-IN THIS EDITION-
> Thank you for sharing your voice
> Nominate a volunteer
> Funding Opportunities
> Training Opportunities
> Share with your Networks
Welcome to this edition of our Community Groups eNews. If you’re new to our eNews, we’re delighted to have you on board. This edition highlights funding and training opportunities, and ways to stay connected with what’s happening across Frankston City.
- From Frankston City Council’s Community Strengthening team
Thank you for sharing your voice
A big thank you to the 64 community groups who completed our first Community Groups Survey and congratulations to our three giveaway winners: Peninsula Arts Society, Frankston Archery Club and Langwarrin Combined Probus Club.
You told us the Council supports you value the most are:
- Networking opportunities
- Grant application and acquittal support
- Community awareness training (e.g. mental health first aid)
- Volunteer management training
- Promotion of your organisation
With your top challenges being recruiting and retaining volunteers, accessing funding and grants, and finding suitable facilities or venues, you asked us for more training in grant writing, volunteer management and engagement, and more chances to collaborate and network. This feedback is helping shape our upcoming programs and support in the next year.
Nominate a volunteer for the 'Volunteering Frankston Awards'
Do you know a dedicated volunteer who commits their time to the Frankston City and wider community? You can recognise their efforts through the Volunteering Frankston Awards.
Who to nominate:
- Individuals, (volunteering for an organisation that is registered with Volunteering Frankston)
- Any not for profit or community organisation, registered with Volunteering Frankston
Categories for Awards
Organisations or individuals are able to nominate volunteers for recognition across six categories:
- Impact
- Service
- Leadership
- Youth Community
- Senior Community
- Teamwork
Funding Opportunities
Community connection and accessibility grants
Do you have a project idea that meaningfully connects people with the community or makes community life more accessible?
Grants are now open through the Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) Frankston for one-off funding over $3,000.
There are two categories local organisations can apply for:
- Opportunity – create ways for people to come together by putting on events, social groups, or other activities.
- Accessibility – create more ways for people to access our community by improving physical or digital access, creating sensory friendly environments, or trialling more inclusive activities.
Projects should support practical and community-led ideas, encourage innovation and be delivered across the Frankston City area.
Applications close 26 April 2026
For more information, call 0427 249 033 or email SIAG.team@frankston.vic.gov.au
Pace Farm – Community Grants Program
The grants are open to community groups including charities, sporting clubs, schools, environmental organisations and community groups.
Projects may include upgrading food charity kitchens, improving sporting clubrooms, delivering education programs to remote groups, providing community health and wellness programs, or assisting a revegetation initiative.
Eligible groups can apply for grants of up to $5,000 a year to fund projects that have positive and measurable benefits for their community and have the potential for long-term impact beyond the grant.
Round 1 applications close 31 March 2026
Contact PACE Farm for more information on 9830 9800.
Looking for funding opportunities?
Council have signed up to 'Grant Guru' so you have FREE access to search more than 1300 external grants worth more than $60 billion.
Register to receive emailed alerts for new grants, save your favourites and access tips to help you apply for grants.
Training Opportunities
The ‘Tuff’ Stuff: Volunteer Performance Counselling
13 May 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Online (via Zoom) FREE (supported by VMA funding)
Interactive workshop helps managers and leaders of volunteers with the art of performance counselling.
- Understand the importance of developing policies and procedures and where to begin
- Identify the best approach to deliver Volunteer Performance counselling
- Develop the confidence to have those tough conversations
- Understand how to develop prevention strategies and minimise risk
Navigating Professional Boundaries
21 April 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Online (via Zoom) FREE (supported by VMA funding)
A practical, interactive session designed to explore the real-world challenges of managing professional relationships in the modern volunteering environment.
Through discussion and scenario-based learning, unpack what healthy boundaries look like, how to build trust while maintaining professionalism, and the kinds of systems and support structures that can help.
Share with your Networks
Win a Bike Package! Photo competition
Bayside Health is inviting all women and female identifying individuals living in Frankston City and the Mornington Peninsula to enter our bike photo competition.
If your photo is selected, you will win a bike, helmet and lock, and your photo will be shared on @a_healthy_peninsula Instagram to help inspire more women to ride.
- How to Enter: Send them a photo of yourself with your bike in your local area, either on your own, or riding with family and friends. Then email your photo by 20 April 2026 to healthpromotion@phcn.vic.gov.au
