibrant, active and happy community.

“We’re extremely grateful to all the volunteers in Colac Otway who work so hard to make the shire such a great place,” Cr Schram said.

Community Grants 2025-26

Organisation

Title

$

Apollo Bay Ocean Rescue Inc.

Safety Equipment - 2 x Defibrillators (AED) and 2 x First Aid kits

$4,613

South Sudanese Community residing in Colac

Colac South Sudanese Community Cultural Activities Program

$8,099

Colac Maker' Space

All Fired Up - Electrical upgrade to allow for kiln installation

$5,000

Creative Otways Inc

Art Fun - Pilot Project - Trial Two Models of Low-Cost Art Programs

$5,000

Colac Community Road Safety Council trading as RoadSafe Otway

Marquees and Free Community 'Safe Plate' Days

$4,952

Parkrun Australia Ltd auspice by Rotary Club of Colac

Parkrun Lake Colac Start Up Event Equipment & Defibrillator

$3,500

Southern Otway Landcare Network

Reimagining the Barham - Video Documentary & Community Art Workshops

$8,050

Colac & District Adult Riding Club Inc

Rally & Event Equipment Trailer

$8,000

Wye River Separation Creek Community Association

Wye River Water Quality Monitoring Equipment Project

$5,812

Colac & District Family History Group Inc

Computers to Future Proof Colac Family History Collection

$5,536

Let's Talk Colac

Mental Health First Aid Training

$5,804

Forrest Public Reserves Committee

Neighbourhood House Window Safety Upgrade

$7,160

Colac Football Netball Club

Behind Goal Netting at ALC Stadium Central Reserve

$10,000

Gellibrand Community House Inc

Outdoor Seating for Gellibrand Hall’s New Community Garden

$8,500

Scouts Victoria- 3rd 4th Colac Scout Group

New Shade Gazebos

$5,500

South Colac Sports Club

Upgrade of Public Seating at South Colac Netball Court

$4,031

Wye River Surf Lifesaving Club

Wye River SLSC Clubhouse Painting: Enhancing Infrastructure, Safety, and Connection

$9,786

Colac and District Cricket Association

CDCA Pitch Covering Project

$8,414

Colac Riding for the Disabled

Riding and Carriage Coaching

$3,500

Colac Yacht Club

Refurbishing Hansa Boats for SailAbility Program

$3,779

Colac Pony Club

Cross Country Course Jumps Upgrade to Safety Standards

$3,460

Red Rock District Progress Assoc Inc

Cororooke Open Space Planting, Landscaping & History Sign Project

$4,720

Colac Swimming Club

Colac Annual Swim Meet Event in Colac

$2,000

Irrewarra Cricket Club

New Centre Wicket Pitch

$4,456

Warncoort tennis Club

Warncoort Tennis Club Court Cleaning

$1,085

West Warrion Cricket Club

West Warrion Cricket Club Women's Team Equipment upgrade

$2,200

Western Eagles Football & Netball Club

Western Eagles Around the Ground Seating

$7,151

OCR FM

Production Computer

$733

Alvie Football Netball Club Inc.

Netball Court 'Warm Up' Court Surface

$6,600

Colac Unearthed

Unearthed Bites - Equipment & Floor Covering Upgrade 'office/to/class 4 food service conversion'

$10,000

Friends of Colac Botanic Gardens

New Website for the Friends of Colac Botanic Gardens

$5,000

Colac Clay Target Shooters (Colac Gun Club)

Update Automated Clay Throwing Traps

$8,890

Birregurra Men's Shed Incorporated

Heating Men's Shed

$3,815

Colac Woodcrafters Guild

New Compound Mitre Saw

$700

Forrest Horse Riding Club

Garmin GPS Device

$550

Cake Decorators Association of Victoria Colac Branch

Engage Specialist Teachers

$1,152

Lions Club of Birregurra and District

Purchase of Lawn Mower

$7,600

Colac Mallet Sports Club Inc

Upgrade Clubroom Kitchen Appliances

$771

Colac Fire Brigade

Restoration of Historic Shand Mason for Community Display

$10,000

Birregurra Football and Netball Club

New Fryers in the Clubroom Kitchen

$8,541

Irrewarra-Beeac Football Netball Club Inc.

Netball Court Seating for Spectators

$1,648

Otway Harvest Trail

Develop a Business Plan for the Otway Harvest Trail

$1,500

Red Rock Regional Theatre And Gallery

The Big Lift' Tree Planting Project at RRRTAG

$4,000

Warrowie Recreation Reserve Irrewarra

Kitchen Equipment Upgrade

$2,673

 

Totals

$224,281

 

Events Grants 2025-26

Organisation

Event Title

 

$

Colac Orchid Club

Colac Annual Orchid Show and Sales 2025

$1,500

Colac Area Health Foundation

Otways Winter Festival 2025

$4,825

Elliminyt Primary School

Elliminyt Primary School Production 2025

$2,500

Southern Exposure Eco Adventure Sports

Run Forrest Trail Run 2026

$5,000

Colac West Primary School

Colac West Primary School Concert 2025

$2,316

Birregurra Motor Enthusiasts Club Inc

Birregurra Motor Show 2026

$5,000

Colac City Band Inc.

Colac City Band Carols by Candlelight 2025

$5,000

Birregurra Community Group Inc

Birregurra Community Day 2025

$4,357

Rapid Ascent

Otway Odyssey & Great Otway Gravel Grind 2026

$5,000

Apollo Bay WORDfest a subgroup of Apollo Bay Arts Inc

Apollo Bay WORDfest 2025: Real & Imagined

$5,000

Rotary Club of Colac

AKD Otway Trail Run 2026

$5,000

Rotary Club of Colac West

Say No to Domestic Violence Awarness Parade

$2,000

Colac Chamber of Commerce

Colac Otway Business Awards

$5,000

International Management Group of America

Great Ocean Road Running Festival 2026

$5,000

Beeac Progress Association

Beeac Community Market 2025/26 season

$5,000

Conservation Ecology Centre

Otways Ecological Research Forum 2025

$4,703

Warrnambool Citizens Road Race Committee

Dirty Warrny 2025

$5,000

Community Hub Inc

Colac Otway Volunteer Expo 2026

$2,108

Swim Apollo Bay

Swim Apollo Bay 2026

$5,000

Wye to Wongarra Landcare Group Inc

Petticoat Creek Guided Rockpool Ramble

$867

Colac Kana Festival Inc

Colac Kana Festival Inc 2026

$5,000

Birregurra Recreation Reserve Committee of Management

The next Big Gig! Rec Reserve Facilities Upgrade Fundraising event

$5,000

Colac Fire Brigade

Colac Truck & Ute Show 2026

$5,000

Apollo Bay & Otway District Agricultural Show Society

Apollo Bay & Otway District Agricultural Show 2026

$4,043

 

 

$99,219

Business Grants 2025-26

Organisation

Project Title

Recommended $

Colac Tenpin Bowl

Colac Tenpin Bowl Bromfield Street Exterior Repaint

$3,000

Owner 86 Murray Street Colac

Facade Improvements

$3,000

Dar Teta

Facade / Outdoor Dining Improvement

$3,000

Forrest MTB Hire

Repair facade and verandah

$3,000

AK & ME Beale

Cororooke Bakery Façade improvements

$3,000

 

 

$15,000

 

 

 

 

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