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COMMUNITY NEWS
 December 2021
Welcome to the December edition of the Community News.
If you haven't already seen this newly installed public art at Newhaven by Geoffrey Bartlett, make sure you add it to your visit list over the holiday period.
In Brief

- Team Member Profile - Siona Jones - Children and Youth Development Officer
- Grants Goss
- Council's Community Directory
- Friends for Good Carers Matching Service
- Did you know PICAL are relocating?  Stay informed
- Do you know any outstanding volunteers
- Have you moved to regional or rural Victoria recently?  Participate in the survey
- Step Outside - move your way
- Public Meeting - Housing Matters!
- Government Services at Grantville
- Victorian Government offering a one off $250 payment to eligible households.  Is this you? 
- Online Workshops for Community Playgroups
- Phillip Island VIC free kids activities
- Neighbourhood House update
- Inspirational quote for the month
- Useful Links / Information
- Council Facilities Update
Team Member Profile
 
Siona Jones

Children and Youth
Development Officer
(Siona's hair doesn't usually look like this. This photo was taken on the Kilcunda Rail Trail just after the big storm event earlier this year)



 
Where do you live?
Wonthaggi

What do you love about your job?
Working with an amazing group of early years services providers to provide support, services and spaces for our littlest community members

What is your favourite book?
All time favourite is The Magic Faraway Tree

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Spending time in the garden, hanging out with family and the occasional binge watching a TV series until the early hours of the morning.
Grants Goss
Exciting News!  Council's Community Grants Program has been expanded to offer more funding opportunities

Our Community Grants Program has been expanded to include the following: 
  • the Quick Response Grants Program provides community groups with more opportunities to access funding with an easier and quicker application process, and provides funding up to $1,000 per application, no co-contribution required. 
  • The Community Grants Program will continue twice a year with grants up to $5,000 and up to three grants up to $10,000 each round to support major projects.
Applications for the Quick Response Grants are open the first day of the month, and close the last Friday of the month, July to May (or until the funding pool is fully expended).  Successful applicants will be notified within two weeks of the closing date.

Applications for the first round of the 2022 Community Grants are now open and close on Friday, 4 March 2022. Successful applicants will be notified after the May 2022 Council Meeting.

For more information, including guidelines and downloadable application forms, visit Community Grants web page or contact our Community Grants Officer on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211 or email grantenquiry@basscoast.vic.gov.au. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment please contact Council via one of the National Relay Service call numbers at www.communications.gov.au. 

Are you a fan of podcasts?  Download and listen to Grants Uncovered
Jessie Ballantyne hosts Grants Uncovered, a series of podcasts for those looking to get real with grants. Featuring fun interviews with grant seekers and funding providers across Australia, you will learn what works and what doesn’t when it comes to grants. Grants Uncovered is aimed at helping you find and win more grants.

Grant Finder
We have a free online service hosted by Grant Guru that enables individuals, businesses and community organisations to easily identify and access funding opportunities from local, state and federal government and other grant programs. It also includes a quick link to available Coronavirus funding. 

By registering on the website, you can create favourites lists, receive direct email alerts from your chosen areas of interest and keep up to date with potential funding opportunities and deadlines.

The website also offers advice and top tips for finding and applying for grants and allows you to filter your search by a specific location, industry or type of project.
Council's Community Directory
Bass Coast has a plethora of community groups, and we have a Community Directory on our website to help you find them. Are your group's details included in the directory, or do they need updating?  

If so, please forward the following details to communitysupport@basscoast.vic.gov.au and we will ensure your group's details are added to the Community Directory.
  • Name of group
  • Location
  • Phone
  • Email
  • Website (if applicable)
  • Contact details eg President's name and telephone number
  • A brief description of who your group is and what they do/offer
Friends for Good Carers Matching Service -
what is it?
Did you know PICAL are relocating?  Keep up to date with the PICAL Redevelopment Newsletter
Do you know any outstanding volunteers? Nominate them for the 2021 Volunteering Awards - open now
 
Have you moved to regional or rural Victoria recently?
As the temperature starts to warm up and the days are getting longer it’s the perfect time to step outside and take advantage of the sun, light and all the fresh air.
Go for a walk down the street, on a local trail or around your neighbourhood.  It doesn’t have to be long or to a destination, just add some movement into your day.
Don’t forget to grab a hat, pop on some sunscreen and grab a water bottle to keep hydrated and make your walk more enjoyable.  
For some inspiration check out these walks available in your local area https://www.southcoastpcp.org.au/what-we-do/step-outside-move-your-way 
Public Meeting - Housing Matters!
Government services - closer than you think!

At Bass Coast Shire Grantville office -  we can help you with Centrelink, Medicare and other government programs and services.

We’re a Services Australia Agent.

Using our computers, you can log in to your myGov account and do your business on the spot.

If you don’t have a myGov account, we’ll help you to set one up.

There are phones for you to access phone self service or speak to us.

If you’d rather use your mobile phone or tablet, we’ve got free Wi-Fi available 24/7.

You don’t need a password so you can get online straight away.

You can also use the Wi-Fi to download and install the Express Plus mobile apps.

We can help you set up your digital services if you’re not sure what to do.

You can also lodge forms, get your identity documents certified and pick up brochures.

So next time you need to do some government business, drop in and see us.

We’re open at the Grantville Transaction Centre:

When: Monday and Wednesday 10.00am-1.00pm and 1.30-3.30pm
Where: 1504-1510 Bass Hwy, Grantville
The Victorian Government is providing a one-off $250 payment to eligible households - is this applicable to you?
Online workshops for community playgroups
Kids bored? Check out the FREE activities being offered at the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre over summer
Create Sea Creatures - come and get creative and make your own sea creature out of clay to take home. 
Crazy Critters - make a crazy critter out of natural materials to take home. 
Animal Puppets - have fun creating your own puppet. You can even have your own puppet show! 
Bubbles and Butterflies - design your own beautiful butterfly and have fun making bubbles.
Make Bird Masks - learn about the local birds in the area and then make your own bird mask. What sort of bird will you be? 
Clay Imprints - design a necklace or ornament out of clay and make a special imprint on it.

Session Times  11.00am-1.00pm 
Wednesday 29 December       Create Sea Creatures
Tuesday 4 January                Crazy Critters                     
Wednesday 5 January             Animal Puppets
Tuesday 11 January                 Bubbles and Butterflies   
Wednesday 12 January           Make Bird Masks
Tuesday 18 January                Clay Imprints
Wednesday 19 January         Create Sea Creatures
Tuesday 25 January              Crazy Critters
Wednesday 26 January         Animal Puppets
 
What you need to know;
  • Activities are all free
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • You can turn up any time during the session times
  • Bookings are not required
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions we are limited as to how many people can do the activity at one time. You may need to wait to do the activity.
Phillip Island Information Centre
895 Phillip Island Road, Newhaven 3925
Phone: 1300 366 422
www.visitbasscoast.com.au
bookings@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Neighbourhood House update
What's happening at your local Neighbourhood House?  Follow the links for more information and to view current programs. And don't forget to check out Bass Coast Adult Learning located at 239 White Road, Wonthaggi tel: 5672 3115 
Inspirational quote for the month

"Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE. The word itself says I'M POSSIBLE."
Audrey Hepburn
Useful Links / Information
             Got the app?                                 Follow Council's Facebook page
Council Facilities Update
The Wonthaggi Civic Centre and Cowes Customer Service Centre are now open Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 3.00pm for any queries.

Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Facility in Wonthaggi has re-opened to the community in a restricted manner. Online bookings are essential for use of the pool, gym facilities and group fitness classes, with reduced capacity in accordance with State Government guidelines. Please visit https://wonthaggi.ymca.org.au/ for up to date operating hours and availability for use.
 
The Phillip Island Leisure Centre in Cowes has also re-opened in a reduced capacity for use of the gym and group fitness classes. Please visit https://phillipisland.ymca.org.au/ for up to date information.

Have you seen the YMCA's current promotion? Valid at Wonthaggi and Cowes
Join The Active Minutes challenge and you could win a 12-month membership!
To join The Active Minutes Challenge, all you have to do is be a member, visit us 10 times between 15 November to 13 December and contribute 600 active minutes (that’s only 10 sessions!) to be automatically entered. Just make sure you scan in at reception to register each session.

Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre is open, screening a selection of new films with something for everyone. Tickets are $15 adult, $10 children / concession. Live shows are back! Please visit our Facebook page or website for up to date event times and to subscribe to our newsletter.

The Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre in Newhaven is open 7 days per week from 10.00am – 3.00pm. If you have any queries, please contact by phone on 1300 366 422, online at  www.visitbasscoast.com.au or by emailing bookings@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

The Inverloch Visitor Information Centre is open 7 days per week from 10.00am – 3.00pm. If you have any queries, please contact by phone on 1300 762 433, online at  www.visitbasscoast.com.au or by emailng bookings@basscoast.vic.gov.au.
Look out for our next Community Newsletter in February

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We hope you have enjoyed this month's edition of Community News! If you have any information you think other Community Groups would like to know about please share with Shirley, via email shirley.egan@basscoast.vic.gov.au, so we can include in future newsletters. We are really excited to be getting out and about, and meeting you all again face to face. Take care of yourselves.

Kind regards,
The Social and Community Planning Team  
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=bass%20coast%20shire%20council
Website
Bass Coast Shire Council

Phone: 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03 5671 2211) 
National Relay Service 13 37 77 (for people with communication difficulties)  basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au | http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au

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Our mailing address is:  76 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, VIC 3995 | DX 34903 Wonthaggi | PO Box 118, Wonthaggi, VIC 3995


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