February 2019 marks the tenth anniversary of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, Black Saturday, one of the worst natural disasters our State has seen.
The 2009 bushfires and their effects are still experienced every day by many Victorians.
The 10 year anniversary is a time for us all 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.
Victorian Government anniversary activities will run throughout January and February 2019, culminating in a memorial event.
Further details of the memorial event will be available on this website in the coming months.
The Victorian Government is also committing $4.4 million in funding to support anniversary activities in bushfire-affected communities.
This includes two grants programs worth $910,000 for commemoration, community development and creative arts projects.
Supporting local areas to remember and recover
The Victorian Government is providing grants to help community groups and councils across Victoria undertake creative arts, community development, and commemorative activities for the 10 year anniversary of the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
Funding will be available through the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Commemoration and Community Development Grants Scheme and the Community Arts Grants Program.
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Commemoration and Community Development Grants Scheme
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.
What will be funded?
Grants of up to $5,000 (GST-free) will be available for:
- commemorative events organised by community groups or councils
- restoration or rejuvenation of existing memorials to the 2009 bushfire events
- community development activities or initiatives that:
- improve community connectedness, social wellbeing and collaboration
- build, promote and strengthen a sense of community identity
- promote community health and wellbeing
Who can apply?
Funding for commemorative activities will be available to communities and councils across Victoria.
Community development funding will be available for new or existing community groups in affected communities within the 21 local government areas directly impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires. Applications from other local government areas will be considered in exceptional circumstances.
21 impacted local government areas
- Alpine Shire Council
- Baw Baw Shire Council
- Cardinia Shire Council
- City of Casey
- Corangamite Shire
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Hepburn Shire Council
- Horsham Rural City Council
- Indigo Shire Council
- Latrobe City Council
- Macedon Ranges Shire Council
- Mitchell Shire Council
- Mount Alexander Shire Council
- Murrindindi Shire Council
- Nillumbik Shire Council
- Shire of South Gippsland
- Southern Grampians Shire Council
- Rural City of Wangaratta
- Wellington Shire Council
- Whittlesea Council
- Yarra Ranges Council
How do I apply?
Community groups will be able to lodge funding applications through their local council from 10 September 2018 to 8 October 2018. Councils will then recommend applications for funding from their communities to Local Government Victoria (LGV) by 15 October 2018.
How will my application be assessed?
Councils will be asked to confirm the eligibility of each activity against the program guidelines, then consolidate and on-forward applications for funding. Applications received from councils will then be assessed against the assessment criteria by an evaluation panel consisting of LGV, Emergency Management Victoria and the Department of Health and Human Services representatives.
How will I find out if I’m successful?
Councils will notify applicants if their application has been successful by no later than 10 November 2018.
For more information
For more information download the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Commemoration and Community Development Grants Scheme Guidelines.
Requests for further information can be sent to local.government@delwp.vic.gov.au with the subject “2009 Victorian Bushfires Commemoration and Community Development Grants Scheme”.
Community Arts Grants Program
Funding up to $8,000 per local government area will be available through Regional Arts Victoria for communities and individuals from the 21 local government areas directly affected by the 2009 bushfires to undertake creative projects that reflect the experiences of local communities.
What will be funded?
Creative projects which reflect the experience of local communities impacted by the 2009 bushfires and will occur in one of the local government areas eligible for funding.
Who can apply?
Individuals and community organisations within the 21 local government areas most directly affected by the 2009 bushfires:
- Alpine Shire Council
- Baw Baw Shire Council
- Cardinia Shire Council
- City of Casey
- Corangamite Shire
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Hepburn Shire Council
- Horsham Rural City Council
- Indigo Shire Council
- Latrobe City Council
- Macedon Ranges Shire Council
- Mitchell Shire Council
- Mount Alexander Shire Council
- Murrindindi Shire Council
- Nillumbik Shire Council
- Shire of South Gippsland
- Southern Grampians Shire Council
- Rural City of Wangaratta
- Wellington Shire Council
- Whittlesea Council
- Yarra Ranges Council
How do I apply?
Applications will open mid October 2018 and close on 31 January 2019. Applicants will be expected to work closely with Regional Arts Victoria’s Recovery Facilitator for guidance and support in developing their application. More information about opening dates and application criteria will be made available in the coming weeks.
For more information
More information will be made available about the grants program in the coming weeks.
Support is available
The 2009 bushfires were a traumatic and distressing event. It is normal to have strong reactions following a distressing or frightening event and as the anniversary approaches, people may begin to feel grief and experience strong emotional reactions.
Everyone responds to traumatic events differently, and some may experience a range of physical, mental, and emotional reactions.
These reactions are normal. Anyone experiencing problems or changes in behaviour should contact their doctor, mental health professional, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 for help and support.
Further support services and recovery advice is available here:
Further information can be found by contacting your local council.
