The Rural City of Wangaratta has granted $166,000 to 41 local community groups and not-for-profit organisations as part of its 2025-2026 Community Grants Program. The program aims to support projects that improve accessibility, community resilience, mental health and wellbeing, cultural engagement, and environmental sustainability. The funding will assist a wide array of projects, from hosting events and providing essential training to purchasing equipment and upgrading infrastructure. Both urban and rural community organisations will benefit. Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said these grants are about empowering people to bring their ideas to life. "It’s rewarding to invest in initiatives that will bring lasting benefits and positive change to the people who live here," she said. This year’s grants will fund diverse initiatives, including an accessibility upgrade with a new disability toilet at the Wangaratta Equestrian Centre ($10,000) and a wheelchair-accessible gate at Glenrowan Recreation Reserve ($3000). Community connection projects include the Diwali Festival of Light hosted by the North East Multicultural Association ($5000), storyboards celebrating local history at Carl Schulz Reserve in Moyhu ($2700), and the 90th Anniversary Celebrations at Eldorado Memorial Hall ($4853). Youth and education projects include an intergenerational project between Greta Valley Primary School and aged care residents ($3500), a digital camera purchase for Wangaratta Auskick ($1000), and noise reduction upgrades at Whorouly & District Preschool ($10,000). The Wangaratta Stingrays Swimming Club will establish an All-Abilities Swim Squad ($8750). Sporting and recreation initiatives include pickleball court upgrades in Tarrawingee ($6485) and Wangaratta ($6305), an electronic scoreboard for the Tarrawingee Football and Netball Club ($10,000), and a table tennis equipment upgrade by the Wangaratta Table Tennis Association ($2544). Numerous other community groups received grants, including Whitfield District Primary School for its 150-year anniversary celebration ($3300), the King River and District Fishing Club for an access gate at Glenrowan Recreation Reserve ($3000), and the Wangaratta District Specialist School for its "Burrowing into our community" project ($5000).
