Power saving bonus
Eligible Victorian households can apply for the Power Saving Bonus through the Victorian Energy Compare (VEC) website. When applying, households need a recent residential electricity bill and must hold a health care, pensioner concession, veterans' affairs pensioner concession or veterans' affairs gold card.
The $100 Power Saving Bonus for concession card households is in addition to the $150 Energy Bill Relief Fund all households receive from the Commonwealth Government.
Any Victorian who is struggling with their energy bills can also access the Energy Assistance Program - a free over-the-phone support service.
To apply visit, compare.energy.vic.gov.au or call 1800 000 832. For the Energy Assistance Program call 1800 161 215.
Regional communications and digital connectivity
Mary Aldred Federal Member for Monash spoke in parliament to highlight regional connectivity as a critical priority for her local community.
Ms Aldred said connectivity was a major challenge for small businesses, families and community organisations right across the Monash electorate and beyond, and something that she believed needed to be addressed as a major national challenge.
A recent report released by the OECD was critical of the growing discrepancy between metro and rural broadband performance.
The OECD report noted Australia is one of a group of countries that, whilst having extensive networks of broadband, is still struggling with the challenge of equality of access in regional areas.
Hamer Scholarships for regional kids
Victorian tertiary students will again have the chance to undertake six months' of supported immersive study in China through the revival of Victoria's Hamer Scholarship program - with spots to be reserved for regional students.
Twenty new Hamer Regional Scholarships will be awarded to select students who are studying, living in or from regional Victoria - providing them $10,000 to support their six months' study in China.
Hamer Scholars study at in-country universities for around six months to develop their Asian language skills, cultural competency, professional networks, and market knowledge - assisting businesses to build the people-to-people contacts and market insights needed for doing business with Asia.
Guidelines and timelines for the Hamer Regional Scholarship Program will be released in due course.
Youth Parliament
Federal Member for Monash Mary Aldred MP has encouraged young people in the electorate to nominate for the National Youth Parliament.
The National Youth Parliament will bring together 150 senior school students, each representing one of Australia's federal electorates, to engage directly with civics and the Parliament. All young people who will be aged 16-17 and living in Australia in August 2026 are welcome to apply - regardless of background, education or experience.
Details and expressions of interest at nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au/
More arts Victoria's regions
Applications are now open for the Small Regional Presenters program, which helps not-for-profits and community groups attract performances to their local area.
Grants up to $15,000 are available to support the presentation of events, as well as enabling local venues and presenters to build their skills and capacity, develop long term plans for their businesses and reach new audiences.
For further details about the program and to apply, visit the Regional Arts Victoria website: www.rav.net.au
Library funding
MYLI Community Library has been allocated $291,877 for library services in Bass Coast in the current Victoria budget. The service has been allocated $1.7 million across the four regions it services: Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Cardinia and South Gippsland.
The funding is through the Public Libraries Funding program, which supports a range of essential community activities and services, including collection of items, IT, library and outreach programs.