The Our Street Noble Park (NPK) Grant Scheme offered individuals and organisations the opportunity to apply for one-off grants to support the delivery of projects, programs, events, and initiatives that benefited the community by activating public spaces in Noble Park.
The program sought to activate three key public spaces within the activity centre of Noble Park through unique events, innovative public art or installations, interactive games, performances, immersive experiences, festivals, markets, or other project activities that activated public space in the following locations:
- Copas Park
- Frank Street Open Space
- Noble Park Station Civic Space
The grants program was a two-tier funding stream:
- $5,000 for individuals applicants
- $10,000 for organisations and community groups
As well as funding activations, Greater Dandenong City Council can support with the event application process, permits, project management tools and other related processes to help deliver these programs.
Read the Our Street Noble Park (NPK) Grant Guidelines - 2MB
Program Purpose
Council was committed to activating public spaces in Noble Park to support local communities and businesses to improve connections to these spaces, promote use, activate local areas, and increase community ownership of public space. The Program enabled Council to partner with communities to encourage and support the trial of new ideas and initiatives that: Contributed to Council’s vision and strategic priorities, specifically the Noble Park Revitalisation:
- Activated, created awareness, and increased sense of pride in public spaces in Noble Park
- Contributed to the improvement of community safety, health, and wellbeing
- Had sustainable and ongoing activation outcomes for the local community
This was made possible with the support of the Noble Park Revitalisation Project and funding from the Victorian Government.
Projects funded through this program:
Come and Try Roller Skating - Princess on Skates
- Skating demonstrations and lessons. Experienced skate instructors were at Frank Street Open Space to guide participants through the basics, making sure they felt confident on wheels. Demonstration from the talented coaches was inspirational!
These Seniors Can! – Seniors Line Dance and Tai Chi
- The Tai Chi and Line Dancing sessions encouraged senior community members to participate in activities regularly with an aim to improve their health and wellbeing and to reduce the sense of isolation and loneliness. Helping the senior community to live a healthy, happy, and active aging life with confidence, joy, and a strong connection to other residents.
Outdoor Music Series – With One Voice – Creativity Australia
- With One Voice (WOV) is a national network of inclusive community choirs that brings together people from all walks of life through the power of music. Our choirs welcome people from all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. We build happier, healthier and more inclusive communities through the With One Voice social cohesion program. WOV network of community choirs connect people from all walks of life and aim to reduce the mental health impacts of loneliness through the benefits of group singing.
WOV ran two outdoor music events. Both were musical performances that involved the With One Voice Greater Dandenong choir, in partnership with other local performers. WOV created a lively, vibrant atmosphere to draw people to the space. Local restaurants and/or food trucks were also invited to provide food, encouraging attendees to stay longer and support their local businesses.
Noble Brew Coffee Trailer Initiative - Noble Park Community Centre
- The Coffee Trailer Initiative will establish and implement a social enterprise that supports the local community by providing employment opportunities and promoting local talent. This initiative will operate a mobile coffee trailer, staffed by local unemployed residents trained as barristers, selling locally made pastries by a local pastry chef. The coffee trailer will serve coffee at various strategic locations within the Noble Park Activity Centre, including the station, Copas Park, and Frank Street Open Space. This social enterprise will provide training and employment opportunities for local youth and individuals facing barriers to employment. The initiative will also reinvest profits back into Noble Park Community Centre community programs, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. The coffee trailer will create a vibrant social hub wherever it travels, while promoting local engagement and economic development.
Colours of Noble Park - Sufi Festival Inc
- "Colors of Noble Park: A Celebration of Ethnic Heritage" was a vibrant multicultural event. This event celebrated the diverse ethnicities residing in the Greater Dandenong area, including Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Turkish, and Australian communities. Held on 15th November 2024, the festival featured performances by artists from each ethnic group, fostering cultural exchange and community cohesion.
Many community members participated, the event ran for a full day, with multiple sessions showcasing music, dance, and traditional arts. This celebration enhanced community pride, promoted inclusivity, and provided a platform for cultural expression, making Noble Park a hub of cultural vibrancy.
Summer Spice Bollywood Festival – Kalyan Industry
- The Bollywood festival aimed at supporting local communities and businesses, while creating awareness and increasing a sense of pride in Indian culture and was a great success. There were performances by traditional and Bollywood dancers, along with live Bollywood music. Stalls offered Indian cuisine, traditional activities like henna, face painting, and other kids' activities. The event, which was held in summer, was free and open to the local community and beyond.
Vibrant Hearts – Revitalising Public Spaces through Art and Play – SalamFest
- SalamFest activated Copas Park with the Rumi Mobile installation, a unique art project featuring a car hand-painted by Indigenous and Muslim artists. This installation was designed to celebrate and educate the community about the historical interactions between Indigenous Australians and Muslim fishermen from Makassar, now Indonesia. Contrary to the misconception that Indigenous Australians had no external contact before European settlement, this car carried the symbols and signs of 70 diverse Muslim ethnicities.
The project included educational talks and panel discussions that delved into this rich history, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of these historical connections. Additionally, a colourful face paint and henna art stall engaged local residents, particularly families and children, providing a vibrant and interactive experience. The project aimed to enhance public awareness, engage the community, and activate Copas Park as a dynamic cultural hub.
Community Painting – Garage 35
- Artists from Garage 35 Art Studio in Noble Park will host community painting sessions at Noble Park Station Civic Space. These sessions, held on both a weekend and a weekday, will result in 3–5 large collaborative paintings. Passersby, including children and adults, will be able to contribute to the canvases prepared on-site. Children 12 and under will use paint markers to minimize mess, with at least one canvas positioned for easier access. Prompts related to Noble Park will guide contributions, and Garage 35 artists will add final touches to ensure cohesiveness and quality.
The process will be documented through photos, preserving the works even if altered. The completed works will be digitally displayed at Copas Park’s lightboxes and showcased at Garage 35 Art Gallery during a celebratory launch with food and drinks.
