Multicultural Women Fashion

Organisation: Multicultural Women Victoria
Amount: $8,300

Multicultural Women Victoria (MWV) in partnership with The Social Studio in Collingwood would like to present “Multicultural Women Fashion” A community pilot project for migrant and refugee women from Greater and Inner Melbourne that provides them with positive mentoring opportunities and professional development in the textile and fashion industry. The aim of this pilot project is for MWV members to learn how to transform textile into garments, from concept identification to design illustration as well as collaboration with pattern makers and producers. The expected outcome is that these designs will be of high quality, model fitted and ready for photoshoot. We aim to have these designs represented during the Melbourne Fashion week in October 2025. We want to promote gender equality and inclusivity of CaLd women in the textile profession.

Image by Breeana Dunbar

The Girls’ Circle Project

Organisation: Banksia Gardens Community Services
Amount: $10,000

The Project broadens learning for migrant and refugee girls, helping them navigate cultural challenges. Led by bilingual female staff, Girls’ Circle offers social activities, open discussions, and education on topics like gender equality and mental health. It empowers girls to make informed life choices and pursue their goals. The Project is conducted at Kenley Court Neighbourhood House in Meadow Heights. The sessions run after school. We hold end-of-term excursions for girls and an end-of-year family get-together. Participation in the Girls’ Circe Project will: -Build girls’ confidence in their academic ability, foster leadership skills, and help all girls attending the sessions learn about gender equality and respectful relationships in a safe and inclusive environment. – Build their social network, aid the settlement process for the girls and their families -Engage and inform parents about topics of interest to their children and together identify ways to support girls’ development.

Raise Youth Mentoring Program – Creating life changing outcomes for our girls

Organisation: Raise Foundation
Amount: $10,000

As experts in youth mentoring, the Raise Youth Mentoring Program is a 20-week early-intervention initiative designed for at-risk of poor wellbeing students in years 7-9, focusing on those identified as disadvantaged or vulnerable. Working with school partners and wellbeing teams, the program matches these students with trained volunteer mentors who use an evidence-based curriculum to improve mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, and school engagement. Each week, mentors spend one hour with their mentee and another hour with a Program Counsellor for debriefing and skill development. The program targets girls in a lower Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage value public secondary schools across Victoria, ensuring prioritising girls in underserved school communities, with the 2025 mentoring program scheduled for Terms 2 and 3. Grant funding will support 12-15 young females in this cohort.

Finding Hope in Grief Podcast

Organisation: Hope Bereavement Care
Amount: $5,000

This podcast is a much-needed additional resource for Victorian mothers, who are grieving the death of a baby or child. It aims to meet the changing and varied needs of these women and their caregivers. This project aims to fill a gap in this space, where there is limited Australian audio content dealing with grief and to provide a more accessible resource to women seeking help, who report limited time, cost, and stigma, as barriers to access. The podcast will be available publicly and as a resource used by Hope and the many organisations they work alongside. The podcast offers connection, reassurance, and hope through personal stories, psychoeducation on grief, stress management strategies, capacity building for supporters, and advice on seeking additional support after baby loss.

Image courtesy of Conscious Combat

Trauma-informed Kickboxing Scholarships

Organisation: Conscious Combat Club
Amount: $10,000

We are working to ensure victim-survivors of family violence can access trauma-informed kickboxing. Our program is designed for women and LGBTIQA+ people. Through this grant we can offer a further 50 scholarships for victim-survivors to support their mental and physical health through movement. The intended outcomes for this project are to deliver 50 scholarships, with an 80% completion rate. Offering kickboxing programs for women and gender-diverse people challenges rigid stereotypes around gender and masculinity through creating an inclusive physical environment built on respect-based relationships. This grant will increase educational equity by reducing economic barriers that prevent women and gender-diverse people from accessing trauma-informed kickboxing. Based on feedback to date, we anticipate a measurable increase in confidence, body connection, grounding skills, boundary setting, and mindfulness.

Image courtesy of Women’s Property Initiatives

The Missing Middle Women: A Burning Issue

Organisation: Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI)
Amount: $6,600

Many older women aged 55-74 seeking support from specialist homelessness services belong to the “missing middle”; those with low assets who do not qualify for social housing but also have low incomes, making homeownership unattainable. They spend a large portion of their income on rent, and their struggles are frequently overlooked in data collection, obscuring the problem’s true scale. WPI previously piloted a shared equity scheme, providing affordable homes where women could invest $150,000, ensuring they have a secure, adaptable home for ageing. WPI maintained the properties, and the women’s investments could be accessed with interest in the future. Following the successful pilot and evaluation, WPI plans to expand this model with two new projects in the City of Whitehorse and Mornington Peninsula. 

Calmbirth Educators for Public Patients

Organisation: Barwon Health
Amount: $9,600

Barwon Health aims to train two midwives at University Hospital Geelong as Calmbirth educators to offer Calmbirth courses to pregnant women in the public system. Currently, Calmbirth is only available privately in the region at a cost of $550, which is unaffordable for many new parents. Calmbirth focuses on non-pharmacological and relaxation techniques for pain management during labour and is recognised by the Australian College of Midwives. Calmbirth is known for its evidence-based approach to childbirth education, with proven benefits including reduced medical interventions, decreased use of pain relief and epidurals, lower rates of perinatal anxiety and postnatal depression, and more positive birth experiences. Barwon Health’s initiative to train midwives in Calmbirth aligns with their goals of improving birth outcomes, supporting women during childbirth, and empowering them through the process.

Identifying Gendered Loopholes and Gaps in Victorian Legislation

Organisation: WIRE (Womens Information and Referral Exchange Incorporated) WIRE acting as an Auspice for Gender Equity Victoria
Amount: $7,000

The project aims to conduct an environmental scan of gendered loopholes and gaps in Victorian legislation to advocate for system improvement and policy change. Currently, data on gender representation, such as candidate nominations and elected officials, is insufficient or non-existent. By identifying loopholes in legislation and policies across Victorian portfolios, gaps can be addressed, and solutions proposed and actioned. This in turn can be replicated nationally facilitating the inclusion of data that can be measured, monitored, and ideally managed. This project is viewed as an initial stage to address gendered loopholes in legislation.  The project will start with an engagement stage, collaborating with the gender equality sector to identify existing loopholes in legislation and policies, creating an initial database of gendered gaps. This database will inform a final report and recommendations. The second stage, likely beyond the project’s initial scope, will focus on advocating for actions identified in the initial stage.

You can’t be what you can’t see

Organisation: Tradeswomen Australia Community Foundation
Amount: $7,000

Girls who do not see or engage with female tradies when formulating a vision for their future lack insight into the many valuable employment opportunities in trades. Through our work with schools, training, and employment partners, we aim to educate girls and non-binary young people so they can make informed choices about their education, training, and employment pathway. Our partnerships ensure girls interested in a trade career receive wrap-around support and opportunities. We are seeking funding to reach 4000 girls and non-binary young people in 2025 by attending/presenting at four full day secondary school career expo/events within the Cities of Greater Dandenong, Melbourne, and the Shires of Bendigo and Swan Hill. Our presentations allow students to meet successful female tradies, hear their stories, and engage in hands-on activities with trade tools. After the sessions, we collaborate with partners to offer students further exploration through work experience, industry insights, or pre-apprenticeship training at local TAFE.

Women in Recovery

Organisation: Prison Network Ltd
Amount: $7,600

This program will support the empowerment of women leaving prison who are seeking to recover from addiction and past traumas by creating social inclusion activities. It aims to build a strong, peer-led community of safe, non-judgemental support, which encourages social inclusion and builds a bridge from marginalisation into community connectedness. Fortnightly online sessions will be offered, plus 10 whole day outings to be held monthly for 25-40 women. Outings will include fun, recreational activities without using substances, a dining experience, and chance for women to socially engage. In addition, two ‘retreats’ will be held over a weekend in regional Victoria. The retreats will include recreational activities as well as support group sessions which focus on empowering women to create positive change by building resilience; developing positive peer networks; identifying strengths; and life skills. The outings and retreats will be supervised by a Senior Support Worker and supported by two trained and experienced volunteers. Funding will cover the costs of the activities, transport, accommodation, and food.

Financial Wellbeing for Ageing Women in Victoria

Organisation: WIRE (Womens Information and Referral Exchange)
Amount: $6,500

WIRE will develop a suite of tools to support workshops focused on the financial wellbeing of women aged 50+ in Victoria, utilising WIRE’s renowned Skilled Aware Resourceful Active (SARA) training. This project will share insights from the SARA materials through workshops tailored to enhance financial capability and resilience among older women. It aims to deepen understanding of the specific risks of abuse, especially financial abuse, faced by older women across Victoria. The project will also strengthen service connections by guiding women toward appropriate resources, and it will empower them to plan for a secure financial future by providing access to vital financial information and rights.

Image by Jessica Connell courtesy of the Women’s Circus

Access to Women's Circus Program for Girls

Organisation: Women’s Circus
Amount: $3,600

Our aim is to reduce barriers for disadvantaged girls to participate in physical activities. Specifically, we intend to offer 12 no-cost spots in our workshops for girls aged 6-17 during our February-April 2025 social circus workshop series. By providing these opportunities, we aim to empower young girls, offer positive role models, and promote an active lifestyle. Our circus workshop program is not new – we have been doing this for 30 years. The Women’s Circus programs are designed to be inclusive, non-competitive, and non-judgmental, catering to all skill and ability levels. By offering participation at no cost, we ensure that financial barriers do not prevent girls from engaging in empowering physical activities.

Organisation: Fitted for Work
Amount: $7,400

The program works to help provide all women, regardless of their situation, with skills to confidently take their place in the workforce and begin to build a world they can thrive in. It focuses on helping women pursue a more confident, clear, and connected future through the study of four key modules delivered online. The study for the program can happen at the chosen pace of the participant, and the goal is to support all participants through the program in a way that suits their needs. It helps ensure that women are confident, self-care aware and ready to build strengths and resilience as she enters the workforce. The program focuses on disadvantaged women, including those long-term unemployed or experiencing domestic violence, to empower them with the tools, skills, and confidence needed for employment.

Zero Tolerance for FGM

Organisation: East African Women’s Foundation (EAWF)
Amount: $9,200

We are dedicated to improving the lives of East African women in Australia, focusing on ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), a severe health and equity issue for this community. EAWF is creating the Network to End FGM/C in Australia (NEFA) to drive grassroots efforts and support national action against FGM/C. NEFA will foster cooperation among health professionals, social workers, child protection officers, and affected community members. As a key part of the campaign, there will be a day of action and awareness on or around 6 February 2025, the International Day of Action for Zero Tolerance of FGM/C, celebrating survivors and advocating for change. EAWF aims to host an event on or near 6 February 2025 (probably on Saturday, 8 February) with 320 attendees, including MPs and community leaders, featuring traditional food, keynote speeches, personal stories, and updates on campaign progress. By raising awareness, EAWF seeks to eradicate FGM/C by 2030.

Bush Nursery Pathways

Organisation: Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association
Amount: $4,200

Willum Warrain Aboriginal Gathering Place serves Aboriginal people and families on the Mornington Peninsula, offering cultural programs and events, and providing charitable support. It operates a Bush Nursery specializing in indigenous plants and is the only 100% Aboriginal-run nursery south of Melbourne. We aim to share cultural knowledge about plants from Country and encourage people to plant the plants that have always been here. The nursery currently employs five women, three of whom are Aboriginal. The aim of the grant is to employ two young Aboriginal women (16-18 years old) for three days a week over three weeks in January. Following this, one of the women will be employed for two days a week for 12 months while undertaking a full-time Certificate III in Horticulture at Chisholm TAFE in Frankston. The grant will also cover enrolment costs for the free course. The goal is to offer secure, ongoing full-time employment in the Bush Nursery after training, creating a pathway for skilled Aboriginal horticultural employees at Willum Warrain.

Image by Jacinta Keefe courtesy of Weenthunga Health Network

Yarning Up Strong Lil Sis Retreat

Organisation: Weenthunga Health Network
Amount: $8,200

The Yarning Up Strong Retreat is part of Weenthunga’s Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie (‘hear within’ in Woi Wurrung) Lil Sis Space, created by First Nations young women, for First Nations young women, who are passionately pursuing health, wellbeing, and healing careers. Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie celebrates the strengths of First Nations young women, and is grounded in First Nations health, wellbeing and healing knowledge and practice. The Yarning Up Strong Retreat will bring together 25 First Nations young women in Years 10-12 who have health, wellbeing, and healing career aspirations to facilitate opportunities, experiences and connections that nourish and nurture social and emotional wellbeing, and back young women on their health career journeys.

Image courtesy of Wellsprings

Culturally Informed Solutions

Organisation: Wellsprings for Women
Amount: $7,700

Wellsprings, based in Dandenong, Victoria’s most ethnically diverse area, will host culturally safe conversations with local women from communities where forced marriage occurs. These discussions aim to build a shared understanding of forced marriage as family violence, co-design solutions to address specific risks and barriers, and strengthen service responses. Led by a skilled practitioner, the insights gathered will inform local prevention and education efforts while providing valuable recommendations to national agencies on effective responses to forced marriage.

Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition

Organisation: Strategy Planning Summit
Amount: $9,700

The Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition will use the Grant to fund a strategy weekend for the EPLC executive (volunteer) board in September, to devise a 3-to-5-year strategy. This would also include a plan for a national priority-setting partnership for medical and psycho-social research, using the framework from the one completed in the UK. This would feed into a national miscarriage strategy for Australia. This planning weekend will take place in Melbourne and bring together all board members (including those interstate) in person for the first time and would fund a facilitator and guest speakers.

Tech Skills for Women with Intellectual Disability

Organisation: Wavlink Community House
Amount: $5,900

Wavlink is a Community House that offers creative, social and skills development group activities for people with an intellectual disability. We are one of the few neighbourhood houses providing such a full range of activities for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Our community members are predominantly female and include participants, staff, volunteers, carers, and support workers. This project aims to provide accessible skills development programs for women with mild intellectual disability, and the female community members who support them, by providing subsidised access to tuition and IT devices.