Funds boost plans for fire commemorations

The state government has announced a grants program to help community groups and councils undertake commemorative events and activities, and community development activities, for the 10 year anniversary of Black Saturday bushfires.

The impact of the 2009 bushfires is still experienced every day by many Victorians.

The 10 year anniversary will be a time for communities to reflect and remember the 173 people who died, and also to learn about how the fires changed the lives of so many families and communities.

State government anniversary activities will run throughout January and February 2019, culminating in a memorial event.

The government also is committing $4.4 million in funding to support anniversary activities to those affected by the 2009 bushfires.

This includes two grants programs worth $910,000 for commemoration, community development and creative arts projects.

Communities and councils across Victoria can apply for grants under the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Commemoration and Community Development Grants Scheme for two key purposes:

Commemorative activities - supporting local commemorative events and memorials for the 2009 Victorian Bushfires and

Community development activities - supporting activities or initiatives that strengthen local communities. Grants of up to $5000 will be available for: Commemorative events organised by community groups or councils;

Restoration or rejuvenation of existing memorials to the 2009 bushfire events; and

Community development activities or initiatives that improve community connectedness, social wellbeing and collaboration; build, promote and strengthen a sense of community identity; or promote community health and wellbeing.

In recent months Local Government Victoria (LGV) and Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) consulted with councils most affected by the 2009 bushfires and found that many councils and community groups were already planning commemorative events and activities within their communities.

The grant scheme enables Baw Baw Shire community groups to discuss their plans and lodge their applications via council.

Council will then submit to LGV an overall application, reflective of all applications for the municipality.

Applications close on October 8. Grant application forms are available on the Baw Baw Shire website.