About the Fund
The Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund was established in response to the 2019/2020 bushfires which devastated our region.
Along with the Community Enterprise Foundation (covering the Alpine LGA) and the East Gippsland Community Foundation (covering East Gippsland), Border Trust has partnered with the Victorian Bushfire Appeal to support the Towong Shire.
As trustee of the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund, Border Trust will distribute $2,850,945 through grant programs to support long term recovery initiatives.
We thank the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and the generosity of public donors for enabling this place-based distribution and look forward to investing in significant community identified priorities.
Our Victorian Government Agreement requires public access to the movement in the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund.
- Savings Account – Details Here
- Term Deposit – Details Here
- Financial Statements – Audit Opinion – Details Here
Towong Community Bushfire Relief Program – Grant Recipients
Recipients Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund Round 7b
Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund Round 7a Recipients
Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund Community Consultation
UMIF – Playles Hill Labyrinth Corryong
Dartmouth Progress Association – Community Garden + Fire Safety
Recipients Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund Round 6
Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund Grant Recipients Round 5
Recipients Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund Round 4
Recipients Towong Community Bushfire Relief Fund – Round 3
Recipients Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund – Round 2
Recipients Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund – Round 1
Prefer to hear these stories directly from the people behind them?
Explore our Towong video series on YouTube to see and hear from local recipients about the lasting impact of bushfire recovery funding across their communities.
Visit our YouTube Towong Recipient channel: HERE
Grant Recipients
- Round 1: Feb 2022 – 7 Grants totalling $316,880 – Details Here
- Round 2: May 2022 – 7 Grants totalling $347,818 – Details Here
- Round 3 Sept 2022 – 6 Grants totalling $272,213 – Details Here
- Round 4: March 2023 – 11 Grants totalling $373,400 – Details Here
- Round 5: July 2023 – 8 Grants totalling $222,790 – Details Here
- Round 6: Feb 2024 – 10 Grants totalling $393,806 – Details Here
- Round 7a: Feb 2025 – 5 Grants totalling $261,030 – Details Here
- Round 7b: May 2025 – 10 Grants totalling $345,551 – Details Here
Community Consultation
The purpose of this consultation was to check in with the Towong community to identify emerging needs and local priorities. By engaging directly with residents, leaders, and community groups, Border Trust will ensure that future grants address both immediate recovery challenges and longer- term opportunities.
Media Release available HERE
Read the full document HERE
“It’s reassuring to know Border Trust is listening to the community. This consultation shows they’re committed to managing the funds responsibly and ensuring they make a real difference where it’s needed most.”
Grant Program
Update: October 2025.
Border Trust has been working with key stakeholders and the Towong community in relation to final distributions for the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund.
These distributions will be aligned to Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives, as identified through these discussions.
There will be no further open rounds for this fund, however, we encourage you to stay connected to the outcomes of the program and details regarding the final distributions through our website and social media stories.
For further information, please contact the Border Trust office on 0485 858 185