YARRA RANGES SHIRE, VIC. — Six new community-led initiatives will bring connection, enjoyment, and convenience to the Dandenong Ranges community, thanks to the Community Pitch Project.
The pilot project commenced in March this year and will be expanded across all Yarra Ranges regions over two years.
The first round of the pilot in the Dandenong Ranges saw committed community members come together to identify and develop programs or initiatives they felt would directly benefit their local community.
Streeton Ward Councillor Jeff Marriott said the community had embraced the program, and he looked forward to seeing the projects they have selected come to life in the coming months.
“The program brought community members together, through a series of workshops, to help them develop the skills needed to take a project from an initial idea all the way through to delivery.
“It was fantastic to be part of these workshops to see how participants built on each other’s great ideas, and shaped them into practical projects that will make a real difference in the community.”
“I’m delighted to share that six of these projects have been chosen by the group and will now receive funding or in-kind support from Council to help bring them to life,” Cr Marriott said.
The projects chosen by the group include:
- Vibe the Light ($9,672) – Vibe the Light youth and parent/carer connect workshops include music, upcycled fashion and creative projects, and young people helping design and create future Vibe the Light Discos. The workshops create inclusive, welcoming spaces for young people and carers to connect, create and meet people.
- Share Shed ($9,484) -will establish a series of pilot workshops where people of all ages can connect, learn and create together. Through workshops, mentoring and shared access to equipment, participants will develop practical skills, confidence and meaningful relationships that may otherwise be inaccessible due to cost.
- Belonging Matters ($8,844) – A new program of youth-focused creative wellbeing activities and a diverse mix of creative experiences, access to training and technology, and the opportunity to develop work towards a future exhibition.
- Hills Homeshare ($7,000) – A project that aims to connect people with a spare room to those in need of affordable, secure housing.
- Kites in the Cloud (in-kind support) – Kite flying lessons at various locations across the Hills to bring people of all ages and abilities together to build stronger social relationships.
- Lockerpoint (in-kind support) – Supporting the rollout of the Lockerpoint network, an inclusive public parcel locker network, supporting residents, small businesses and community groups throughout the Yarra Ranges.
“Throughout the two-year pilot, we’ll continue to evaluate what’s working well and where we can improve, using what we learn in each region to strengthen the program as it rolls out in the next,” Cr Marriott said.
