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South West Community Foundation Latest News

  • Screen Shot 2025-10-17 At 11.23.50 Am
    October 17, 2025

    Koroit & District Community Fund – Grant Round OPEN!

    The Koroit & District Community Fund is accepting Expressions of Interest for grants of up to $10,000; whether its a new arts initiative, a health & wellbeing project or something that strengthens community connection. Past funded projects include; Lifeline SW’s...

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Jul 23

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South West Victoria is stronger because of the diversity of people who call it home.

South West Community Foundation is proud to support the Warrnambool Multicultural 
Association through a 2025-26 strategic grant and our Community Charitable Trust, helping make giving to this important organisation simple, structured and tax-deductible.

From community programs to the Warrnambool Multicultural Festival, the WMA brings people together in a meaningful way across our region.

Donate or register your interest in the 2026 festival at multiculturalswvic.org.au

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Jul 21

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🌿 Supporting local projects through community giving 🌿

South West Community Foundation (SWCF) is proud to work alongside local organisations like the Friends of the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens (FWBG) to help turn community generosity into lasting local impact.

Through the Community Charity Fund, SWCF provides a simple and secure way for donors, families, businesses, and supporters to contribute to causes they care about. Donations can then be directed into dedicated sub-funds, ensuring funds are managed transparently and used for their intended purpose.

Our Executive Officer, Alison, recently attended the FWBG Annual General Meeting and heard about the wonderful work being achieved at the gardens, including the exciting Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo Sculpture Project. It was also a pleasure to hear from guest speaker Jane Edmanson OAM from ABC’s Gardening Australia, who shared her passion and knowledge about the gardens and this special project.

If you would like to support the Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo Sculpture Project, a beautiful addition to the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens, please contact:
📧 info@southwestcommunityfoundation.org and we can share how to donate.

Together, we can help create meaningful and lasting benefits for our community. 💚

Photo: The 2026/27 Friends of the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens committee.

#SouthWestCommunityFoundation #CommunityGiving #WarrnamboolBotanicGardens #LocalImpact

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Jul 19

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Building understanding, connection and inclusion in Colac, one workshop at a time.

We were proud to support Cultura Colac in delivering their first Cultural Awareness Workshop at U3A Colac, developed alongside the Colac Intercultural Committee to reflect real local perspectives and community needs.

Two more sessions are on the way later this year, thanks to funds from our Colac Community Fund. We can't wait to see the continued impact.

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Jul 17

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Keeping SWCF informed, prepared and secure in a changing digital world.

This week, Alison and Maggie were delighted to attend an informative AI and Cyber Security for Business workshop hosted by our IT partner, Gunners Business Solutions (GBS), at the Warrnambool Golf Club.

Presented by leading industry practitioners Mark Voyce and Paul Barge, the session provided valuable insights into how organisations can safely embrace AI while strengthening their cyber security practices.

Mark shared his expertise on the future of work, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and how regional organisations can use AI securely and sensibly to improve outcomes for customers and communities.

Paul provided an eye-opening look into today’s cyber threat landscape, including real Australian breach examples, ransomware and phishing trends, AI-driven cybercrime, the importance of the human factor, the Cyber Security Act 2024, and practical protection strategies such as the Essential Eight.

We walked away with practical knowledge and actions to help us better protect, prepare, and respond to evolving cyber risks.

A big thank you to GBS, Mark, and Paul for an engaging and valuable workshop. We appreciate your support in helping SWCF continue to build a safe, secure, and future-ready organisation.

#CyberSecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalSafety #CommunityCare #SWCF #GBS

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Jul 16

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The South West Community Foundation has awarded a 2025/26 Strategic Grant to a regional creative initiative that places young people at the centre of creative activations in their own communities.

The project, dubbed 'Creative Uprising' until participants rebrand it, is designed to empower young creatives, strengthening connections, confidence and creative pathways across our region.

A key feature of Creative Uprising is that young people will not just participate — they will take the lead as creative producers, advisors and decision-makers. They will share their perspectives and co-design activities as a collective, creating meaningful opportunities for intergenerational exchange, youth participation and leadership.

Led by Regional Arts Victoria and partnering Councils across Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne and Warrnambool, the collaborative project is also assisted by the Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund, administered by Regional Arts Australia.

It responds to what local young creatives are asking for today — safe, accessible spaces to connect, create & learn in — both locally and online.

It aims to address shared challenges including access, visibility, confidence, pathways and connection, whilst supporting local creative organisations and venues to become more welcoming, accessible and youth-focused. 

Regional Arts Victoria, CEO Jo Porter said: “Thank you to South West Community Foundation for supporting this important work, and helping create opportunities for young people to live, work and thrive creatively in regional Victoria.”

Pictured: Young people at Expressions Festival in Gippsland, 2024, on which Creative Uprising is modelled. Photograph: Lauren Murphy.

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Jul 14

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We are thrilled to announce that GreenPrint Projects is a recipient of the South West Community Foundation (SWCF) Strategic Grant for 2025/26.

Executive Officer, Anthea Rafferty said, "this support will help us continue creating Living Classrooms — transforming underused spaces in schools and communities into vibrant outdoor learning environments where young people connect with nature, culture and Country".

Through hands-on, STEAM-based learning, Living Classrooms inspire curiosity, wellbeing, creativity and environmental stewardship. Students learn by designing, building and caring for gardens while developing confidence, leadership, teamwork and a deeper understanding of biodiversity and sustainability.

These spaces become more than gardens. They become places where students, teachers, families, Elders, volunteers and community partners come together to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and create a sense of belonging.

GreenPrint Projects was founded following the success of Living Classroom projects at Warrnambool College in 2023, demonstrating the powerful impact nature-based learning can have on young people and communities.

"We are proud to continue partnering with schools, kindergartens, community groups and First Nations organisations across South West Victoria to grow spaces that celebrate culture, care for Country and empower the next generation" said Anthea.

Together, we are growing more than gardens. We are growing confident young people, connected communities and a more sustainable future.
Our supporters

South West Community Foundation is proud to acknowledge our sponsors and partners.

Contact us
PO Box 478
Warrnambool VIC 3280
info@southwestcommunityfoundation.org
Connect

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land we live and work on, the lands of the Gunditjmara, Giraiwurung, Guilidjan, Gadubanud and Djabwurrung. We recognise the diverse needs of our community and we ensure our services are inclusive of all children, young people and their families including those who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ and persons living with disability.

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