Kitchen upgrades, roof installation and oval resurfacing are amongst 13 local projects to be given the green light in the latest round of community grants.
Baw Baw Shire councillors endorsed almost $110,000 be shared amongst 13 community groups across the shire.
Groups from Hallora to Tetoora Road and Rokeby applied for the minor capital work grants of up to $10,000.
Overall 15 applications were reviewed by an assessment panel, with one withdrawn and another deemed ineligible.
The successful recipients were:
Drouin Cricket Club - $10,000 to upgrade its community kitchen;
Ellinbank Football and Netball Club - $10,000 for netting behind goals;
Hallora Recreation Reserve - $10,000 to convert existing oval surface to Kikuyu grass;
Neerim District Community House and Men's Shed - $10,000 to build an undercover barbecue and entertainment area adjacent to the kitchen entrance;
Neerim South Public Hall Reserve Committee of Management - $6535 to paint the backstage and dressing rooms at Algie Hall;
Rokeby Reserve and Hall Committee - $10,000 for tennis court concreting and drainage works;
Tetoora Road Community Centre - $9360 for a skillion roof to abut the existing shed in the carpark;
Trafalgar Truck Restorers Club - $5000 for an accessible hard-surface carpark for its Darnum heritage complex;
Victorian Railways Institute - $10,000 to replace ramps and decking for the VRI Artspace;
Warragul and District Kennel and Obedience Club - $2820 to remove sheep pens and unwanted fencing to upgrade training ground;
Warragul Poultry Club - $10,000 for a kitchen refurbishment; and
Warranor Junior Football Club - $10,000 for seating installations on the oval's edge.
Drouin Golf and Country Club also is earmarked to receive $5553 for a driving range upgrade. This would see AFL goalposts installed as unique targets and perimeter netting added to reduce ball loss and safety. However, it is reliant on further approvals.
Councillors also noted the allocation of $140,000 to 36 groups in round one of its community project grants, announced last month. Both the minor capital works grants and community project grants are part of the Baw Baw Shire's annual $400,000 community grants scheme.
Cr Jess Hamilton thanked clubs and associations who went out of their way to support the community. "You are the heart and soul of our community," Cr Hamilton said.
Cr Kate Wilson said community grants were an amazing way for council to deliver its fundamental role of strengthening communities.
Praising these groups who were filled with "people who take the initiative and choose to make a difference", Cr Wilson said the new pre-application process may be the reason for many newcomers this year.
Cr Paul Pratt said the new councillor group had provided additional funds to the community grants program to support great projects and tireless volunteers. "The next round of grant funding opens in early 2026, and we encourage eligible community groups and clubs to get involved."