‘Tis the season of good will and spreading cheer so we wanted to share some of the heart-warming stories about the organisations we’ve sponsored this year.
Manager, Communications and Engagement Gemma Abela said Southern Rural Water was proud to get behind communities doing good across southern Victoria.
“We’ve helped 11 organisations in 2025 by sponsoring them or taking part in community events,” she said.
“From helping a country footy club develop a business strategy, buying tools for school kitchen garden program and supporting a regional band play their hearts out, to helping buy rainwater tanks for a rural cricket club and donating towards a state-of-the-art mammogram machine for a regional hospital, our support has allowed them to make a real difference,” she said.
Here, we want to showcase some of the organisations we backed and how their work binds communities together and strengthens their spirit.
Healthcare is a fundamental human right and the foundation for functional and productive communities. It’s why we donated $2,500 to the Hamiliton Base Hospital’s mammogram machine fundraiser.
Community Liaison Officer Erin Penny said the new machine would improve early detection of breast cancer in the south west Victorian region.
“Early detection is critical, and a modern mammogram machine gives women the best chance for successful treatment and recovery,” she said.
“We deeply appreciate Southern Rural Water’s commitment to supporting local communities, and believe this sponsorship is an impactful one,” she said.
We helped Glengarry Primary School buy tools for their kitchen garden because we believe it’s important for kids to know how food grows and how sustainable water use is vital for success.
School council member Amanda Mundy said the program gives students hands-on growing experience and the produce is used in cooking classes and the schools Breakfast Club program.
“Your support directly contributes to empowering students with life skills, environmental awareness, and a deeper connection to their food and community,” she said.
Sport is a powerful and proven medium for improving physical and mental health and building community cohesion through inclusion and shared goals. That’s why we supported the Irrewillipe Western Eagles Footy and Netball Club to develop a business plan that will boost participation and membership.
Committee member Aidan Robertson said they’ve engaged a specialist sporting club business development firm to give them a clear vision and plan to build a thriving local club.
“Club Builder are experts at what they do, and we feel we’ve got the right people to get us to where we want to be. This has only been made possible through the generous donations of our supporters such as Southern Rural Water,” he said.
This year we were gold sponsors of the Serra Terror Southern Grampians Endurance Challenge that raises funds for community initiatives.
The organising committee said they could not run this event without the support they receive in the form of sponsorship from local businesses and government agencies.
“In 2025, the proceeds from the event go towards purchasing a thermal camera for the Mirranatwa Fire Brigade, strengthening local fire protection efforts. We value and thank you for your support,” they said.
Music resonates deeply with our emotions, evokes memories, and can foster a sense of connection and belonging to people and place. It’s for these reasons we supported the Maffra Municipal Band.
Maffra Band President Rob Woodhouse said Southern Rural Water’s generous sponsorship has gone towards purchasing new musical scores for their thriving band.
“Musical arrangements are the lifeblood of any musical group and provide new musical challenges for our musicians, give opportunities to perform for new events, and entertain our audiences,” he said.
“Last year our groups performed to around 20,000 people at over 50 events across Gippsland. From the Maffra Mardi Gras and Anzac Day Parade to aged care centres and the Sale Cup, we were bringing joy to communities across the region,” he said.
Ms Abela encouraged local community groups, charity or not-for-profit organisations in a rural or regional area in southern Victoria, to look at Southern Rural Water’s sponsorship criteria to see if their initiative or project could be eligible to apply for sponsorship.
“Whether it’s community events, sausage-sizzle fundraisers or charitable projects, we are interested to financially support initiatives that bring people together and build community connection.”
More information is available on our sponsorship page.