$12,000 in Scholarships Awarded to Local Students for 2025

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At our recent 25th Birthday Community Celebration on 21 February, we were thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Geoff Vickers Youth Scholarships, supporting first-year university or TAFE students from the Upper Yarra.

An initiative of UYCE Ltd, this annual scholarship program is proudly funded by Community Bank Warburton and Yarra Junction and has been running since 2014. Over the past decade, the program has provided more than $48,000 in financial support to 31 local students pursuing further education.

For 2025, we are delighted to award $12,000 across four deserving students, helping them take their next big step in their academic journeys.

Congratulations to:

Jacinta Tait – from McMahons Creek and a graduate of Upper Yarra Secondary College
Awarded a $2,000 scholarship to study a Bachelor of Natural & Physical Sciences at Monash University.

Jerikai Jones – from Millgrove and a graduate of Upper Yarra Secondary College
Awarded a $5,000 scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Creative Arts at Deakin University.

Pearl Saurine – from Yarra Junction and a graduate of Yarra Hills Secondary College
Awarded a $3,000 scholarship to study Animal & Veterinary Biosciences at Latrobe University.

Jackson Wetherall – from Yarra Junction and a graduate of Upper Yarra Secondary College
Awarded a $2,000 scholarship to undertake a Bachelor of Society & Culture at Monash University.

We wish Jacinta, Jerikai, Pearl, and Jackson every success in their studies. We hope this support brings them one step closer to achieving their academic goals with a little less financial pressure.

Empowering our youth is investing in the future of our community.

Community Bank Warburton & Yarra Junction – Proudly supporting local dreams.

$38,000 in Community Grants Announced for 2025

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As part of our 25th Birthday Community Celebration on 21 February 2025, Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (UYCE) was proud to announce the recipients of our 2024/2025 Community Grants – Round #1.

A total of $37,785 was awarded across 12 inspiring local projects, each selected for their positive impact on our community. These grants reflect UYCE’s ongoing commitment to empowering groups and individuals who are working to build a more resilient, sustainable, and connected Upper Yarra.

Here are the successful grant recipients and their projects:

  • ADRA Community Care Centre Redwood – $3,872
    For new signage to refresh the front entrance of their Warburton premises.
  • Edible Garden Warburton – Community Garden – $6,782
    For a Garden Shed to support their community gardening efforts.
    Reefton Volunteer Fire Brigade – $1,000
    To replace damaged trestle tables used during local events.
  • Upper Yarra SES – $3,700
    To improve their IT infrastructure and operational capacity.
  • Warburton Millgrove Football Netball Club – $5,000
    For the installation of an electronic scoreboard for the netball team.
  • Warburton Tennis Club – $1,000
    To deliver tennis sessions to local primary schools through their outreach program.
  • Warburton Valley CEDA – $1,000
    To host quarterly business forums for local member businesses.
  • Warburton Volunteer Fire Brigade – $2,725
    For computer and network upgrades at the main station.
  • Yarra Junction Bowling Club – $2,500
    To upgrade furniture in their clubroom.
  • Yarra Junction Community Group – $5,000
    For a new public art installation in Yarra Junction.
  • Yarra Ranges Film Society – $2,700
    To support the 40th annual Warburton Film Festival (mark your calendars: 13–15 June 2025!).
  • Yarra Valley ECOSS – $2,500
    For their UpCycles initiative based in Wesburn, encouraging sustainability through creativity.

We congratulate all the recipients and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes these projects will deliver. Thank you for your commitment to making the Upper Yarra a better place to live, work, and thrive.