Budget 2025–26
Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (09:50): Right across Northcote our incredible local schools, organisations and clubs have been making use of funding opportunities from our Labor government. In local sport, Darebin United secured $5000 for club wellbeing, while the Victorian Roller Derby League and Northcote United Cricket Club picked up grants for more uniforms and gear. We are boosting Thornbury High with $1.27 million to upgrade essential infrastructure, and at Alphington Grammar students will be leading an Indigenous habitat project along Darebin Creek with a $5000 grant. The Yarra Energy Foundation will receive $150,000 to continue driving climate action across the inner north. Meanwhile, 11 brilliant local artists will receive $5000 each through our Uncovering Talent program, and seven creative projects will share over $140,000 to bring bold new ideas to life. We have also seen a major boost to our music scene with 24 Moons, Cactus Room, Piano on High and Wesley Anne receiving a combined $88,000 to deliver even more live gigs. The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association will receive $180,000 for their powerful senior football and netball carnival and to support a workforce development program. The Irish Australian bureau in Northcote picked up $5000 to keep their cultural programming going strong. Twenty-four local seniors clubs are being supported through the multicultural seniors support program, and we just unveiled wonderful upgrades at McDonell Park in Northcote. From sports fields to schoolyards, seniors halls to stages, local creeks to climate action, we are working together for Northcote’s future.