Greater Western Water’s Thriving Communities Grants and Sponsorship program has awarded multiple community groups across Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges.
In total, GWW is supporting 28 community groups to help make community projects, events and activities happen in 2025-26, with seven of those coming from Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges.
This year, GWW said it have received a record number of applications compared with any other year, prompting the water company to award approximately $180,000 in grants and sponsorships to local groups across its service region.
Community groups can apply for grants of up to $20,000 for community grants and up to $5000 for local community sponsorship.
In Sunbury, two groups were awarded through the program, including the Sunbury Community Festival for its Sunfest 2026 event, and the Sunbury Community Garden for improvements to its Children’s Garden.
Five groups across the Macedon Ranges were awarded through the program.
These include the Lion’s Club of Riddells Creek for its Pollinator Garden project for the Lions Memorial Park; Romsey Neighbourhood House for its crisis support trailer; Gisborne and District Lions Club for its Lions Gisborne Festival 2025, happening later this year; Creative Ranges Foundation for its Spring Youth Festival event in Woodend; and Eastern Macedon Ranges Business and Tourism Association for its Christmas in Romsey Festival 2025.
GWW strategy and partnerships general manager Kessia Thomson said the organisation was overwhelmed by the number and quality of applications this year.
“We’re supporting more projects than ever before, and we can’t wait to see them come to life over the next 12 months,” she said.
“We’re supporting a diverse range of projects that will support positive liveability, education, sustainability, and health and wellbeing outcomes for our customers and communities across every corner of our service region.”
For the full list of 2025/26 Thriving Communities Grants recipients, visit gww.com.au/about/community/thriving-communities-grants-sponsorships
