Community Groups

The diversity of special-interest groups in and around Steels Creek means there really is something for everyone to get involved with.
The buttons below link to information, news and contacts for the various clubs and groups, many of which meet at the Steels Creek Community Centre. Further down the page, you’ll find some links to useful resources for community groups.

  •   Art Group

    Book Club

    Clamberers

    Film Club

    Garden Club

    Landcare Group

     Stitchers

     Steels Creek Association

     Steels Creek Community Centre

     Tennis Club

    Community Group Resources

    OurCommunity

    Management, marketing, grants and more

    ourcommunity.com.au

    If you’re a community group member and are involved with its management or marketing, you might like to check out the OurCommunity website. It has a wealth of information on all sorts of things, from how to run an effective committee meeting, to how to raise funds, how to attract and manage volunteers, draft policies, find out about training, and much more. Some of the resources you can directly download; others you need to join as a member, but that’s free and easy.

    SCA Inc. has a subscription to the OurCommunity funding centre, which includes a monthly newsletter with all current grants. If you’d like to receive the latest ‘Funding Centre Scoop’, or if you’d like any assistance with writing a grant application, please contact SCA.

    Yarra Ranges Council

    Grants and other resources

    Click here for grants available through Yarra Ranges Council (click on the relevant buttons in the left sidebar of their page).

    Community Development Officer for the Yarra Valley, Jessica Adams, is also a good contact to find out what resources Council may have to help with your fundraising, events, training and other information to support your group to achieve its goals. Email Jessica or phone 9294 6866 / 0419 569 490.

    Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

    Bushfire recovery grants for 2014

    FRRR has developed a Natural Disaster Response Framework that supports the medium to long term recovery of rural and regional communities. FRRR has responded to a range of disaster events across rural and regional communities over the last 10 years, including Cylcone Larry, 2008 Emerald & Mackay Floods, the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, and 2011 floods and cyclones in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

    There were two grants programs in particular that were applicable to our community – STEPS and GR&W.

    The STEPS (Skills, Training, Engagement and Practical Support) program was designed to enhance leadership in rural communities, improve the ability of not-for-profit groups to develop and implement community projects and ensure community groups avoid experiencing the effects of volunteer fatigue. Applications for the final round of this grant program closed 17 January 2014, and this grant program is no longer available.

    The GR&W (Grants for Resilience and Wellness) program has a specific focus on providing assistance towards community-strengthening and resilience-building projects for communities affected by the 2009 Victorian bush fires. It is anticipated that three rounds of funding will be made available through to 2016.

    Round 6 project applications need to be submitted by 5 pm Friday 3 October for consideration at the Advisory Committee meeting on 5 November 2014.

    > More information and application forms

    Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

    Small Grants for Rural Communities

    This is the longest-running and broadest program offered by FRRR. The program is open twice a year, and closes at the end of March and September. Current Round 26 opens 1 August and closes 26 September.

    The program offers at least $400,000 per round in grants up to $5000 for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities, with populations of 10,000 or less, living in small rural and remote locations in Australia, contributing to their development in social and community welfare, economic, environmental, health, education or cultural areas.

    > More information and application forms

  • Click on the + to find out about other local groups that meet in Yarra Glen

    Friends of the Yarra Flats Billabongs
    Helping to develop the wetlands adjacent to Yarra Glen.
    Contact: Kevin Heeley, 9730 1704, kevinheeley@bigpond.com
    > Visit the website

    Yarra Glen & District Historical Society
    Collecting, preserving and publishing the history of Yarra Glen and district.
    Meeting 2nd Sunday of each month, 1.30pm at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall.
    Contact: Brenda Cawte 9730 1801
    > Visit the website
    Secret Men's Business (SMB)
    Coffee and a chat about football, opera and anything in between.
    Meeting last Thursday of each month, 10.30 – 11.30am at Delicious Café in Yarra Glen.
    Contact: Gordon Brown 9730 1937
    Women's Friendship Group
    Company, conversation, food and coffee.
    Meet 1st Monday of each month, 7pm.
    Contact: Lindy Montell 5965 2202 for current venue location
    Valley Voices
    Community singing group.
    Meet every Wednesday of school terms 9.30 – 11am, Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre.
    Cost $7.50 annual subscription to YGLLC plus gold coin donation per session.
    No experience required, just a sense of fun and willingness to join in. Everybody welcome.
    Just drop in.