Celebrating Over 55s - Seniors Festival Grant

Applications now open

Seniors Festival 2026 is rapidly approaching, with this year's theme being 'Connect, Create, Celebrate!'

Celebrating Over 55s - Seniors Festival grants of up to $500 are available to fund events and activities in Nillumbik for people aged 55 and over during Seniors Festival in the month of October 2026. 

The grant aims to:

• recognise and celebrate people aged over 55 in the Shire of Nillumbik
• encourage participation of older people in community activities and events
• encourage people aged over 55 to learn new skills
• encourage people aged over 55 to build social connections
• promote healthy ageing.

What can be funded

One-off costs associated with running a low cost or free event or activity throughout October, such as: 

• morning teas
• exhibitions or showcases
• ‘come and try’ sessions
• musical performances
• information sessions and forums
• intergenerational activities.

What won't be funded

• A project, event or activity that is not being held in the Nillumbik municipal boundary, or does not directly benefit the Nillumbik community.
• Day to day operational expenses, remuneration or core business costs (for example ongoing salaries, administrative, maintenance, and/or organisational operating costs, uniforms, infrastructure, utilities etc).
• Projects that have received full funding from another source.
• Events that are for members only.
• Events that are part of an organisation’s core business, or usual weekly club meetings.
• Venues that are not accessible eg no lift or accessible toilet.
• Retrospective funding or projects which are not being run during October 2026.
• Applicants that are in debt to the Shire or non-compliant with all grants previously awarded.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration applicants must:

• be a not-for-profit incorporated organisation or community group that lives, works, studies, volunteers or plays in Nillumbik
  • unincorporated organisations and groups can apply if partnered with (auspiced by) an eligible not-for-profit incorporated organisation
• hold a minimum of $20 million in public liability insurance (if your activity will be held in a Council venue or on Council land, you may be eligible for coverage under Council’s Community Liability insurance)
• have acquitted and be compliant with all Nillumbik grants previously awarded by Council.

If you do not hold current public liability insurance:

• Applications may be submitted without current public liability insurance on the condition that it is purchased and a Certificate of Currency is provided once the grant is successful.
• You may apply through an auspice organisation if your group does not wish to purchase insurance.
• Or you may be eligible for coverage under Council’s community public liability insurance if your activity is entirely held in a Council venue.

Funding conditions

Successful applicants must agree to:

• keep Council informed of any changes to the proposed funded activity
• liaise with Council regarding their promotional material and use of the appropriate Nillumbik Shire Council logo
• obtain all relevant project and event related permits, approvals, and licenses from the relevant authorities prior to commencement
• return the full or remaining amount of the grant to Council if the funded activity is cancelled or is less than budgeted
• submit an acquittal and evaluation to Council by 24 November 2026.

Event information is to be provided to the Social Connections Officer by Friday 14 August 2026 for inclusion in Council’s Seniors Festival promotional material.

Acquittal and evaluation

This information enables Council to evaluate the achievements of funded activities, monitor the effectiveness of the grant program and ensure that we are meeting the needs of grant recipients and the community.

Recipients who have an outstanding acquittal for a grant, without an approved grant variation in place, may be ineligible for funding in future grant rounds until the outstanding acquittal is completed.