Our friendly staff look forward to assisting with your enquiry.
Are you part of a community group holding an event to mark Australia Day 2025?
We have small grants available for community organisations to help them celebrate Australia Day in a way that is meaningful to the local community.
Mayor Cr John White said grants of between $500 to $750 are available.
To support as many towns as possible, we are only able to award one grant per town. We would like activities on Australia Day to be free; however, we understand organisers may seek some donations to subsidise other costs.
Expressions of Interest close on Wednesday 11 December at 5pm.
Anyone with questions about the grants can contact Council’s Community Development Officer on 03 5153 9500 or email communitygrants@egipps.vic.gov.au.
As part of next year’s Australia Day events, Council will hold the shire-wide 2025 Australia Day Awards in Orbost on Saturday, January 18 at Forest Park which recently had a $1.9 million upgrade.
Australia Day community event Expression of Interest form
Ten community groups have been awarded funding through our Community Small Grants Program.
The program provides up to $3,000 per project for initiatives that strengthen social ties, improve safety, support local governance and enhance community well-being.
The 2024-25 Community Small Grants Program recipients are:
• Bairnsdale Rowing Club – Portable pump and hose pressure washer, $1,257
• Bairnsdale Speedway – Upgrades of safety communications radios, $2,995
• Gelantipy Landcare Group – Native plant and shrub propagation bedding system, $1,895
• Hinnomunjie Camp Draft – Upgrade of event fencing yards, $3,000
• Mountain Bike East Gippsland Inc. – Trail maintenance at Mount Taylor and Colquhoun mountain bike parks, $1,500
• Orbost Indoor Stadium Committee – Backboard repairs, $3,000
• Orbost Pony Club – Expand and diversify equestrian training opportunities, $1,500
• Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre – Money Matters for Women (financial wellbeing initiative), $1,984
• Sarah Bell (producer; auspiced by Gippsland Lakes Complete Health) – Emerging producer play development, $2,160
• Visionaries Group (auspiced by U3A Bairnsdale) – Event for the blind and low-vision community, $3,000
All of the successful applicants have been notified via SmartyGrants by letter and email of the decision. Council is also committed to supporting those who missed out. Guidance and feedback will be offered to help these groups refine their proposals and prepare for future funding rounds.
We use the SmartyGrants program to manage applications. To apply for a grant for the first time, your community group or organisation will need to register via the SmartyGrants platform.
Guidelines – Community Grants Program guidelines
The next round of Community Grants has not yet opened.
Please email our Community Development Officer on communitygrants@egipps.vic.gov.au
or call 03 5153 9500 if you have any questions.
The Assets and Environment directorate has developed a new process for the community or property owners to apply for land manger consent.
Land Manager consent is required for any works on Council-owned or managed land. It is also required for grant applications where the grant works or event will be conducted on Council-owned or managed land .
Grant application support letters will be assessed by the Manager Community Facilities and Open Spaces.
Click here for grant information pertaining to your application.
Reading about past projects that have received funding can help you with project ideas, or give you an understanding of the types of things we fund.
Approved projects 2020-21 - Round Two
If you would like to view previous approved projects or have any questions please contact the Community Development Officer.
Following the successful delivery of the Digital Confidence Program in 2024 we are excited to announce that GippsTech has been engaged to deliver round 2 of the Digital Confidence Program in 2025.
This program had been designed and delivered to support our businesses across East Gippsland to thrive in the digital economy. The program has been funded from Emergency Recovery Victoria under the ‘Business and Economic Recovery and Resilience Grant’ in response to the 2019/20 bushfires that significantly impacted the region and is aimed at rebuilding and strengthening our local business community.
The program will target 35-40 businesses, providing individualised support, designed to help small and medium enterprises build confidence in the use of digital tools. The delivery of this program will include tailored services for participants such as:
• Digital Health Checks: Assessments to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities in each business's digital capabilities.
• Digital Roadmaps: Actionable plans to guide digital improvement aligned with business goals.
• Group Workshops: Group workshops focused on universal topics that all business owners will benefit from
• One-on-One Mentoring: Customised guidance to address individual business needs.
• Case Studies: Demonstrating tangible outcomes and success stories from participating businesses.
We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of the 2025 Digital Confidence Program and supporting local businesses as they continue to grow and adapt in an increasingly digital world.
To express interest in participating in this program please email Economic.Development@egipps.vic.gov.au.
The East Gippsland Shire Council is excited to provide the ‘East Gippsland Grant Finder’ to all local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals. This site provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available to you from many sources including State and Federal Government, corporate and philanthropic.
Our free service means you will never miss a grant opportunity again.
Register to receive emailed alerts for new grants, save your favourites and access tips to help you apply for grants.
The East Gippsland Shire Council is proud to partner with Grant Guru to provide you with this service. See our Top Tips and Grant Writers if you need additional help.
To learn more, please visit our community grants page.