The Orbost District Community Recovery and Transition Committee (ODCRTC) was recently presented cheques to go towards delivering more projects around the area.
The ODCRTC members acknowledged and thanked the East Gippsland Community Foundation for their much-needed support.
The committee is grateful and excited to be able to deliver the following two projects:
- People and Wellbeing Program Partnership, $60,000 – auspiced by Orbost Regional Health, which will go towards programming and facility support for the Orbost Neighbourhood House.
- Plan and Prepare in the Orbost District, $41,000 – auspiced by the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce. Support to run fire ready demonstration days across the district followed by a Fire Ready Expo – a family friendly event with speakers, providers, services and agencies.
As a result of the impacts of the Black Summer Bushfires, East Gippsland Shire Council, Bushfire Recovery Victoria and the Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions (DJPR), coordinated the formation of the ODCRTC.
Since then, the committee has been working to ensure that the Orbost district has access to funding to provide support to groups applying for grants, supporting opportunities to come together through events, elevating the focus on preparedness for future events and trying to better understand needs and gaps.
They want to make sure that all community members have a chance to have their voices heard and have created a survey to capture ideas and priorities.

IMAGE: Mayor Cr Mark Reeves, Melissa Healy (Neighbourhood House manager) and Mitch Schwenke, director community services Orbost Regional Health, with the cheque for $60,000 from the East Gippsland Community Founation. (PS)