SparkTank 2025 delivers another $50,000
Community Bank Buninyong’s innovative SparkTank event was showcased at the Buninyong Town Hall on Monday 4 August 2025. It was a celebration of community and the sharing of $50,000.
View the funding allocations, photo gallery and event video below.
Project: Accessible Arts Venue
To provide affordable rehearsal and performance space by upgrading the former Uniting Church in Ballarat. Leasing an ablution block will ensure access to basic facilities while funds are raised to secure the site.
IMPACT: Access to community arts
Ballarat Performing
Arts Community
FUNDED $10,000
Project: Roll On, Skate-A-Thon
To run a public fun skate and members-only Skate-A-Thon to raise funds for new gear and promote the league. Funds will support future community skating events and help grow this energetic, all-ages sport in Ballarat.
IMPACT: Gear up, grow local sport
Ballarat Roller
Derby League
FUNDED $2,000
Project: Healing on the Move
To purchase a portable X-ray machine to treat injured native wildlife impacted by fires, drought and road trauma. This vital equipment will support faster diagnosis, care and release back into the wild.
IMPACT: Faster care for wildlife
Ballarat Wildlife
Hospital
FUNDED $10,000
Project: A Higher Jump for All
To purchase a larger, safer high jump mat and trolley, inspired by Olympic athlete Yual Reath. This upgrade will boost skills, safety and confidence, encouraging more kids to give high jump a go.
IMPACT: Safer, inclusive sport
Buninyong Little
Athletics
FUNDED $8,000
Project: Hoses into the Hills
To purchase a hoselay backpack that lets firefighters carry 125m of hose into steep bush terrain.
This vital gear boosts safety and response during challenging bushfire conditions.
IMPACT: Quicker response in terrain
Buninyong – Mount Helen Fire Brigade
FUNDED $3,000
Project: Art Space with Heart
To revamp the arts and event space at Barkly Square with lighting, shelving, and display upgrades. This Stage 1 project will support diverse voices, cultural expression, and affordable access for community groups.
IMPACT: Inclusive, affordable space
Central Highlands Group Training (Barkly Square)
FUNDED $5,000
Project: Growing Futures Together
To launch Australia’s first intercultural seed-raising house, growing 5,000+ culturally relevant seedlings yearly. This Ballarat-based project tackles food insecurity and builds lasting community through shared growing, learning and connection.
IMPACT: Culturally connected food access
Food Is
Free Inc.
FUNDED $6,000
Project: Sound Investment in the Arts
To buy key music equipment like a stage piano and amps for the Eisteddfod’s choral and instrumental programs. This will cut hire costs, boost quality, and support access for more regional and low-SES schools.
IMPACT: Sustainable music education
Royal South
Street Society
FUNDED $4,000
Project: Then & Now Education Pilot
To co-create and test a new immersive program for teens, linking 1850s history with modern issues. Students explore themes like equity, environment and identity through a costumed, character-led experience.
IMPACT: History for today’s teens
Sovereign Hill
Museums Association
FUNDED $2,000
What is
SparkTank?
This all-of-community event will see selected community groups pitch for their share of up to $50,000* of community investment funding on the one night after months of application preparation and selection processes taking place.
SparkTank will be held on Monday 4 August 2025 and promises to be a fun event, bringing community groups together for a night of entertainment, encouragement and cheering on volunteer organisations.
We're looking for the community to come along on the night and support the groups whether they are a part of them or not.
It’s going to be quite a thrill to distribute $50,000 and the more energy and excitement in the room the better.
We’ll also be joined by a panel of community representative ‘Sparks’ who will be judging and awarding funds on the night.
LEARN MORE AT OUR INFORMATION NIGHT
Come to our Information Session on 14 April 2025. We’ll be talking about our community investment program, where funds come from, how to apply and we’ll run a forum for questions. If time permits, we can workshop ideas from participants.
When: Monday 14 April 2025
Time: 7pm
Where: Buninyong Community House (Emery Room)
PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY OCCURRING
This event is being photographed for Community Bank Buninyong. Images may be used publicly or for marketing purposes. By appearing in images or recordings you indicate consent. By attending an event or program of Community Bank Buninyong (Buninyong & District Financial Services Ltd) you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur.
You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree, please do not enter the event premises or notify our photographer or videographer in person.
Grab your
FREE tickets!
Community Bank Buninyong invites the local community to attend and participate in the distribution of these funds.
WHEN: Monday 4 August 2025
WHEN: 6pm
WHERE: Buninyong Town Hall, Learmonth St
COST: FREE
TICKETS: Limited by venue capacity
PLUS ...YOU GET TO EXPERIENCE THE 'FEEL GOOD' FEELING OF GIVING!
On arrival you will be given 2x $10 Community Gold vouchers (aka Buninyong Bucks) which you will allocate to a group or two on the night. Yes, you get to decide who receives your bucks and at the same time, the wonderful feeling of giving!
Any Community Gold received by a pitching community group will be in addition to the Community Investment funding that will be distributed on the night. Community Gold is great for community groups and our local businesses. Everyone wins when our Community Bank hands out Gold! For more information on Community Gold visit communitygrowshere.com.au
AND...THERE'S SUPPER
SparkTank is a FREE event, with a light supper including home-baked treats provided by the Buninyong CWA (note this is supper not dinner 😉)!
Be sure to pop 4 August 2025 in your diary now and be part of something unique in the village.
