Council
6 August, 2026
Groups cash in on Ready Now funding
CORANGAMITE Shire Council has noted the report for the Ready Now Grants program, with 48 community organisations supported during the 2025-2026 financial year.
Councillors unanimously voted at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council to note the report, with the grants delegated to the chief executive officer for approval.
The Ready Now Grants program provides small grants of up to $500 to volunteer community organisations for proposals which do not fit under council’s other grant programs and are open year-round.
An additional 10 applications were received but did not receive funding under the program.
Of these ineligible applications, five were for ineligible expenses, two were from ineligible applicants, one was withdrawn, one was awaiting a Memorandum of Understanding and one was on behalf of an applicant with a current grant which is awaiting acquittal.
The total funding allocation under the Ready Now Grants program was $19,958 – just $42 shy of the allocated budget of $20,000.
In July 2025 the Noorat Recreation Reserve Trustees received $500 to add line markings for the stairwells.
The Cobrico Hall Committee and Terang Men’s Shed each received $200 and Cooinda Terang received $500 towards the running of RUOK Day events last August.
Terang Men’s Shed again received funding this March, securing $500 to purchase a new laptop.
Noorat and District Residents Association received $226 in April 2026 to purchase extendable barrier fencing and bollards.
Noorat again benefitted from the program in April, with the Noorat and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society receiving $275 for the creation of a traffic management plan.
Councillor Ruth Gstrein moved the motion, saying it was great to see the summary report put before council.
“It’s great to see the variety and the diversity of the organisations that have received them, and I can’t believe we came in $42 under budget,” she said.
“This round of funding is continual, so it goes right throughout the year until we allocate $20,000.
“There will be funding there, so if there are small projects you need help with, please talk to our grants staff and they’ll help you submit an application.”
Cr Nick Cole seconded the motion, saying the small amounts of money made a massive difference to many of the small community groups who apply.
“Please keep bringing in applications for next year,” he said.