About the program
Knox is a safe place to live, work and visit. However, together we can further improve safety for everyone.
The Knox Empowering Communities program provided funding to support our local community to design and lead projects that:
- address the causes of crime
- improve perceptions of safety
The program provided eligible community groups and organisations with funding to deliver projects that focus on connecting people to enhance community safety in Ferntree Gully.
This program was funded by the Victorian Government’s Building Safer Communities program.
Community-led projects
Community groups and organisations were invited to apply for grant funding to deliver projects that focused on connecting people to enhance community safety in Ferntree Gully. The grant application closed in November 2022.
Funded projects
Six projects were approved for funding. Projects were completed in 2024.
| Project | Details | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Foothills Community Care Inc - Ferntree Gully Community Safety Outreach Project | Engaged members of Ferntree Gully community and facilitated stronger relationships of trust and understanding, improving safety, inclusion and belonging through a community outreach model. It addressed disadvantage and isolation of vulnerable communities, and facilitated connections with local traders, community services organisations, and local law enforcement. A key achievement of the project was its ability to reach more than 200 vulnerable residents through direct outreach efforts and regular community activities. This engagement led to tangible improvements in residents’ wellbeing, with many gaining access to healthcare, housing and mental health support services for the first time. Activities included an RUOK Day community event. | $207,355 |
| Mountain District Learning Centre - Youth Empowerment for Success (YES) | Provided a range of activities and experiences for 82 young people to support their social, emotional, and educational development. It extended and enhanced support, focused connection to services and peers beyond the normal program to a project out of hours and across school holidays. The project outcomes increased participant’s potential to succeed, reduced vulnerability, ongoing disengagement and isolation. Students built resilience and the project not only helped participants to address immediate anxieties but also equipped them with tools to succeed in a range of future contexts. | $46,500 |
| Rotary Club of Ferntree Gully Inc - Knox Nocturnals Youth Group | This social inclusion program for young people aged 12-18 included vulnerable, isolated, and at-risk young people. The project combined a range of recreational activities, a Life Skills Workshop, a hot healthy meal, and mini-bus transport. The project involved highly skilled youth workers and Life Skills specialists to connect young people, volunteers, parents and carers, support youth workers and Victoria Police in a safe and inclusive environment. The 66 participants made new connections with others through the program, new friends, and particularly strong correlations in developing positive connections with adults, learnt self-care through the Life-Skills workshops, and felt safe to be themselves without judgement. The life skills workshops directly contributed to resilience and wellbeing amongst young people. | $118,218 |
| Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place - Cultural Connections | Supported connecting the First Nations community, activating the new tenancy at HV Jones Reserve through activities such as youth Deadly Basketball and Mob Yarning Circle providing opportunities for the First Nations community to attend, meet, and connect. Sharing experiences and stories, the sessions strengthened social connections, facilitated access to support services, and improved cultural safety. A highlight was indigenous and non-indigenous 50 young people coming together to take part in a cultural workshop at the Deadly Basketball event. | $20,000 |
| Empowering Communities Action Group 'Ferntree Gully Neighbour Day' | Local neighbourhood gatherings in residential streets brought together neighbours, created belonging and supported building an inclusive community. 97 streets participated with 1,400+ neighbours coming together. Strengthening connection in the FTG community was particularly evident with many streets subsequently establishing a WhatsApp or other group for continued support and intention to meet regularly. Improved safety and a sense of belonging in communities occurs when neighbours are connected and know each other, the project outcomes included neighbours more likely to look out for each other, seek help from or provide support to each other. Participants agreed they felt safer in their own street after participating in a neighbourhood gathering and many agreed the stronger social bonds fostered through these activations had contributed to their sense of security. | $33,500 |
| Coonara Community House 'Safety in numbers in Ferntree Gully Village' | This project ran six monthly markets in Ferntree Gully village in 2024 to draw a wide variety of people into the village and create an atmosphere of vibrancy. Markets included community group interactive activities, local traders and businesses, and event attractions. It successfully supported connections in the community, promoted local groups, and attracted over 6000 community to the village thus increasing the sense of and perceptions of safety. During market operating hours, streets were filled with pedestrians and traders reported their businesses being far busier than at other times. This recurring social engagement fostered a stronger sense of belonging, not only for individual attendees but also for the community. | $39,972 |
Knox Empowering Communities Action Group
The Knox Empowering Communities Action Group was formed with representatives from:
- the Knox community
- local organisations
- professional organisations
- Victoria Police.
The action group worked with Knox City Council and the Department of Justice and Community Safety to provide guidance on the Knox Empowering Communities program.
Need help?
For any enquiries on the completed Knox Empowering Communities program, contact the Community Strengthening team on 9298 8000.
Since the completion of Knox Empowering Communities in September 2024, a new community-led group has formed to build on the positive outcomes achieved. Community members and organisations with an interest in community safety in Knox are welcomed.
For enquiries and more information email Empowering Connected Communities Alliance Inc on [email protected].
