Beechworth – Indigo Shire

The Drag’d Out Beechworth festival celebrates the art form of Drag, uniting people from diverse backgrounds. The event attracts audiences from far and wide, including those reconnecting with their hometown. The festival offers inclusive and safe entertainment for all ages, featuring local and international DJs, talented Kings and Queens, Drag Bingo and Trivia, Q&A sessions, a drag talent contest, and a family-friendly Frock up Family Day. The festival emphasises cultural safety, accessibility, and supports local businesses and suppliers.

Violet Town – Strathbogie Shire

Jack Attack is a fun and fast-paced adaption of lawn bowls, aimed to encourage participation with non-bowling members of the community. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome, with experienced club members mentoring novices. The event fosters a fun sense of competition and friendly rivalry among participants.

Beechworth – Indigo Shire

Dreams can Come True Formal Wear Hire is a project initiated in Beechworth to address the financial challenges faced by families in attending debutante balls, school formals, and weddings after the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognising the abundance of unused garments in closets, the project focuses on recycling and reusing dresses. With ongoing community support, including repairs, cleaning, and steaming services, the initiative has seen over 50 debutantes and brides benefited, and there is a growing need for expanding this project to other towns.

Beechworth – Indigo Shire

The Dining Scarves Project provides dining scarves, a dignified alternative to bibs, for adults in assisted living and hospital environments in Beechworth. The project, originated from discussions on the local Facebook community page which identified the need to ensure an easier dining experience for older community members.  Donations of fabric and bedlinen were received and volunteers eagerly offered their assistance to make the scarves.

City of Banyule, Ballarat, Knox, Bayside, Boroondara, and Frankston

The ENJOY MAP for HEALTH is a collaborative project establishing age-friendly outdoor spaces in six Victorian municipalities. The initiative aims to promote physical and social activities for older individuals, fostering healthier and more livable cities and communities. Specialised exercise equipment, coupled with promotion and capacity building activities, have created active parks. These spaces serve as social hubs where older people can gather, exercise, and socialise, reaping the added health benefits of being outdoors.

Horsham – Rural City of Horsham

Baking From the Heart in Horsham, in collaboration with Wimmera Cancer Centre, is supported by a group of local people who enjoy baking, with the aim of providing hospice and palliative care patients with comforting homemade treats. Operating without meetings or fundraising, they fill 25 cake boxes with goodies every six to eight weeks. The initiative is further supported by Horsham Craft For a Cause, The Rotary Club of Horsham East, Wimmera Cancer Centre, and Wimmera Design and Print.

St Kilda – City of Port Phillip

Headspace Bentleigh and the Port Phillip EcoCentre have forged a pioneering partnership, engaging young volunteers in a range of environmental activities. These include crafting bird boxes, planting at the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve, and supporting the penguins of St Kilda Pier. Through this collaboration, the EcoCentre promotes self-development and community involvement, while Headspace Bentleigh offers youth mental health services. Supported by Parks Victoria and the Volunteering Innovation Fund, the 10-week program enables young participants to explore their connection to nature, discover potential career paths, and establish avenues for future environmental volunteering. The program was recognised as a case study by the Victorian Government during National Volunteer Week 2022.

Geelong – City of Greater Geelong

Geelong Sustainability, in collaboration with the CSIRO and Greater Geelong Council, spearheaded the Climate Safe Rooms project. The project’s goal is to enhance home comfort by creating energy-efficient rooms that withstand temperature extremes. These rooms are fully insulated, draft-proofed, and equipped with high-efficiency air-conditioning and small solar systems to offset costs. The project also assessed the health benefits and energy bill savings resulting from improved year-round home comfort.