Creative Ideas Come to Life with $25,000 Funding Boost

Published on 28 October 2026

From community singing and short filmmaking to inclusive music collaborations and creative workshops, six projects across Moyne Shire are set to come to life thanks to a new $25,000 funding boost.

Moyne Shire Council's 2026–27 Creative Change Grants Program will support a diverse range of initiatives designed to nurture local talent, encourage creative participation and bring communities together.

The funding pool has been boosted by a very generous $10,000 contribution from the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations, building on Council's $15,000 investment and enabling more projects to be supported.

Among the successful initiatives are a community singing project celebrating Koroit's Irish heritage, a new short-film competition, opportunities for musicians with disability to collaborate and perform, and creative workshops encouraging connection and skill-sharing.

Moyne Shire Mayor Councillor Jordan Lockett said the grants were an important investment in the region's creative community.

"We have so much creative talent across Moyne, and these grants give people the opportunity to turn their ideas into something that benefits the wider community," Cr Lockett said.

"What's exciting about this year's projects is the variety of ideas and the opportunities they create for people to get involved, whether that's making music, sharing stories, developing new skills or connecting with others through creativity.

"These projects not only support our local artists and creatives, they also help build vibrant, connected communities and contribute to the cultural life of our towns."

The program attracted strong interest, with 11 eligible applications seeking more than $45,000 in funding.

Cr Lockett thanked the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations for its support, which enabled Council to extend the reach of the program.

"The Foundation's generous contribution has made a real difference, allowing us to support more projects and create more opportunities for our creative community.

"It's a great example of what can be achieved when local government and philanthropy work together to invest in our region."

The Creative Change Grants Program supports Council's Arts and Culture Strategy, which aims to strengthen the creative sector, foster connections and expand opportunities for people to participate in arts and culture across Moyne.

For more information about the Creative Change Grants Program and other arts and cultural opportunities across Moyne, visit www.moyne.vic.gov.au/CreativeMoyne