Baw Baw Shire Council has welcomed funding from VicHealth through Regional Arts Victoria to benefit the health, connection and wellbeing of regional communities.
The $60,000 grant from Regional Arts Victoria is to work with marginalised communities in Warragul and the wider Baw Baw Shire area, to explore and unpack barriers and future pathways for public spaces to feel more welcoming to these communities – particularly more traditional spaces like theatres and galleries.
The overall purpose of the Welcoming Spaces funding is to tackle racism at a structural level, encourage collaboration and conversation, establish frameworks for culturally safer public spaces, and to create lasting pathways for more participation, employment and leadership for marginalised people; particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, culturally and racially marginalised communities, and young people.
Baw Baw Shire Council is one of four organisations to receive this funding, which will go towards a three-year program of works to develop and deliver a series of creative activities that work towards this goal.
These activities will be planned with and facilitated by Na Djinang Circus, a celebrated Aboriginal Australian circus company also based in Victoria.
Baw Baw Shire’s Welcoming Spaces will include activities during September 2026 led by Na Djinang Circus, centring around a series of circus workshops for young people at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, plus some all-ages yarning circles.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Kate Wilson is excited for the funding and the cultural development it will bring to the Shire.
“Baw Baw Shire has a beautifully diverse community, and this funding will help us to make more spaces feel friendly and welcoming for more members of our community to thrive,” she said.
