Congratulations to our 2026 Community Grant recipients
This year, we’ve awarded 81 grants of up to $10,000 to projects that connect people to improve mental wellbeing in local communities.
52%
Of grants awarded to rural and regional communities
31%
of grants awarded to disaster-impacted communities
A diverse range of community members are supported by these grant-funded projects.
14%
First Nations
12%
People with disability or care commitments
4%
LGBTQI+
24%
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)
9%
Refugees
2026 Community Grant recipients
Celebration Of African Australians1
$10,000
Heartbeat Together: Community Drumming Circles for Mental Wellbeing and Social Connection
Gungahlin
The 'Heartbeat Together' project will improve mental well-being by reducing social isolation and strengthening community connections through 10 facilitated drumming circle workshops. The project is for African Australians, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, refugees, migrants, older people and other socially isolated ACT residents.
Affirming Access
$10,000
Creative Connections: Queer and Neurodivergent Youth Arts Program
Blacktown
Affirming Access will deliver eight free creative arts workshops for LGBTQIA+SB, autistic, and neurodivergent young people aged 12-24 in Blacktown and Ultimo. They will engage 80 to 100 participants and reach approximately 200 community members in a public exhibition.
Afghan Multicultural Hub
$10,000
Kellyville Ridge Community Connection and Wellbeing Circles Program
Kellyville Ridge
The Afghan Multicultural Hub will deliver weekly 'Community Connection Circles' for 20 to 30 participants from Kellyville Ridge and surrounding suburbs. The project will support Afghan and other multicultural community members experiencing social isolation by providing a safe and welcoming environment where participants can build friendships, strengthen social connections and improve their wellbeing.
Boronia Multicultural Services
$4,000
Head • Heart • Hands: Building Connection Through Life's Transitions
Matraville
Boronia Multicultural Services will deliver a 6-week wellbeing program including mentoring and social activities for 10 to 12 local men in Matraville. Participants will build meaningful relationships, strengthen their sense of belonging and emotional wellbeing, reconnect with purpose, and develop greater confidence to participate in their community.
Bradman Foundation
$4,000
Bradman Community Story Circles: Cricket, Connection & Community
Bowral
The Bradman Foundation will host a monthly intergenerational storytelling program for 30 people designed to reduce social isolation and strengthen mental wellbeing among young people and older adults in the Southern Highlands. Delivered in partnership with Community Links Bowral, the Highlands District Cricket Association and the Southern Highlands Community Foundation, participants will be engaged through local schools, cricket clubs, youth organisations and senior groups.
BREED Australia
$10,000
Connected Futures - Building belonging for young people
Quakers Hill
‘Connected Futures’ will support 40 young people aged 12–18 in Western Sydney who experience social isolation, reduced community participation or difficulty building social connections. Through 12 monthly community connection events, participants will engage in creative activities, storytelling, collaborative projects, shared meals and community-building experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.
Camden Haven Culture Aboriginal Corporation1
$10,000
Strong Spirits, Strong Connections: Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Circles
Laurieton
The 'Strong Spirits, Strong Connections' project will support the community in the Camden Haven area through 10 to 12 culturally safe wellbeing circles, yarning, storytelling, art, shared meals and cConnection-to-Country activities. The communities have experienced repeated impacts from severe weather, flooding and storm events, including Mid North Coast flood events.
Cobargo Wellness Group1
$10,000
Ginger's Brave and Kind Club: Growing Together Through Courage, Kindness and Connection
Cobargo
‘Ginger's Brave and Kind Club’ will support children aged 3-7, and their parents or caregivers to build stronger connections, improve emotional wellbeing and reduce social isolation in Cobargo. Through 10 weekly facilitated sessions, 15 to 20 families will connect with one another, and both children and adults will learn practical emotional resilience and self-regulation skills through stories, music, movement and creative play.
Communities in Fellowship Together
$10,000
Belonging Together: Migrant Women's Wellbeing Project
Rooty Hill
Communities in Fellowship Together will support 50 to 60 migrant women in Western Sydney through a culturally responsive mental wellbeing program designed for women experiencing social isolation, settlement stress, language barriers and limited support networks. Through six wellbeing circles and six storytelling, peer support and mindfulness sessions, participants will build social connections, develop practical coping strategies and gain confidence discussing mental health in a safe and trusted environment.
Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services
$10,000
Barayi Garden: Reviving Community Connection Culture and Wellbeing on Country
Mardi
‘Barayi Garden' is a community gardening program on Darkinjung Country, bringing Aboriginal and local community members together for regular hands-on gardening sessions. Participants will share horticultural knowledge, care for animals, explore native and culturally significant plants, as well as yarn together in a culturally safe space.
Gosford Regional Community Services
$10,000
'Connect and Thrive’
Wyoming
’Connect and Thrive’ is a 14-week community-based mental wellbeing program designed for 15 to 20 adults experiencing stress, social isolation, or reduced community connection in Wyoming, Gosford. People accessing Wyoming Community Centre increasingly say they report experiencing loneliness financial pressure, caring responsibilities and reduced opportunities to connect with others.
Gundaroo Community Association1
$4,000
Moving Forward with Social Connection, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Resilience in Gundaroo
Gundaroo
Gundaroo Community Association will run a range of skills workshops and coffee meet-ups, creating opportunities for residents to connect, build relationships and become more involved in community life. Through these activities, the project will foster stronger social networks, greater inclusion and a more resilient community. As part of the project, key people from six local community groups will undertake Mental Health First Aid training to equip them with the skills and confidence to support local residents and identify people who may need assistance.
Howes Valley Community Association1
$4,000
Connected in Howes Valley
Howes Valley
The Howes Valley Community Association will deliver a year-long community wellbeing program including 10 Cuppa and Chat mornings, 12 community dinners and four workshops that creates regular opportunities for people to connect, build friendships and reduce social isolation. Howes Valley is a rural and remote community of approximately 80 residents and 100 part time, with limited opportunities for regular social connection.
Mates From Himalayas
$10,000
Hamro Chautari (Our Meeting Place)
Parramatta
‘Hamro Chautari’ ("Our Meeting Place")' is a monthly community gathering for the CALD community across Parramatta and neighbouring suburbs, modelled on the traditional Nepali chautari, a trusted communal resting place. Each month up to 50 people will share a meal, join a facilitated conversation circle, take part in a cultural activity and access a discreet pathway to mental health support.
Muslim Community Radio
$10,000
The Sisterhood Circle
Chester Hill
‘The Sisterhood Circle' will support the mental wellbeing of 20 to 25 CALD young women in Western Sydney through six creative wellbeing workshops that foster connection, confidence, and belonging. Delivered by 2MFM in partnership with the Australian Muslim Youth League, the program combines gardening, knitting and crocheting, candle making, healthy cooking, female-led fitness, and storytelling to encourage mindfulness, self-care, resilience, and peer connection.
Outloud
$10,000
Our Sanctuaries: creative wellbeing workshops for multicultural, faith-based young people
Bankstown
‘Our Sanctuaries' aims to engage 120 participants through four art workshops to connect socially isolated LGBTQIA+ young people from multicultural and faith-based communities in Western Sydney. These spaces offer safer, more accessible opportunities for connection without requiring participants to suppress aspects of their cultural, spiritual and LGBTQIA+ identities.
Oyster Tribe Aboriginal Corporation
$5,000
Soulful Steps: Connecting Community and Wellbeing
Dubbo
‘Soulful Steps’ is an Indigenous community-led project by Oyster Tribe, supporting at-risk individuals and individuals recently released from the justice system to reconnect with community and improve mental wellbeing in Dubbo. Through two gatherings that will include Elder-led mentoring, traditional yarning circles, mindfulness activities and creative arts sessions, participants will engage in culturally safe, non-clinical opportunities for connection and, reflection.
People First (Australia)1
$10,000
Hope Around the Table
Broken Hill
The 'Hope Around the Table' project will strengthen mental wellbeing by creating welcoming spaces where more than 250 participants experiencing hardship can connect through 12 shared meals and conversation. Delivered through the Hope Centre, the project will expand community meal gatherings into opportunities for friendship, peer support and connection with local services.
Rainbow Crossing
$9,600
Youth Amplified: Voices for Wellbeing
Campbelltown
Rainbow Crossing will empower 30 young people aged 15–24 across the Macarthur region through a peer-led storytelling and podcasting program designed to strengthen mental wellbeing, confidence and social connection. Through eight interactive workshops, participants will explore topics including belonging, resilience, healthy relationships, identity and leadership while developing communication, storytelling and podcast production skills.
Rainbow Roos AU
$10,000
Growing Together: Building Connection Through Play
Lismore
‘Growing Together' will support more than 250 children and families across Northern Rivers to build meaningful social connections, improve wellbeing and strengthen their sense of belonging. They will deliver 40 inclusive community sessions and eight family connection activities that bring people together through play.
Rotary Club of Paterson1
$9,800
The Famous Paterson River Orange Project
Paterson
‘The 'Famous Paterson River Orange' is a community arts and heritage project that aims to improve mental health and wellbeing by bringing people together through creativity, storytelling and shared local history. More than 60 participants of all ages will take part in six sketching workshops, contribute family stories, photographs and memories, and help create a community exhibition celebrating Paterson's unique orange-growing heritage.
Seed Northern Rivers1
$10,000
Healing Hub - Mullumbimby: Addressing Mental Health Challenges Post Disasters, Building Capacity for the Future
Mullumbimby
Seed Northern Rivers is developing a First Nations and community-led disaster recovery model that will be available to communities across Australia. The project includes over 30 culturally appropriate, trauma-informed workshops to train facilitators in disaster response, a Community Activation Kit and support for the Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub.
Shellharbour City Seniors AFL Club
$8,000
More than a game: Mens Mental Health Workshops
Shellharbour
‘More Than a Game' will deliver two free mental health workshops for more than 100 men through Shellharbour's community football club, creating a safe, familiar environment where participants can connect, learn and seek support. Facilitated by qualified mental health professionals, the workshops will focus on mental wellbeing, resilience, recognising signs of mental ill-health, and accessing local support services.
South Eastern Community Connect
$10,000
Coffee, Connection & Community
Mascot
The 'Coffee, Connection & Community' project will deliver 40 facilitated gatherings, community lunches, and wellbeing workshops for vulnerable community members in Sydney's Inner East. Targeting individuals experiencing social isolation, financial hardship, disability and/or caring responsibilities, the project aims to strengthen social connections and community belonging.
Spirited Foundation
$9,920
Waves of Wellbeing: Youth Surf Therapy Program
Terrigal
Spirited Foundation will partner with headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong to provide 'Waves of Wellbeing', a youth surf therapy program supporting young people impacted by family and domestic violence on the NSW Central Coast. Through four, two-day surf programs, 24 young people will participate in surfing, paddling and nature-based wellbeing activities that build confidence, resilience, emotional regulation and positive coping strategies.
Talk Your Walk Foundation
$10,000
Talk Your Walk: Building Youth Connection for Better Mental Wellbeing
Penrith
‘Talk Your Walk' is an eight- week community-led, locally delivered youth wellbeing program designed to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for 40 to 60 young people in Penrith and neighbouring suburbs. Through structured movement, guided conversations, and mentoring, the program creates safe spaces for young people to build meaningful connections, strengthen emotional resilience, and feel more supported within their community.
Uniting Circle Multicultural Community Centre
$7,419.80
The Lantern Project
Penrith
Uniting Circle Multicultural Community Centre will support 40 refugee, migrant and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children in Western Sydney across three months through a creative wellbeing program including art, music and lantern making activities designed to help children who may be experiencing isolation and challenges adjusting to new communities.
Wilsons Creek, Huonbrook & Wanganui Community Association1
$10,000
MURMURATION: Community Gatherings
Wilsons Creek
The 'MURMURATION: Community Gatherings' project brings residents of the Wilsons Creek, Huonbrook and Wanganui valleys together through four seasonal, place-based creative gatherings, performances and installations that strengthen social connection, belonging and community resilience. Co-created by local residents, artists, Traditional Custodians and community organisations, participants will share local stories, ecological knowledge and creative practice while celebrating the unique identity of their community.
1717 Incorporated1
$10,000
1717 Coffee Connections
Katherine
The '1717 Coffee Connections' project will provide 12 welcoming, locally hosted coffee get-togethers and four information sharing sessions with local support services for flood impacted residents in Katherine and Darwin River. The project will create safe, informal opportunities for people to reconnect, reduce isolation and strengthen mental health and wellbeing during recovery.
The Hub of Respect
$10,000
Making A Difference (MAD) Youth Program
Alice Springs
The MAD Youth Program will support 15 to 20 young people aged 10-17 in Alice Springs, with a focus on Aboriginal youth experiencing disconnection, stress, disengagement, or limited access to safe support networks. Delivered over eight weeks, the program will provide twice-weekly movement, mentoring, and reflection sessions designed to strengthen confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, and positive peer relationships.
UMNT Incorporated1
$10,000
Hidden Jewels: UMNT Youth Connections & Wellbeing Program
Darwin
The 'Hidden Jewels: Youth Connections & Wellbeing Program' project will improve the mental health and wellbeing of 40 to 50 culturally and linguistically diverse young people aged 12–25 in Darwin through meaningful social connection, peer support and leadership development. The project will deliver six youth wellbeing sessions, 10 peer connection circles, four leadership workshops and two community events in a culturally safe environment.
Bori Muy
$10,000
Better Me
Manoora
Bori Muy will deliver a culturally safe Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing program designed to strengthen mental health through connection to culture, community, and identity. The project will deliver six workshops and eight program sessions incorporating BoxFit for Wellbeing, on-Country cultural activities and yarning circles.
Dragon Boat Pumicestone
$10,000
No One Paddles Alone
Bribie Island
‘No One Paddles Alone' is a locally delivered dragon boating wellbeing project in Pumicestone designed to improve mental health through connection, movement, teamwork and belonging. The project will offer six to eight supported paddling sessions for 50 to 60 participants, with a particular focus on people experiencing social isolation, reduced community connection or wellbeing challenges.
First Nations Women's Gathering
$10,000
Strong Minds, Strong Spirits: Supporting First Nations Women wellbeing
Cairns
‘Strong Minds, Strong Spirits' aims to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations women through culturally safe, healing-focused activities in Cairns. The initiative is designed for First Nations women seeking connection, support, and greater awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
Fossung Multicultural and Education Services
$10,000
Belonging Around the Table
Ripley
‘Belonging Around the Table' is an eight-month community connection program for CALD individuals and families in Ipswich experiencing social isolation or limited opportunities for community participation. Ipswich is one of Queensland's fastest growing and increasingly diverse communities, with its population projected to almost double by 2041 and around one in five households speaking a language other than English at home.
Fulfilling Dreams
$10,000
Take it to the Streets – Redcliffe Community Connections for Mental Wellbeing
Redcliffe
Fulfilling Dreams will bring young people and families together through 'Take it to the Streets – Redcliffe Community Connections for Mental Wellbeing', a free community wellbeing program that includes inclusive recreation, mentoring and guided community conversations that will support more than 160 participants who may be experiencing loneliness, social isolation or barriers to community participation. Participants will be engaged through local schools, community networks and partner organisations, with a focus on young people.
Hispanic Club of FNQ
$10,000
Dancing Together: Reducing Social Isolation Through Partner Dance in Mareeba
Mareeba
Hispanic Club of FNQ will create opportunities for connection through 'Dancing Together: Reducing Social Isolation Through Partner Dance in Mareeba', a free community connection program designed for more than 240 people experiencing loneliness, social isolation or limited opportunities to connect outside their existing social networks. Responding to community demand for regular, welcoming activities that help newly arrived migrants, older residents and other community members build.
Maburra Collective1
$10,000
Olive's Garden: Growing Connection, Healing and Well-being
Townsville
‘Olive's Garden: Growing Connection, Healing and Wellbeing' is a Townsville community-led initiative that brings Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, Elders and community members together through 12 sessions including gardening, cultural learning, yarning circles and creative wellbeing activities. Townsville has experienced repeated flooding events, severe weather and cyclone impacts in recent years, with many community members continuing to experience financial and, housing hardship.
Maryborough City Progress Association
$4,925
Mental Health Week Community Movie Night
Maryborough
Maryborough City Progress Association will deliver a free outdoor screening of the movie Inside Out 2, designed to strengthen connection across the Fraser Coast community. Held during Mental Health Week, the event will bring together 200 to 400 community members, including young people, families, seniors and other vulnerable community members, in a welcoming, stigma-free environment that encourages social interaction.
Matu Community of Queensland
$9,500
MCQ Youth Connection and Wellbeing Program
Logan Central
Matu Community of Queensland will support multicultural, migrant and refugee-background young people in Logan, helping participants feel less isolated, more connected and more confident. The funded program will provide 20 to 24 youth connection and wellbeing sessions featuring shared meals, wellbeing conversations, peer mentoring, youth-led activities and referral support, creating a safe and culturally welcoming space.
Merciful Servants1
$4,000
Unity Garden with Merciful Servants: Growing Connection Through Nature
Crestmead
The 'Unity Garden with Merciful Servants' project is a community-led wellbeing program that brings more than 150 people together through gardening, six biodiversity workshops and shared experiences in nature. The project will engage families, seniors, young people and volunteers in weekly gardening activities, sustainability workshops, pollinator habitat creation and community harvest events.
Multicultural Mailer
$3,800
Multicultural Mental Health & Community Resilience Workshop 2026
Regents Park
Multicultural Mailer will support Logan’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities by providing culturally safe mental health education, trauma informed strategies, and connections to local support services. Through expert presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, 100-120 participants will develop practical skills to manage stress, anxiety, and trauma while strengthening family and community resilience.
Older Women's Network (Qld)
$4,000
Generations Together: Connecting Generations, Strengthening Communities
Mitchelton
‘Generations Together’ is an intergenerational connection project bringing together 40 older women and 15 younger female participants from The Hills District, through seven facilitated three-hour group sessions and an artwork launch. Participants will build relationships through storytelling, skills sharing, discussions about resilience and wellbeing, and co-creation of a Community Connections Artwork.
Veterans Grappling Foundation
$10,000
The Groundwork Project - Find Your Tribe: Veterans Grappling Connection Program
Molendinar
‘The Groundwork Project: Find Your Tribe' project supports veterans, first responders and their families to improve mental wellbeing through meaningful community connection. Participants will take part in more than 48 sessions including peer-led judo, social gatherings and wellbeing activities as well as 10 community events that foster belonging, build resilience and reduce social isolation.
You Belong
$10,000
Cook 2 Connect
Toowoomba
‘Cook 2 Connect’ is a Toowoomba-based social inclusion program that uses food as a culturally meaningful way to foster belonging, wellbeing, and community connection among refugee women. Designed and coordinated by a Syrian refugee with lived experience of settlement challenges, the program will support 15 to 20 participants through culturally safe cooking sessions that build skills in preparing diverse foods while creating opportunities.
Adelaide Spectres Basketball Club
$4,000
Adelaide Spectres Train & Play
Wayville
The Adelaide Spectres Basketball Club will deliver a free, structured 30-week ‘Train & Play’ program for 50-60 LGBTIQA+ adults across Wayville and neighbouring suburbs. Cost, unfamiliarity and fear of judgement keep many LGBTIQA+ people out of mainstream community sport, and this program is designed to remove every one of those barriers so that walking through the door feels possible.
Handspinners and Weavers Guild of SA
$4,000
Crafting Connections: Creating community through craft
Mile End
The Handspinners and Weavers Guild of SA will deliver a fortnightly, six-month free workshop program for adults experiencing loneliness and social isolation — including people new to the area, migrants, and those living alone. 12 Saturday sessions will pair a qualified art therapy facilitator with the guild's skilled volunteers to teach handspinning and weaving in a supportive group setting.
Mallee Wren Community House1
$4,000
Family and Community Connect Café and Active Catch-Ups
Parrakie
The ‘Family and Community Connect Café and Active Catch-Ups’ will provide a monthly, informal drop-in space at the Parrakie Community Grounds where people of all ages can connect, relax and enjoy time together. The project will reduce social isolation by creating regular opportunities for conversation, shared refreshments, and light recreational activities such as games and outdoor equipment.
Our Town Kimba
$10,000
Recipe for Life: Cooking Up Connections
Kimba
‘Recipe for Life: Cooking Up Connections' is a community-led wellbeing program of 35 to 40 cooking sessions delivered from the community kitchen at the Our Town Shed. It brings together young people and community members (more than 280 participants) to build practical cooking, meal planning, budgeting and food safety skills while preparing nutritious meals for people experiencing social isolation or life challenges.
Port Germein Men's Shed Association
$7,992
The Gathering Place Building Connections. Strengthening Wellbeing.
Port Germein
‘The Gathering Place’ is a community-led mental wellbeing project delivered by the Port Germein Men's Shed for more than 150 community members. The project will create regular opportunities for people to connect through practical workshops, shared meals, community projects, guest speakers and social activities in a welcoming environment.
Bucaan Community House
$10,000
Mental Health Arts Program
Chigwell
Bucaan Community House will deliver the 'Mental Health Arts Program', a series of 10 art workshops designed to build confidence, strengthen social connection, and improve mental health outcomes for adults experiencing disadvantage in the Glenorchy community. Each workshop will combine creative activities with a shared community meal to support food security, reduce isolation, and create opportunities for meaningful connection.
Eastcoast Regional Development Organisation
$8,330
Co-creating Positive Futures
Triabunna
Eastcoast Regional Development Organisation will deliver a series of 24 workshops in creative arts, gardening and digital literacy led by a highly skilled team of facilitators for 10 to 15 people. This project would connect the participants to the Ccentre, to other supportive community members and give the participants the skills towards creating positive outcomes in their personal lives.
Jordan River Service
$10,000
Connected Communities, Stronger Wellbeing
Gagebrook
Jordan River Service. will deliver a community mental health and wellbeing program across Bridgewater, Gagebrook and Herdsman Cove, providing Mental Health First Aid training for four people as well as eight supervised gym sessions and eight healthy cooking workshops for 10 to 25 participants.
Rotary Club of Legana
$6,200
The Clint Ewington Walk - Walk and Talk: Men's Mental Health Walk 2027
Legana
The Rotary Club of Legana will bring the community together through a community-led 10km walk supporting men and community members in Northern Tasmania who may be experiencing social isolation, poor mental wellbeing or reluctance to seek help. The walk will be followed by a lunch where locals can engage with mental health organisations.
The Tasmanian Arboretum
$10,000
Coming Home to Our Senses: Community Nature Connection for Mental Wellbeing
Devonport
‘Coming Home to Our Senses’ will bring local community members together at the Tasmanian Arboretum near Devonport, to strengthen their mental wellbeing through nature connection group activities, mindfulness and shared experience. Groups of 10 to 15 participants will meet fortnightly for facilitated half-day sessions combining guided sensory walks, mindfulness practice, creative reflection, storytelling and shared meals.
Afri-Aus Care
$4,000
UBUNTU Growing Together: Building Familial Connection and Improving Mental Wellbeing
Springvale South
Afri-Aus Care (AAC) will run a focused six-month season of fortnightly intergenerational gardening and cooking sessions for a core group of 10 older women and 10 young people in Springvale South. AAC expects these older women and young people to feel meaningfully less isolated and more connected across generations.
Australian Multicultural Community Centrer Foundation
$10,000
Multicultural Women’s Cooking, Connection and Community Wellbeing Program
Broadmeadows
The Australian Multicultural Community Centrer Foundation will deliver more than 40 community cooking sessions for multicultural women in Hume, one of Australia’s most culturally diverse regions, where residents speak more than 130 languages. The program will strengthen social connection, improve wellbeing, and build practical life skills through hands-on cooking activities focused on preparing affordable, nutritious meals.
Celebrate Diversity
$10,000
Wellbeing Circles: Mental Health Program for Multicultural Seniors
Tarneit
Celebrate Diversity will deliver a year-long program designed to reduce loneliness, strengthen belonging, improve self-reported mental wellbeing, foster lasting friendships, and equip seniors with practical wellbeing skills for everyday life. The program will deliver 10 multilingual wellbeing workshops for socially isolated culturally and linguistically diverse seniors in Tarneit, Truganina and Point Cook.
Fat Farmers
$10,000
Rural Connection, Wellbeing and Community Resilience Program
Mansfield
Fat Farmers will support the recovery and long-term wellbeing of communities most affected by the January 2026 Longwood blaze by helping volunteer firefighters, farmers and rural residents to connect, rebuild resilience, and access support before issues become crises. Building on the successful Fat Farmers group fitness model, the program will deliver 12 workouts and wellbeing outreach activities across four CFA stations and three regional livestock sale yards.
Fawkner Neighbourhood House
$10,000
Growing Connections
Fawkner
Fawkner Neighbourhood House in collaboration with Yooralla (disability support organisation) and a local Horticultural Therapist, will design and run a series of more than 15 workshops to improve mental health outcomes for disabled and non-disabled residents of Fawkner. The outcomes include seeing increased community participation for people with disabilities and increased social connections for attendees resulting in improved mood and mental wellbeing for all.
Jika Jika Community Centre
$10,000
Welcome to Walker Street
Northcote
The 'Welcome to Walker Street' project is a place‑based community project supporting residents of a newly redeveloped social housing estate to connect, build relationships and improve mental wellbeing in Merri-bek. Delivered onsite, the project will offer 40 to 50 low‑barrier activities such as shared meals, informal gatherings and skills‑based sessions that encourage participation and interaction.
Joy of the Earth Community Garden
$10,000
Growing Connections, Growing Wellbeing
Frankston
‘Growing Connections, Growing Wellbeing' is a Frankston-based, community-led gardening program supporting 30 participants through 20 gardening sessions and six wellbeing workshops. The program aims to improve mental wellbeing while strengthening community connections, with a focus on people experiencing chronic illness, or disability, or who are retired.
Katu Katu
$10,000
Growing Connections: Nature, Culture and Community Wellbeing Program
McMahons Creek
‘Growing Connections' will deliver a series of monthly community workshops that bring women and people from refugee and multicultural backgrounds together who are experiencing social isolation and housing insecurity. Participants will connect through shared gardening, bush food growing, native plant propagation, cultural storytelling, tea blending and community meals.
Lavers Hill and district progress committee1
$10,000
Full Circle Lavers Hill
Lavers Hill
Lavers Hill Connected will address social isolation and poor mental health among older residents of Lavers Hill, a remote Otway Ranges community of approximately 100 people, 50km from the nearest health services. The project will deliver 12 monthly community connection gatherings, three telehealth navigation workshops, and a structured peer buddy network.
Linking the Next Step
$10,000
Insightful HUB Wellbeing and Connection series
Footscray
Linking the Next Step will run four workshops in Footscray and neighbouring suburbs for 60 autistic participants on self-expression, friendships, everyday independence and avoiding burnout, alongside peer mentors who check in and stick around after the workshop ends.
Noble Park Community Centre
$10,000
Create. Connect. Belong. Youth-led Connections for Better Mental Health
Noble Park
A youth-led mental wellbeing initiative designed by the Noble Park Community Centre Youth Sub-Committee to reduce social isolation and strengthen mental wellbeing for more than 250 young people aged 16–25. Young people reported to the Sub-Committee they wanted a place where they could connect through shared interests such as music, art, gaming and social sports rather than formal support services.
Nourish Nations Foundation1
$4,000
Thrive Together: Mental Wellbeing for New Migrant Communities of Dandenong and surrounding suburbs
Dandenong
Nourish Nations Foundation will deliver three workshops (storytelling, healing and mindfulness) for multicultural and newly arrived migrant communities in the south-east of Melbourne. The area has been affected by severe storm events, including heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and damaging winds. Many multicultural and newly arrived families faced additional challenges due to limited access to information, language barriers, and reduced social support.
SouthPort Community Centre
$9,950
Comedy on Prescription
South Melbourne
‘Comedy on Prescription' will deliver 24 weekly comedy workshops as a health and wellbeing tool for 15 people with mental health issues for people living in the City of Port Phillip. Workshops delivered in comedy writing and performance skills lead to a public performance for the general community. By reframing mental health challenges through comedy, this program will improve isolation, performance skills, confidence to connect with peers and the general community.
Tablelands Community Centre1
$9,502
Workshops to support community recovery
Ruffy
The Tablelands Community Centre will run resilience workshops and events (monthly community BBQs and gardening) for more than 100 participants in response to the 2026 January bushfires which caused significant damage and emotional strain across the Tablelands. Many residents report ongoing stress, fatigue, disrupted routines, and difficulty maintaining motivation during long term recovery.
Ubuntu Project
$10,000
Strong Women, Strong Communities
Flemington
Ubuntu Project will support African Australian women and girls living in public housing across Melbourne through a culturally responsive wellbeing program designed to strengthen social connection and improve mental health and wellbeing. Through 15 community wellbeing and connection sessions, participants will take part in facilitated wellbeing workshops combined with exercise, mindfulness and peer support activities.
Wycheproof Community Resource Centre
$5,828
The Library of Lost Skills - Workshops for Community Wellbeing and Connection
Wycheproof
‘The Library of Lost Skills’ will engage 60 community members in three facilitated workshops that celebrate traditional skills while fostering social connection, community participation, and positive mental health outcomes. Delivered by the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre, the project will provide hands-on learning opportunities for people experiencing social and economic disadvantage associated with regional living.
Wye River Separation Creek Community Association1
$10,000
From Fire and Flood – Wye River and Separation Creek Community Reconnection Project
Wye River
The Wye River community will run a six‐month program of inclusive, engaging activities (yoga, dancing, community lunches) and three disaster resilience workshops for more than 100 community members in response to the loss of its central General Store, once a vital social hub. Following repeated disasters, these events have shaken people’s sense of safety, increased stress and highlighting the urgent need to rebuild trust, strengthen resilience, and reconnect the community.
Youth YOU Foundation
$10,000
Youth YOU Community Connection Program
Hallam
The 'Youth YOU Community Connection Program' is a free 12- week community based wellbeing program for 20 young people aged 16–28 experiencing social isolation, stress or mental health challenges in Melbourne's south- east. Participants will build meaningful connections through weekly peer mentoring, wellbeing workshops, group fitness, boxing and community activities.
Boddington Community Resource Centre1
$10,000
Rhythms of Connection
Boddington
The 'Rhythms of Connection' project is a community wellbeing initiative for people of all ages in Boddington, particularly those experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Through 10 facilitated community drumming circles, more than 30 participants will come together in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Boddington was significantly impacted by a major bushfire over the Christmas and New Year period, resulting in a declared emergency and the evacuation of the town, and the effects on community wellbeing, stress and social connection continue.
Divers for Climate1
$10,000
Building community connections to strengthen mental wellbeing in Exmouth's dive community
Exmouth
Divers for Climate will deliver five locally led workshops for Exmouth's dive and marine communities combining facilitated peer discussions, practical wellbeing strategies, climate resilience planning and networking activities that help participants connect with others in the region that are experiencing the negative impacts of climate change. Exmouth was impacted by Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which was declared a natural disaster in March 2026.
Healing Legacy Indigenous Corporation1
$10,000
Food & Yarn at Timber Park – Community Nourishment & Connection Pilot
Manjimup
The Healing Legacy Indigenous Corporation will deliver a six-month community wellbeing program in Manjimup through 13 fortnightly Food & Yarn gatherings. The project will provide a welcoming space where community members can share a meal, strengthen social relationships and reduce isolation.
Intown Centre
$10,000
Community Connections: Building Belonging Together
Bunbury
Community Connections' is a six- session, locally led program for 25 people experiencing loneliness, social isolation, financial hardship or homelessness who access Intown Centre in Bunbury. The program will be delivered through local partnerships such as Volunteer South West, Anglicare WA and the South West Aboriginal Women's Collective, drawing on local knowledge, trusted relationships and community expertise.
Kununurra Community Garden Kitchen
$10,000
Our Two Ways
Kununurra
‘Our Two Ways' is an Aboriginal‑focused, co‑designed holistic wellbeing program for Aboriginal men and women aged 18–30 in Kununurra. Through on Country bush tucker activities and a bush tucker test kitchen during the hot/wet season, therapeutic gardening, and functional fitness sessions (including boxing) with Kununurra Warriors Boxing Club, participants will connect, move and grow together.
Rotary Club of Rockingham
$5,690
Mind the Walk
Rockingham
‘Mind the Walk' is a free, family-friendly 2 km mental health awareness one- day event for more than 200 people of all ages in the Rockingham community. Participants will take part in a guided historical and cultural walk, scavenger hunt, yoga, bootcamp, games, animal encounters, wellbeing activities, local service displays and hear from guest speakers including local health services.
Trillion Trees Australia
$9,290
Lunch and Learn Series to Boost Connection
Hazelmere
Trillion Trees Australia will host the 'Lunch and Learn Series to Boost Connection', supporting older volunteers, people living with disability and others at risk of social isolation in the Hazelmere and Midland communities. Through 10 monthly community lunches, participants will come together to share meals, hear from local experts in nature conservation and ecological restoration, and build meaningful social connections.
Woodridge Equestrian Centre1
$8,000
Woodridge Wellbeing
Woodridge
Many people in the Woodridge region face barriers to support due to their rural location and the lasting impacts of bushfires, which can contribute to stress, isolation and poorer mental health outcomes. The Woodridge Equestrian Centre will deliver 12 equine-assisted wellbeing sessions for 20 to 30 participants, helping people build social connections, resilience and wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions
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How our Community Grants program is helping communities just like yours
Read transcript
Visual: Exterior and front entrance of She Shed Cairns building.
Audio: My name's Noelle Halpin, and I'm the She Shed Cairns president.
Visual: Women gather in the shed, talking warmly and moving into shared workspaces.
Audio: We have created a welcoming space for women to come together.
Visual: Interview with Noelle Halpin in the workshop, with tools and timber visible.
Audio: We're a member-based organisation. We're here for community, connection and creation really — so they are our three things.
Visual: Women participating in the workshop.
Audio: It's ladies only, obviously.
Visual: Close-ups of workshop supplies and materials laid out for participants.
Audio: We were very happy to receive the community grant. That grant enabled us to purchase supplies, materials, tools and equipment.
Visual: Facilitator guiding participants through woodworking tasks at benches.
Audio: As well as a facilitator, to be able to run this Woodworking For Life program.
Visual: Interview with Kylie Burke in or near the workshop environment.
Audio: My name is Kylie Burke. With the Australia Post grant, it allowed me to write a five week program to scaffold a series of skills and tools.
Visual: Footage of women learning practical making skills.
Audio: What's really important for this type of program is empowering women with skills and tools.
Visual: Women confidently using drills and hand tools with supervision.
Audio: Allowing them to pick up the pieces after things like natural disasters.
Visual: Tropical Cairns context and workshop imagery.
Audio: We're in a cyclone-prone climate — we're used to that. People have cyclone kits, but those practical repair skills aren’t always accessible.
Visual: Demonstration footage of a drill and timber being positioned for repairs.
Audio: Even knowing how to use a drill to secure plywood over a broken window — something as simple as that.
Visual: Busy workshop with women working independently and together.
Audio: This woodworking program proved very popular. Many women may not have someone at home to help with these kinds of tasks — and that's what we've found is the number one need.
Visual: Return to Noelle Halpin speaking to camera.
Audio: It's about getting out of the house, forming connections and being part of a community.
Visual: Participants proudly working on wooden items.
Audio: Creating something you can be proud of — but really, it's about being part of a community.
Connecting women and building resilience
She Shed Cairns is a volunteer-led not-for-profit creating a safe, inclusive space where women connect, build skills and support wellbeing. Supported by a $10,000 Australia Post Community Grant, the ‘Woodwork Skills for Life’ project delivers hands-on workshops to build confidence, resilience and community connection while helping women recover from disaster impacts.
Read transcript
Visual: Interview with Jo, community engagement manager, with Garden Village setting.
Audio: Hi, my name's Jo. I'm the community engagement manager at Garden Village. Garden Village is a retirement living and aged care home in Port Macquarie on the beautiful mid-north coast. We support over 400 residents to age well at every stage of ageing, with a strong focus on resident wellbeing.
Visual: Seniors and students interacting together.
Audio: We saw an opportunity to bring this program to life by including a local school, inviting 10 students to join us for the Virtual Voyagers eight-week program.
Visual: Participants using VR headsets and engaging in paired activities.
Audio: Each week, seniors and students take part in a virtual reality experience, followed by a real-life activity to match.
Visual: Speaker is Casey Baldwin, FOunder and CEO of Intergenconnect. Group participating in a VR kayaking experience.
Audio: Today, we’re travelling to the Gorge de Tarn in France — we’re actually going kayaking.
Visual: Seniors and students interacting, laughing and working together.
Audio: These shared experiences are important because we’re doing things for the first time together.
Visual: Speaker is Jo, community engagement manager, with Garden Village. Wide shots showing age diversity in the group.
Audio: The oldest participant was born in the 1930s and the youngest in 2012.
Audio (continued): Programs like this create valuable opportunities for generations to connect.
Visual: Seniors smiling and engaging with students, joining in activities together.
Audio: Seniors say they look forward to the program each week, and students say it’s a place where they can be themselves and love visiting Garden Village.
Visual: Quiet moments contrasted with lively group sessions.
Audio: Many seniors don’t have close family nearby, or their families live in different parts of the country or world.
Visual: Close-up of a senior participant Karen Newell speaking.
Audio: I don’t have any family, and it’s so wonderful when they come — they bring such joy to us seniors.
Visual: Close-up for student participant Milla B speaking. Students participating confidently in activities.
Audio: I really love this program. It’s been really beneficial for me, especially my confidence. I feel more confident around my friends.
Visual: Speaker is Jo, community engagement manager, with Garden Village. Program activities in action.
Audio: Receiving the Australia Post grant was a very positive outcome for our community.
Visual: Seniors and students engaging in conversations and activities.
Audio: Students build communication skills and connect with seniors, while seniors get to share their life experiences.
Visual: Jo speaking to camera to conclude interview.
Audio: The program meets a real need by reducing social isolation and improving wellbeing.
Connecting generations through virtual reality experiences
Garden Village delivered Virtual Voyagers, bringing older residents and local students together through shared virtual reality experiences that sparked genuine connection. With support from an Australia Post Community Grant, the program helped reduce isolation and nurture wellbeing across generations.
Read transcript
Visuals: Drone footage flies above a two-storey warehouse building on a main road in Adelaide CBD. The camera cuts to two artists walking around the corner into the building. One is a man in overalls and a yellow and black check shirt, with a woman with dark hair wearing a bright floral jumper.
Script: The Mill is a multi arts hub based in Adelaide CBD. We support artists to thrive.
Visuals: The woman in the floral jumper is sitting at a desk in front of a computer screen speaking to camera. A title card appears with the name Katrina Lazaroff – CEO/ Artistic Director at The Mill Adelaide.
Script: We support artist to thrive. The idea is to give artists platforms to present their work in our galleries or in our performing arts space, to provide studios for artists to practice and small creative businesses to base here. So it’s a real thriving hub.
Visuals: The camera then cuts to 3 individuals who are talking and laughing in a room full of hats. One is wearing a hat and steaming another hat with an iron.
Script: The Art of Connection is a program we have developed in response to a lot of different artists really seeking further connection and between each other as artists in our arts centre.
Visuals: The camera then shows shelves of colourful paint in containers, then cuts to two people sitting on the floor with a large dot painting in front of them. There is a First Nations woman laughing and explaining her painting, with a man sitting next to her listening and smiling.
Script:And the idea is to both celebrate who they are as artists, but also address some issues around feeling alone and unsure about futures. The project is really helping to connect people in our community, especially through the spotlight artist talks.
Visuals:The picture then changes to an older woman with a grey bun, sitting in front of a group of artists gesturing to photographs on a digital screen. The camera then cuts back to Katrina Lazaroff giving an interview about the program.
Script: When another artist is sharing their life and their life’s journey, through, you know, these talks and other artists are experiencing that sitting in a group together and they’re going, ‘wow, look at this person’s history and the challenges and struggles they’ve had, but also the wins they’ve had’.
Visuals: Small groups of artists stand in a gallery chatting and watching the spotlight artist talk.
Script: It’s actually brought out this sense of camaraderie and feeling of connection between each other that they haven’t had before.
Visuals: The camera cuts back to Katrina Lazaroff being interviewed.
Script: Receiving this grant was a great celebration on behalf of The Mill team because we’ve been spending the last year and a half really concentrating on nurturing our community here.
Visuals: The camera zooms out on a wooden sign saying ‘The Mill – The Sum of All Arts’ - 154 Angas Street Kaurna Yarta. Then moves on to a shot from behind of two men editing video on two computer screens. The camera then zooms in on art supplies and paintings in progress on a table, followed by images of a group giving a man a gift and clapping, then flashes to some messy art desks covered in supplies.
Script: We have a very unique arts centre with, you know, resident artists here 365 days a year. It’s a very, we have a big responsibility and opportunity to take care of these artists based here.
Visuals: We once again see the First Nations artist working on her dot painting with the man sitting on the floor next to her watching. The camera then switches to two artists standing underneath hanging art works and talking animatedly with their hands. The camera zooms in on the hanging art works, which are wiry and colourful, then pans down on the two artists speaking, one has short hair and is wearing all black, the other has long dark hair and is wearing a yellow skirt and black top.
Script: We’ve received feedback from artists quite enlightened by being given these opportunities and they’ve been kind of awakened by the especially the wellbeing workshops that some, some people have never done anything like that before.
Visuals: The image returns to Katrina Lazaroff at her desk being interviewed.
Script: It’s allowed us to do work that as staff that we haven’t had the facility or the resources to achieve. So we’re really grateful that these artists are being now triggered to share more with each other and they’ve been really excited by these spotlight sessions.
End frame.
Connecting artists for wellbeing
Our Community Grant enabled The Mill Adelaide to empower local artists to share personal stories of creativity and resilience. Through this initiative, artists were able to overcome isolation and build lasting connections, enriching both their practice and the wider community.
Want more information?
To contact our grants team, email grants@auspost.com.au.
1 Disaster-impacted community