Deadline: 11-Apr-25
The Colac Otway Shire Council is pleasedn to announce the Events Grants.
Grants Types
- Council supports two types of Events Grants:
- Community Events: Events must benefit Colac Otway Shire’s residents and businesses and have a strong community focus. Events should enhance the region’s profile, develop community cooperation and cohesion, build local skills, provide social opportunities or in other ways have a positive impact on the local community.
- Tourism Events: Major events attract a significant number of out of area visitors, with major branding/promotional opportunities for the host town & Colac Otway Shire.
Funding Information
- Community Events:
- Grants up to $5,000 to provide support for established events
- Grants up to $2,000 to provide support for new or one-off events
- COPACC Hire Assistance grants available for up to 50% of the cost of standard room hire at COPACC for the provision of performing arts and cultural activities. Maximum $5,000.
- Tourism Events:
- Grants up to $10,000 for major tourism events organised by local community
- Grants up to $5,000 for major tourism events organised by commercial event organisers
- New tourism events maximum is $5,000. Event organiser must demonstrate previous experience in major events.
Who can apply?
- Event Organiser definition – any individual, community group or entity who undertakes the planning, control, management and/or implementation of an event.
- Community groups/Clubs/Not-for-profit organisations based within Colac Otway Shire are eligible to apply for a Community Events grant, which may include COPACC venue hire.
- Applicant organisation must be one of the following:
- Community Group
- Applicant organisation must meet the definition of a community group. A community group is defined as a group or organisation which works for the public benefit. Voluntary & Community Groups have the following characteristics:
- Organised. A voluntary and community group has a structure with rules about how the group is organised and run. This is called a ‘governing document’ or ‘constitution’.
- Self-governing and independent from any other organisation. Voluntary and Community groups are independent and are free to appoint their own management committee.
- Not for Profit. No one from within the group will profit from the group. For example, committee members should not be paid for their work and any profits generated should be reinvested in the group.
- Voluntary. Voluntary and Community Groups are governed by a voluntary management committee and rely on the support of volunteers to carry out their activities.
- Public/community benefit. The group will carry out activities which benefit a particulate group of people within the community.
- Applicant organisation must meet the definition of a community group. A community group is defined as a group or organisation which works for the public benefit. Voluntary & Community Groups have the following characteristics:
- Community Group
- Community Asset Committee established by Council (formerly called a Section 86 Committee) for the purpose of managing a community asset in the Colac Otway Shire. E.g. Recreation Reserve Committee, Public Hall committee
- Not- for-profit, non-government organisations
- Commercial Event Organiser who is a legal business entity holding an event with substantial community benefit in the Colac Otway Shire.
- Must be incorporated (except for Commercial Event Organiser legal business entity
- Applicants with an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Primary/Secondary Schools based within Colac Otway Shire are eligible to apply for COPACC Hire Assistance only. Schools may apply for venue hire at their local Hall for annual school production performance if not feasible to attend COPACC.
Who cannot apply?
- Elected members (Councillors), Council employees (staff)
- Applicant organisations (or Auspice) that are associated with or promote activities deemed inappropriate (including but not limited to):
- any illegal activity
- any activity not in accordance with relevant legislation; permitting; regulations etc
- tobacco
- offensive or sexually explicit material
- discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or religion
- activities violating human rights
- political parties
- Gambling
For more information, visit Colac Otway Shire Council.
