Community groups from across the shire came together last week to celebrate the successful outcomes from the Mansfield Social Inclusion Action Group’s (SAIG) 2025 funding opportunity.

On behalf of the Mansfield Shire the mayor Cr Steve Rabie spoke of the group’s dedicated community members and leaders who work together to deliver initiatives that boost social inclusion and connection around Mansfield Shire.

“It is a hard job for that committee who is very invested in social inclusion to come up with who gets the funding,” said Cr Rabie.

“This is a shout-out and acknowledgement from council on how much work you do.”

In this funding round, SAIG received many applications from local community groups, proposing a wide range of initiatives - all designed to bring the community together and encourage diversity, equity, and accessibility.

“I look forward to seeing the impact that the initiatives being awarded funding today will have on our community, and the future opportunities for social inclusion that will arise as the group continues to grow,” said Cr Rabie.

The benefit of such funding was illustrated in an address by one of the 2025 Jamieson Autumn Festival organisers Saskia Van Bever.

Wanting to increase access to the event the festival group reached out to SIAG and was able to secure funds to run artist workshops on the Sunday of the three day festival.

Another positive from the funding was T-shirts for volunteers which made them recognisable throughout the festival activities.

Last weekend a thank-you function was organised to acknowledge the contribution of their volunteers.

The latest SAIG funding round saw 18 recipients presented with certificates at a lunch at the Mansfield Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday 15 October.

The successful groups include outlying areas, children and older people, and a range of activities that provide social connections.