The state government’s Pick My Project initiative has shortlisted 91 projects for this region alone.

The $30 million will be shared across the nine regional partnership regions – which include the Wimmera Southern Mallee – and six metropolitan regions. 

Individual projects are eligible for between $20,000 and $200,000. 

Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN executive officer Tim Shaw said there was a massive need in rural and regional communities for individuals to push their communities forward. 

He said the number of projects shortlisted from this region showed that people cared about their region’s future.

Mr Shaw said the Pick My Project initiative was a chance to attract funding for primary projects that needed to be completed. He said it was essential that everyone took the chance to register their vote.

“There is no point attracting money for projects that are not for the broader community. We are encouraging people to jump on the website and vote for what they want,” he said. 

Mr Shaw said the voting process was simple. 

“People go to the website and register – either through a Facebook account or an email address. From there it will bring up a list of projects that people are allowed to vote on based on their residential address,” he said. 

“The website has a extensive list and people can read through all the information about each project and the benefits they have to the broader community.

“People can then select their three favorite projects and then it will take you through the process of verification, which is a simple step as well.”  

Mr Shaw said people could vote via www.pickmyproject.vic.gov.au

Voting closes on September 16 and the government will announce successful projects in September.

More than 90 projects across the Wimmera and southern Mallee have been shortlisted for the state government’s Pick My Project initiative. 

Among the shortlisted projects include a camp for rural and regional LGBTQI residents at Roses Gap. 

Wimmera Pride Project’s Maddi Ostapiw said the project could provide young people with a chance to thrive and show their true identities. Maddi said the Rainbow Group at headspace were involved in developing the idea.

“They know what they want out of this experience. They suggested workshops that will empower them to be youth leaders and advocates and to help them express their identities,” Maddi said. 

Maddi said Pick My Project was an “incredible” initiative that empowered people to shape the community they wanted to build. 

“Obviously, I am quite realistic about having this particular project for a minority of people in the mix with projects that are more popular … but I believe this is a project that’s really going to do so much for LGBTQI people,” Maddi said. 

A field art project at Edenhope depicting the first Aboriginal cricket team is also among the shortlisted projects. Helen Mulraney-Roll said the project involved a public display, located on the foreshore of Lake Wallace, of the 1868 Aboriginal cricket team.

“They would have their names and story on a plaque, wherever appropriate,” she said. “We thought this would be a drawcard for tourism. I thought this would be a great way to see and read the story.” 

Arapiles Historical Society wants Natimuk to have its own museum. The Natimuk Centre of Local History would be located at the former Natimuk garage. 

Arapiles Historical Society president Peter French said the group purchased the garage three years ago with the intention of transforming it into a museum.

He said the building needed a total refurbishment before it could reopen as a museum.

“We have quite a substantial amount of farm machinery, which will be the core of it. We have lots of household items and horse-drawn equipment and everyday stuff from the past, which are quite dated,” he said.

“It’s vitally important to record the history of the town. More and more people don’t know what some of the items are, for a start. Every year that goes by we lose our old identities, so I think it is vital to preserve it and tell the stories.”

He said Pick My Project was an interesting way for the government to give money to the community. 

“I was a bit hesitant first up by the way they were doing it because it’s a citizens vote – putting it back on the people, which is going to be interesting,” he said. 

“Groups with big bases of supporters are going to do it a lot easier than others.” 

Horsham College and Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN teamed up to create a concept that could provide a solution for many groups and individuals who seek a dedicated space for community activities. The project, called The Hive, plans to use a disused building at Horsham College for a hub of community activity. 

Principal Rob Pyers said the college was looking for ways to strengthen engagement with the community. 

“It takes a village to raise a child and we, as a community, have a responsibility to give them access to mentors, engaging activities and to feel a part of something bigger,” he said. “As the name suggests, The Hive is about promoting inclusion, community values and engagement.” 

A Great Western wine and heritage cycle trail is also among the contenders.

A Great Western Future Committee spokesman said the project planned to take people along a path that highlighted the historic wine village. He said the trail would connect cellar doors and points of historic interest to cafes and shops.