Shortstack: A round up of news, views and opportunities

Children’s Week Grants

Applications are open for councils and not-for-profit organisations to host free community events to celebrate this year’s Children’s Week.

Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $1000 to host exciting educational events and activities for children and families during Children’s Week, which runs from October 21 to 29.

The grants support free activities including cooking sessions, art exhibitions, outdoor play, dance workshops, musical performances, storytelling and picnics for our littlest Victorians to learn through play.

Applications close on July 16. To apply, visit vic.gov.au/children’s-week

Mental Health Prize

The Australian Mental Health Prize, established by UNSW Sydney, aims to honour those making ground-breaking contributions in advocacy, research, and community service.

Nominations are now open, for mental health heroes in the community. Whether it be a researcher shedding light on innovative treatments, an advocate fighting for policy change, or a community service provider making a tangible impact, their efforts deserve recognition.

To nominate someone for the Australian Mental Health Prize, please visit www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au. Submissions close on July 17.

‘People with Purpose’ grant

Are you or someone in your life doing incredible work in sustainability, environmental protection or animal welfare?

INIKA Organic ‘People with Purpose’ grant offers community unsung heroes $10,000 to further invest in their cause.

Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply at www.inikaorganic.com/pages/people-with-purpose

Applications are open to individuals and groups of up to 10 and closes on August 9 at 11.59pm.

Learn Local awards

Nominations are open for the Victorian Learn Local awards, that celebrate excellence in the adult and community education sector.

Categories at this year’s event celebrate trainers, leaders, learners, and Learn Local programs – including the Ro Allen Award for Pre-accredited Learner (Skills for study and life).

The prize pool totals $84,000, with organisation award category winners each receiving $10,000, individual category winners receiving $5000 and all category finalists receiving $1000.

To explore the categories and make a nomination, visit vic.gov.au/learn-local-awards.

Nominations close August 25.

Community Achievement Award

Nominations are opening soon for the 2023 Community Achievement Awards for Victoria.

If someone has impressed you with their community spirit, why not nominate them! The Community Achievement Awards for Victoria will launch on Tuesday June 20, and the state-wide search for local contributors who are making a real difference in your region will begin.

The awards celebrate those people who have contributed to their community, no matter how big or small.

Full details of the Category descriptions and the conditions of entry can be found at: awardsaustralia.com/viccaa

Nominations close September 1. Winners will be announced on December 1 at a gala presentation dinner.

Strengthening Victoria’s electoral system

The government has established an expert panel to consider ways of further strengthening the integrity of Victoria’s electoral and political donations system.

The panel will be chaired by Ms Elizabeth Williams, who was Victoria’s Deputy Electoral Commissioner from 2005 to 2021.

Ms Williams will serve alongside Mr David Feeney and Ms Helen Kroger, and as required by the reforms to the Electoral Act 2002 in 2018, the panel will review the operation of the amendments at the 2022 Victorian Election.

The 2018 reforms included banning anonymous donations above $1000 and placed a general cap of $4000 on the value of donations from a single source in a four-year electoral cycle.

This report is due by November 24, 2023.