Baw Baw Shire Council has awarded $49,200 in first round grant funding to local individuals and not-for-profit community groups to support the delivery of events and ambassadorship opportunities.
As part of Round 1 of Council’s 2022/23 Community Sponsorship program, $45,700 in funding will be granted to support the delivery of a variety of community events, while two individual and two group ambassadors will receive a combined $3,500 in funding to support their involvement in upcoming events as representatives of the region.
Here is the breakdown of this year’s sponsorship recipients:
Community Ambassadors
- Brett Osler – Representing Baw Baw familial connections to ANZACs at the 2023 AFL Europe Cup 2023.
- Damien Smith – Representing Baw Baw at the World Iron Man Championships in Hawaii.
- Warragul Little Athletics – Representing Baw Baw at the Gippsland Regional Relays.
- Warragul Amateur Swimming Club – State and performance level swimmers competing at ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Swimming Competition in Darwin.
Community Events
- Thorpdale Potato Festival Committee Inc – Supporting the delivery of the Thorpdale Potato Festival.
- Erica and District Historical Society Inc – Supporting the delivery of the “Return to Rawson and Districts, the Thomson Dam Towns” event.
- Drouin Ficifolia Festival Committee Inc – Supporting the delivery of the Ficifolia Festival.
- Neerim District Senior Citizens Club – Supporting the delivery of a Senior’s Week concert.
- Landcare Victoria Inc. FOR Tanjil Valley Landcare – Supporting the delivery of the launch of the Landcare walking track extension in Willow Grove.
- Baw Baw Sustainability Network – Supporting the delivery of Creative Harvest.
- Drouin Combined Churches Committee – Supporting the delivery of the Drouin Carols by Candlelight.
- Ghostlight Theatre – Supporting the performance of ‘Into the Woods’ at West Gippsland Arts Centre.
- Latrobe Valley Model Railway Association – Supporting the LVMRA Model Railway Exhibition in Warragul.
- Neerim District Pony Club Inc – Supporting the delivery of a family friendly event with an outdoor Cinema screening of “The Man from Snowy River”.
- Warragul Camera Club Inc – Supporting the delivery of the 50th Anniversary of Warragul ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Photographic Competition and Exhibition.
The annual Community Sponsorship program aims to support delivery of vibrant community events and/or support individuals/groups competing in or attending an event to become ambassadors for our region whilst representing Baw Baw Shire.
Community members and groups seeking financial assistance to support an upcoming event or ambassadorship are encouraged to explore the funding opportunities offered by the Council Community Sponsorship program.
Submissions for the final round of Community Sponsorship funding this financial year will open on 6 March 2023 until 3 April 2023. Applications can be made via appointment either in person or over the phone during this time.
For application information and eligibility, please visit
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
“We are thrilled to support this round of successful recipients and help see them through the delivery of local events and ambassadorship opportunities that benefit our wider community.
Through our annual Community Sponsorship program, we aim to help our residents develop positive outcomes for their community and contribute towards making Baw Baw a vibrant and exciting place to live.”
