South West Community Foundation

04/06/2026

What a fantastic weekend at the Plates & Paddocks event 🙌

Congratulations to Camperdown Community House and everyone involved in bringing this event to life. Seeing young people from across the Corangamite region step up, showcase their skills and serve a community meal made from incredible local produce was something special.

This is what community impact looks like in action. Programs like Plates & Paddocks do more than build hospitality skills. They build confidence, connection and a genuine sense of pride in where you come from.

We're proud to have played a part in supporting this through our partnership with Gardiner Foundation, and we can't wait to see what comes next for this program and the young people behind it.

We held the first Plates and Paddocks program over the weekend: what a time! We had a fantastic group of young people aged 14-18 years from all across Corangamite! Read all about it here: https://camperdownch.com.au/plates-and-paddocks-a-new-program-providing-opportunity-for-young-people-in-corangamite/

This program is supported by South West Community Foundation and Gardiner Foundation

We will be running more of these in the near future, if you are aged between 15-25 years and interested in expanding your food industry skills, please get in touch! https://camperdownch.com.au/contact/

03/06/2026

You might have seen our name around, but what does South West Community Foundation actually do?
We connect local generosity with local need.

SWCF is a place-based community foundation serving the South West Victoria region. We build and manage community funds that support grassroots projects, local organisations and community-led initiatives — now and into the future.

Here's how it works. Donors contribute to a named fund, and those funds are held in perpetuity and invested over time. The returns are used to support local priorities, identified by people who know this region best.
It's long-term, locally-informed giving - structured, transparent and built to last.

We're not here to be the hero. We're here to make it easier for local generosity to find its way to where it's needed most.
If you'd like to learn more about how SWCF works, or how you can get involved, find us at southwestcommunityfoundation.org.

01/06/2026

A big congratulations to Greg and Jo Moon, and everyone at Murcott's Driver Safety, on delivering the ALERT Warrnambool Defensive Driver Training day right here in our region. Making practical, high-quality road safety training accessible and local is no small thing, and the impact of that work is real.

Seeing drivers walk away with greater confidence, sharper skills and a better understanding of their vehicle is exactly the kind of outcome that strengthens our community for the long term.

We're proud to have supported this initiative and to see it come to life so successfully. Well done to all involved.

28/05/2026

Last week, SWCF Executive Officer Alison attended the National Community Foundations Forum 2026 in Melbourne, hosted at the beautiful Abbotsford Convent.
This year's theme was Meeting The Moment - and it couldn't have felt more relevant. With community foundations across the country navigating significant shifts, from climate transition to rising inequality, the conversations were timely, practical and energising.

It was a great reminder of the strength of this network and the important role community foundations play in grounding responses in local knowledge and community leadership.
South West Community Foundation is proud to be part of a movement that's showing up and working toward community-led change across the country.

27/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June.

This year's theme is All In - a reminder that reconciliation is something we all have a role in. It's not a passive process, and it's not the responsibility of First Nations people alone. It asks all of us to step up and play our part.
The week is bookended by two significant dates in Australia's history: the 1967 referendum and the High Court's Mabo decision.

We acknowledge this week with respect and reflect on what it means to be part of a community committed to understanding, truth and shared progress.

25/05/2026

South West Community Foundation was delighted to be part of the Regional Arts Victoria (RAV) Creative Partnership Circle Quarterly Meeting, held this time in Camperdown at the Old Chambers, Corangamite Shire Civic Centre.

It was a meaningful and informative session filled with shared experiences, highlights from across the region and exciting collaborative opportunities.

Thank you to our hosts, Corangamite Shire, and to all participants for generously sharing their projects, ideas and future plans. These conversations are an important reminder of the vital role arts and creativity play in enriching our communities, strengthening connections and enhancing our everyday lives.

24/05/2026

South West Community Foundation received a heartfelt thank you to the Koroit & District Community Fund, for supporting the Koroit Football Netball Club’s All Abilities Football Team with their guernseys.

“We are incredibly grateful for your support in providing our club guernseys and getting the team up and running. The participants are absolutely loving the opportunity to play All Abilities Football in a fun, social and inclusive environment.

Not only are they developing their football skills, but they are also building confidence, social connections and community participation along the way.”

The team has started the season strongly, competing in two fantastic games so far:
🏉 Sunday 3 May – vs Wimmera Whippets in Horsham
🏉 Wednesday 13 May – vs South Warrnambool in Warrnambool

As you can see from the photos, the smiles and pride in wearing their guernseys say it all. We’re so proud to support such an inclusive and inspiring program within our community.

23/05/2026

What a fantastic few days representing South West Community Foundation at the National Community Foundations Forum 2026 on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm.

We joined community foundations from across Australia — and around the world — to share ideas, strengthen partnerships and explore how we can continue supporting resilient, inclusive and connected communities.

Some key takeaways included:
🌟 Inspiring conversations about meeting the changing needs of communities
🌟 New collaborations and partnerships forming across regions and sectors
🌟 Important discussions around inclusion, Indigenous-led funds and community leadership
🌟 Celebrating the achievement of DGR1 reform and what comes next for the sector

It was also a special opportunity to acknowledge the incredible contribution of outgoing CEO Ian Bird and welcome incoming co-CEOs Georgia Mathews and Dylan Smith.

A huge thank you to Community Foundations Australia, and all involved in delivering such a meaningful and energising event.

22/05/2026

Today our Executive Officer, Alison, popped out to Warrnambool Airport to see what was happening with the ALERT Warrnambool program.

She caught up with one of the Founders, Greg Moon and stepped into a session as a Mercotts educator discussed the safe distance drivers should leave between their vehicle and the car in front.

Greg and Jo Moon have created an amazing three-day driving education program, ensuring the road safety message is ringing loud and clear across our communities.

Also attending the program were ACE Radio Network General Manager, Tracey Kol and Rookie (Lachlan Rooke), popular radio presenter, Content Director and Afternoons Host on 95.3 Coast FM, who shared their key takeaways from the morning session.

21/05/2026

A reminder that It's National Volunteer Week (18–24 May) and as you head into your footy club, community group meeting, local committee or weekend sport this weekend, we have one small request.
Take a moment to thank a volunteer.

The people who set up, show up and give their time - often quietly and without recognition - are the backbone of our communities. They deserve to hear it.
To every volunteer across our region: your contribution matters more than you know.