Opinion & Perspectives
15 June, 2026
OPINION: Helping honour those who give so much to towns
"Supporting local volunteers and community events builds a stronger, more vibrant community."
COUNCILLORS have been out and about the past few weeks visiting community groups across the shire to congratulate them on their successful Community Grant applications.
Council is providing funding for quite a variety of projects in 2026 to strengthen social connections, create inclusive environments, improve wellbeing, and build the skills and sustainability of community groups across Northern Grampians Shire.
The focus this year has been on participation, inclusion and connection.
Supporting local volunteers and community events builds a stronger, more vibrant community.
It is a wonderful program, and council is thrilled to be able to support the recipients, who provide fantastic services and opportunities for our residents.
This year’s successful recipients are: Concongella Hall, hall rejuvenation project; Arts and Culture Group Halls Gap, skills-based workshops; Navarre Primary School, new website; SPACI, wireless sound system; St Arnaud Hockey Club, new hockey goals; St Arnaud Raillery Hub, digital arts program; More than Words Collective, literacy skills program; Stawell Railway Gallery, future roadmap; Grampians United Football Club, inclusive soccer program; Stawell Secondary College, community outdoor gym; Halls Gap Kitchen Cabinet, GLOW Festival; and Banyena Hall Committee, Winter Solstice Ball.
Council had the pleasure of joining forces with Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network, Grampians Community Health and East Wimmera Health Service to celebrate the region’s volunteers.
Together, we launched My Year to Volunteer, which ran during National Volunteer Week in May and recognised our amazing local volunteers and celebrated the vital role they play in building stronger, more connected and inclusive communities.
As part of the My Year to Volunteer campaign, community members were invited to nominate outstanding volunteers and to share their stories. These stories were developed into a film and a series of story cards showcasing our local volunteer superstars.
The campaign also invited local volunteer groups and organisations to share their volunteer opportunities for inclusion. You can view these on council’s website via the link above.
The webpage provides easier access to local volunteering roles across the shire and will continue to grow and evolve over time.
There were some heartwarming stories from those who featured in the campaign and l’m sure some proud individuals, friends and families.
The wise words of a volunteer, “Don’t just live in a town, be part of it.”
Karen Hyslop is the mayor and Central Ward councillor for Northern Grampians Shire Council.
Read More: St Arnaud