Ballarat Women's Fund Members Back Left Write Hook at Pick Our Project 

The power of collective giving was once again on display as Ballarat Women's Fund members came together for the annual Pick Our Project event.

More than just a grant round, the evening celebrated a growing community of local women and supporters who are committed to improving the lives of women and girls across Ballarat. Together, Ballarat Women's Fund members have supported innovative local projects, strengthened community organisations and created opportunities that continue to make a lasting difference.

Guests began the evening by hearing from  Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, who shared the impact of Project Sitara, the 2025 Ballarat Women's Fund recipient. The project has demonstrated how collective giving has empowered Hindi-speaking women through community leadership and created lasting benefits for local families.

Members then heard presentations from this year's shortlisted organisations, each addressing important issues affecting women in our community.

Following the presentations and donor vote, Left Write Hook was awarded the Ballarat Women's Fund's major grant of $30,000 for Reclaim, Rewrite, Release: A Ballarat Prevention Pilot. The eight-week trauma-informed program, delivered in partnership with CASA Ballarat, combines creative writing, non-contact boxing, peer connection and clinical psychological support to help young women aged 16 to 24 rebuild confidence, strengthen resilience and develop leadership skills.  

Congratulations also to Grounded Community Land Trust Advocacy Inc., whose project, Ballarat Community Equity CLT Accelerator, received the Ballarat Women's Fund runner-up grant of $5,000. The project will help women and gender diverse people develop the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills to shape community-led housing solutions and improve housing affordability in Ballarat.  

The Ballarat Women's Fund continues to demonstrate what is possible when people come together with a shared purpose. Every member strengthens the Fund, increasing its ability to support local organisations tackling the issues that matter most to women and girls in our community.

Thank you to every Ballarat Women's Fund member whose generosity made this year's event possible. Together, you are creating opportunities, inspiring innovation and helping build a stronger, more equitable Ballarat.

If you'd like to be part of the Ballarat Women's Fund, we'd love to welcome you. By joining this growing network of local donors, you'll help create lasting change for women and girls across our region.