Tomorrow Today board chair Louise Pearce said that every year Tomorrow Today awarded grants of up to $5000 for projects that built a stronger, more connected community or improved the social or educational outcomes for Benalla’s young people.
“Tomorrow Today was formed more than 20 years ago and while the Education Benalla Program has become our core focus, our grant-making program, which is all about building the capacity of our community, remains a highlight of our year,” Ms Pearce said.
“That’s the reason we make such an effort to raise money for our community fund.
“I’d like to thank all our donors, we are so grateful for their generosity.
“The money donated to the fund is invested so that we can use the income generated to make these annual grants year after year.”
The 13 community projects funded for 2025 include:
- Benalla Scouts ‘CWA Garden Rejuvenation’: In a true community partnership, this project aims to renew and revive the CWA Hall front garden. The Scouts and Joey Scouts will work together to install a watering system and plant perennial plants and shrubs to provide a low-maintenance garden that will look good year-round.
- St Joseph’s Primary School ‘Indigenous Garden’: This funding will allow for the creation of an Indigenous Garden at the school which will provide a culturally rich space to learn about Indigenous heritage, native plants and environmental sustainability. It will strengthen the students’ connection to Country.
- Benalla Homelessness Response Group ‘Volunteer Training and Capacity Building’: The group will use the funds to provide volunteer training in two areas: ‘Accidental Counsellor’ and ‘Safe Talk Suicide Prevention’. This empowers volunteers to provide better support to those at risk or experiencing homelessness, hardship or crisis.
- North East Multicultural Association ‘Children’s Week Activities’: As part of Children’s Week celebrations and to coincide with the Benalla Festival, NEMA will be hosting a range of multicultural activities for children. These funds will help to make these activities possible.
- Bernard Briggs Kindergarten ‘Gross Motor Skill Resources’: Funds will be used to purchase a range of new educational outdoor equipment that focus on gross motor development and improving wellbeing and physical development.
- Munro Avenue Kindergarten ‘Outdoor Equipment Upgrade’: Funds will be used to upgrade its outdoor play equipment to cater to the diverse learning needs of all children at the kindergarten.
- Australian Indian Historical Society ‘The Life of Siva Singh Book’: Funding to produce a book that will be distributed free of charge that focuses on the life of Siva Singh — a hawker and farmer in Benalla. The project aims to celebrate his contributions to both the Indian and wider Australian communities and to foster understanding and inclusion.
- Benalla Swimming Club ‘SONR Headsets’: Funding will be used to purchase SONR headsets to assist children who are hearing impaired or with ADHD to receive instructions from their coach while they are in the water during their swimming lessons.
- EdSpace ‘Social Enterprise’: The grant will be used to develop a resale enterprise to provide low-cost services and items to the community, while preparing students for future work as they learn how to run a social enterprise.
- Ride Avenue Preschool ‘Resource Upgrade’: Funds will be used to upgrade and renew ageing resources to enrich the learning environment for children.
- Baddaginnie Hall Committee ‘Youth Disco’: Funds will be used for a youth disco evening and a first aid kit for the hall. The event will provide an opportunity for Baddaginnie’s young people to socialise in a safe environment.
- Benalla P-12 College ‘Beyond Books’: The grant will be used to purchase a range of books focused on emotional wellbeing. The project will equip students and their families with valuable reading resources to help them manage tough emotions and life’s challenges.
- Life Church Play Group ‘Outdoor Learning Space’: Funding to create a welcoming outdoor learning and play space for its free community playgroup.
Tomorrow Today board member Larissa Montgomery praised the successful applicants.
“Congratulations to all our grant recipients for the contribution they make to see our community thrive,” Ms Montgomery said.
“We’re confident that these projects will have lasting benefits for the Benalla community.”
Kate Holmes, from the Benalla Homelessness Response Group, said the grant was critical for the group.
“This funding will help our group better support the most vulnerable members of our community,” she said.
“The ‘accidental counsellor’ training will empower 20 to 30 volunteers who are involved in the night shelter and ‘welcome kitchen’ programs.
“It will help them when they are sitting in the hot-spot, witnessing difficult stories, and empower them to provide invaluable support to those who share their life experiences.
“We will be able to provide the ‘safe talk suicide prevention’ training to 30 people.
“We will be offering this to the broader community as well as our own volunteers.
“We hope that in this way other community groups who have regular volunteers can also build capacity in this crucial space.”
Caroline Osborne from Benalla Swimming Club was enthusiastic about the grant.
“At the Benalla swimming club, we are very excited about this grant money,” she said.
“It will allow us to purchase a set of SONR coaching headsets, which will have huge benefits for members who are hearing impaired or with ADHD.
“The SONR allows the coach to talk directly to the swimmer via a radio transmitter while they are in the water.
“I just want to say, thank you so much for all that Tomorrow Today does for the community.”
Tomorrow Today executive officer Jodie Fleming closed proceedings at the presentation.
“What an inspiring collection of projects we have this year,” she said.
“It’s clear that each one brings something unique and exciting — and together, they promise to make a real and lasting difference in our community.
“We’re really looking forward to staying connected with all our grant recipients as they bring their plans to fruition.”
Anyone who would like to support Tomorrow Today’s grants program can donate online via tomorrowtoday.com.au call 5762 1211 or visit the foundation’s office at shop 10, 66 Nunn St.
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