News

We are absolutely thrilled to share some wonderful news with our Newlands Arm community. The NARRA committee is very pleased to officially announce that we have been successful in our application for the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund.

You may have seen a hint of this exciting development in the recent East Gippsland Shire Newsletter released last Friday. Until now, we were under strict instructions to keep the results confidential pending the official Victorian Government announcement. But the secret is finally out, and we can now tell you all the details!

What Does This Mean for Newlands Arm?

The grant, worth up to $50,000, has been awarded specifically to install a Permanent Outdoor Toilet at the Newlands Arm Community Centre.

This project is a significant step forward for our community. Having permanent, accessible facilities will greatly enhance the Community Centre’s usability for events, sports, and daily gatherings, ensuring that residents and visitors alike can enjoy our space comfortably.

Next Steps

At this time, we have not yet received the formal Grant Agreement. We are eagerly awaiting the paperwork so we can begin the process to build the project as soon as possible. We will keep the community updated on our progress as we move through the construction timeline.

Thank You

NARRA extends its deepest gratitude to the Department of Regional Development and the Victorian Government for this generous Grant. This funding recognizes the importance of our tiny town and supports our vision to build a stronger, more connected community.

We also want to thank our local residents and supporters who continue to champion the growth of Newlands Arm.

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About the Tiny Towns Fund

Right across rural and regional Victoria, our tiny towns are great places to live and visit. The Tiny Towns Fund supports local communities to deliver quality tourism and community facility projects, such as splash parks, bike trails, playgrounds, community hall and library upgrades, public art, and more.

For more information, visit: https://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants/tiny-towns-fund and search “Newlands Arm.”

In September 2025 NARRA applied to the Paynesville Bendigo Bank Community Bank for a grant to install a Netball/basketball half court. We have again been successful with $16,500 awarded to supply approx half of the cost for this sporting facility. NARRA has allocated $15,000 to complete this project.

There is a celebration meeting on Monday 17th at the Gippsland Lake Yacht Club to present us with our Grant. You will see the Bendigo Community bank advertising displayed at the Hall and on signage. Please support the Bendigo Bank in Paynesville.

Other Grants applied for include the East Gippsland Shire council Impact Grants. We have applied for support to convert our toilet complex into a secure indoor / outdoor public toilet system. This will support our families and kids who come to the hall to partake of the sporting facilities and playground.

The second East Gippsland Shire council Impact Grants request is for WiFi internet at the hall, for continuous information and communication during a crisis and the ability to hold events with streaming and Zoom type forums at the Hall. Bringing us into the internet age.

We also have applied to the Paynesville Opportunity Shop for a Grant to continue the development of sporting facilities at the hall.

Overall, NARRA has decided to be proactive and generate income so that we can assist the community, one priority has been kids’ health and fitness. We are welcome to talk to anyone regarding ideas to enhance our community.

Thank you to all who have taken part and who support our efforts.