Heritage Grants

Thirteen community projects will share in more than $1.13 million worth of heritage grants across the state.

Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said the grants, which ranged from $8,000 to $200,000, would help preserve and protect heritage significant heritage places and objects.

He said Victoria's Heritage Grants supported local communities to care for and manage the state's heritage. The variety of projects funded by this year's program reflected the diversity and richness of the state's heritage.

Mr Guy visited Warracknabeal to announce a grant for repairs to the Town Hall (pictured).

Other projects include conservation works to the oldest fish hatchery on mainland Australia, repairs to a church organ and conservation works to numerous buildings across the state which would provide new uses or enable them to return to their original use.

Two church buildings, a former Methodist Church in Mildura which celebrates in Centenary this year, and a former Presbytery in Nagambie, will provide community facilities, while the former Benalla Shire building will return to its original use.

Works at Glengarry Mechanics Institute will enable the former community hall to again be fully utilised and museums in a former State School building in Myrtleford and a former railway station at Yarra Junction will be better housed through the grant works. Restoration of a former child migrant cottage will also enable it to tell the stories of its former residents and the laundry/dairy and apple store at the Briars on the Mornington Peninsula will also be restored.

Mr Guy said the grants recognised and supported the enthusiasm and commitment of many dedicated volunteer organisations which worked to preserve and safeguard our shared history.

Funding for heritage place grants totalling $500,000 was provided by the Victorian Property Fund. Consumer Affairs Minister Michael O'Brien said the grants would assist in keeping heritage places in use for community needs.

"Local communities rely on these heritage places as vital centres for local organisations and volunteer activities," he said.

Victoria's heritage grants support the repair and restoration of publicly accessible and important heritage places and objects managed by local government and community not-for-profit organisations and are provided for places in the Victorian Heritage Register or included in a Heritage Overlay.

Details of all heritage grants.