Ballarat Social Inclusion Action Group

Helping to make our community a more connected and welcoming place.

About the group:

Ballarat's Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) is being developed to promote community belonging. With the goal of ensuring that everyone feels valued, respected, and are able to participate fully in community life regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. More information on this group can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions and Terms of Reference in the sidebar.

SIAG members will be supported to:

Identify gaps in services or support in Ballarat

Make decisions about funding programs and initiatives that bring people together

Share ideas and help shape a more inclusive community

Sign up to our mailing list to stay informed about the Ballarat Social Inclusion Action Group.

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Expression of Interest Open

Applications open 9am Monday 4 August
Timeline item 2 - complete

Community Drop In Sessions
Timeline item 3 - complete

Expression of Interest Closed

Applications close 5pm Monday 25 August
Timeline item 4 - complete

Applicant Shortlisting

Some applicants will be contacted for a relaxed in person or online interview throughout September or early October.
Timeline item 5 - active

All applicants receive notice

Successful SIAG members notified and provide information on next steps.
Unsuccessful applicants notified and provided with further options to stay connected.
Timeline item 6 - incomplete

First SIAG Workshop

Document Library

Contact Us

Have questions or want support to complete your application? Please contact us below:

Contact Information
Name	Ned or Marisa
Phone	5320 5500
Email	SIAG@ballarat.vic.gov.au

The National Relay Service is available as a phone solution for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.

TTY users phone 133 677
Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727
Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website

If you need an interpreter, call 131 450 or visit the Translating and Interpreting Service website for more information.

Frequently asked questions

SIAGs have been developed to promote inclusion within the Ballarat community with the goal of ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, feels valued, respected, and are able to participate fully in the community.

Members will be supported to:

Identify gaps in services or support in Ballarat

Make decisions about funding programs and initiatives that bring people together

Share ideas and help shape a more inclusive community

SIAG members who are a part of a local business, community organisation or association must not represent the business, community organisation or association during SIAG meetings unless asked to do so. Representatives of local organisations will be invited to meetings by request of the SIAG.

Support will be provided to anyone requiring assistance to apply for and participate in the group. This may include:

Having a support worker or support person attend meetings with you;
Wheelchair/pram/ramp access to meeting spaces;
Assisted listening devices;
Visual aids;
Assistance with transport;
Assistance with childcare;
Having an interpreter attend meetings with you;
Having an assistance animal attend meetings with you; or
Attending meetings in an online capacity.

Meetings will be held in buildings that feature accessible entry, close to public transport, accessible toilets and accessible parking/drop off zone.

All documents will be provided to members in accessible formats and members will have the option to discuss documents with City of Ballarat staff before meetings.

Successful applicants will be invited to discuss any further adjustments they require to be able to fully and meaningfully participate in each meeting.

Yes, you can bring them along, however, as they are not an approved member of the SIAG, they can support you but cannot take an active part in the meetings.

Yes, members will be paid $35 per hour for every meeting attended. This will be discussed with successful applicants.

The meetings will be run by SIAG members supported by City of Ballarat staff.

The SIAG will discuss issues facing members of the Ballarat community specifically regarding impacts of mental ill-health, social exclusion, and loneliness. Members will then be responsible for identifying and reporting back to the SIAG on current programs or events addressing these issues that may require funding or gaps in community programs that could be positively impacted by a SIAG funded event or program.

SIAG members will be responsible for developing and implementing a funding strategy for Ballarat’s Local Social Inclusion Investment Fund. This includes development of funding guidelines, funding decision matrix, and participation in funding assessment panels.

You will be supported by two City of Ballarat team members, who you will be able to contact at any time to privately discuss any questions or concerns.

City of Ballarat will provide a comprehensive onboarding process to all SIAG members and will provide ongoing support to members to build skills throughout their tenure with the group.

As recommended by the Royal Commission, Social Inclusion Action Groups will receive ongoing funding from the Victorian State Government.

Funding includes staff in each Local Government Area, payment for group members and a Local Social Inclusion Investment Fund in each Local Government Area. The Local Social Inclusion Investment Fund will support social inclusion and connection initiatives across two funding streams: 

General: 80 per cent of the Local Social Inclusion Investment Fund 

First Nations: 20 per cent of the Local Social Inclusion Investment Fund (decisions about the Aboriginal initiative funding will be made by the Aboriginal community).

Contact Information
Phone	5320 5500
Email	info@ballarat.vic.gov.au
Website	www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
In writing	The Phoenix 25 Armstrong Street South Ballarat, Vic, Australia

5320 5500

info@ballarat.vic.gov.au

www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

The Phoenix
25 Armstrong Street South
Ballarat, Vic, Australia

Ballarat Social Inclusion Action Group

Helping to make our community a more connected and welcoming place.

Ready to have your say?

Contact Us

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