General News
17 December, 2025
Additional drought funding to open
THE Victorian Government has announced additional funding for the Look Over the Farm Gate program as part of its Drought Support Package.
The program will re-open for applications on Monday, February 2, 2026, with events to be held by June 30, 2026.
Updated program guidelines will be released soon – aspiring applicants are asked to review them thoroughly and not submit an application until the next funding round opens.
The Victorian Government established the Look Over the Farm Gate community grants program as part of the 2025 Drought Support Package to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress.
The program is administered by the National Centre for Farmer Health, and the wide variety of events funded includes barbecues and family days, nature journaling, movie screenings, and night golf.
Some other concepts and ideas within the program's scope include skill development workshops, health checks, and guest speaker nights.
The grants program aims to encourage strong, connected communities to build resilience during tough times and to empower local organisations to deliver events and initiatives tailored to their unique needs.
The focus is on activities that support mental wellbeing and bring people together, whether through capacity-building mental health initiatives or other creative ideas, reflecting the diversity of the communities they serve.
Funding conditions include holding valid public liability insurance or being auspiced by an organisation that does.
It will also be expected that a post-event survey be completed and that proof of expenditure be submitted.