Council funds 18 community groups through Community Grants program

Published on 16 April 2026

Muckleford Cricket Club Inc., Castlemaine Documentary Festival & Club CDoc and the Neates Rd Neighbourhood News are among the community groups to receive funding in the latest round of Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Community Grants program.

Council has awarded 18 community groups with funding to deliver projects across the shire that strengthen community safety, connection, wellbeing and participation.

One of the funded projects is the Local Access to Sport and Activity Program, led by the Guildford Progress Association, which aims to improve local access to sport and physical activity and support healthier, more connected communities.

Another funded initiative is Together In My Backyard, delivered by Mount Alexander Community Land Ltd, to support a community driven innovative housing solution.

Other projects supported through this round include community defibrillator installations, an accessible theatre program delivered by The Ravens Theatre Company in collaboration with Castlemaine Secondary College, playgroup and family space revitalisations in Elphinstone and Harcourt, bushfire awareness projects, landcare and wildlife recovery initiatives, volunteer connection and storytelling programs, and inclusive health and wellbeing workshops.

Mayor Toby Heydon said that Council is proud to continue backing community-led projects through this program.

“Community groups and clubs are the heart of our shire, and despite the very constrained financial position facing us all at this time, we want them to feel supported in all the positive work that they do’, said Mayor Heydon.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to support initiatives that bring people together, foster creativity and respond to local needs.

“Congratulations to all our grant recipients. I’m excited to see these amazing projects come to life.”

To read the full list of funded events, visit the Community Grants page on the Council website. 

The next round of Community Grants will open in August 2026.