Community Fund

The Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund was established in 2015 to provide ongoing financial support to local community clubs and organisations. The Community Fund is overseen by the Community Fund Committee, membership is made up of volunteers from the local community, and Bald Hills Wind Farm providing administrative support.

The Community Fund provides financial grant for projects of social, economic or environmental benefit to the Tarwin Lower, Venus Bay, Walkerville districts. This may include funding for local sporting groups, charities, community groups, education, culture, arts and other not-for-profit organisations or other community needs*.

Bald Hills Wind Farm will provide $25,000 per year for each year that the wind farm is in operation to the Community Fund. Any funds not utilised will be carried over to the next year.

2026 Grant

This year, the Community Fund has $27,000 available for grants to community organisations. The Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund Committee has decided that for the 2026 financial year it will provide two categories of grants:

• DISTRICT PROJECT GRANT: One grant of up to $15,000 will be awarded to an organisation undertaking a District Project. District Projects must demonstrate community partnerships/collaboration and overall benefit to the district/wider community.
• SMALL PROJECT GRANTS: A number of Small Projects will be awarded up to the amount $2,000 per project and one Small Project will be awarded up to the amount of $5,000. Small Project grants are for the organisation to enable it to provide a benefit or service to the local community.

The applications for the projects should:

• demonstrate collaboration and increased community participation;
• show that the project is achievable within local mandates;
• demonstrate the need for the project and include supporting research; and
• take into consideration the approval necessary and the ownership/maintenance of any new asset.

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Assessment and Notification

Applications will be assessed by a committee of community members and successful applicants will be advised in writing.

Funding

The funding for successful applications will be paid by Bald Hills Wind Farm and grants must be used within 12 months of their award.

Recent Grant Awardees

2025

The Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund awarded it’s 2025 District Grant of $15,000 to Tarwin Lower Football & Netball Club, with Small Grants being awarded to various community groups including, Tarwin Lower Tennis Club, Tarwin Lower Primary School, Tarwin Lower & District Rural Fire Brigade and Venus Bay Surf Lifesaving Club.

2024

The Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund awarded it’s 2024 District Grant of $15,000 to Tarwin Lower Mechanics Institute Co of Management, with several $2,000 Small Grants being awarded to various community groups including, Walkerville Ratepayers & Resident Association (WRRA), Thirsty Work Studio Gallery, Tarwin Landcare Group, Venus Bay & District Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Venus Bay Community Centre.

2023

The Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund awarded it’s 2023 District Grant of $15,000 to Tarwin Lower Primary School, with several $2,000 Small Grants being awarded to various community groups including, Grants Only Group, Tarwin Landcare Group, Tarwin District Auto & Machinery Club Inc, Tarwin Lower & Venus Bay Tourism & Local Commerce Association. Venus Bay Community Centre and Venus Bay & District Community Emergency Response Team.

2022

The Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Fund awarded it’s 2022 District Grant of $15,000 to The Venus Bay Community Centre, with several $2,000 Small Grants being awarded to various community groups including Venus Bay Community Centre, Tarwin District Auto & Machinery Club Inc, Tarwin Lower Mechanics Institute, Venus Bay & District Community Emergency Response Team and Grants Only Group.

Previous Awardees

Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve, Tarwin Lower & District Men’s Shed, Friends of Venus Bay Peninsula Inc, Thirsty Works Studio Gallery, Watch for Wildlife, Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club Inc, Tarwin Lower Mechanics Institute, Venus Bay Community Centre, Grants Only Group, Tarwin Lower Primary School, Tarwin Wildlife Shelter, Tarwin Lower and District Community Health Care, Tarwin Netball Club, Tarwin Fire Brigade, Tarwin Football Club and more.

Committee Members

If you are interested in applying for a position on the Committee, please register your interest by emailing [email protected]