Fourteen towns are getting a share of $18,000 from Moira Shire Council as part of its Festive Funding program.
Activities to benefit include community parties and barbecues, Carols by Candlelight events, Christmas lunches and decorations to light up the towns.
“Christmas is about community spirit, and our clubs, committees and volunteer groups turn that spirit into real events,” Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson said.
“From our largest towns to our smallest communities, the Festive Funding program makes it possible for volunteers and community groups to put on the carols, markets and celebrations that make Christmas so special across Moira Shire.”
Council said it would roll out its own annual decorations in early December, including trees, reindeer and koalas in Cobram, Yarrawonga, Nathalia and Numurkah; giant wreaths in Yarrawonga and Cobram; and big nutcrackers in Yarrawonga.
Here are the community groups and festive activities receiving funding in 2026:
- Lions Club of Tungamah: Carols in the Park, including musicians, face painting, free community barbecue and a visit by Santa (Sunday, December 20).
- Nathalia Barmah Business Tourism: Christmas Market, including live music, face painting and market stalls (Saturday, December 12).
- Katamatite Cricket Club: Christmas Party, including entertainment and a barbecue (Saturday, December 12).
- Picola and District Improvement Group: Christmas decorations to light up the town in December and a community barbecue to be held in January 2027.
- Barmah Social Club: Christmas Party, including live music, games, food and a raffle (Sunday, December 13).
- Numurkah Community Learning Centre: Christmas Eve Luncheon for vulnerable community members, in partnership with Moira Foodshare (Thursday, December 24).
- Yarroweyah Community Group: Christmas Party, including a barbecue and entertainment (Friday, December 11).
- Cobram Barooga Business Tourism: Carols by Candlelight in the Barooga Botanical Gardens (Sunday, December 13).
- St James Silo Art Committee: Christmas Luncheon and town decorations around the silo area (Sunday, December 6).
- Waaia Community: Christmas decorations around the town.
- Yarrawonga Mulwala Business Tourism: Christmas decorations in the town centre.
- Kaarimba Public Hall Committee: Christmas Party and decorations in the hall (Friday, December 18).
- Numurkah Lions Club: Carols by Candlelight in Newman Square (Friday, December 18).
- Lions Club of Cobram: Entertainment at Christmas Market (Friday, December 18).
- Wunghnu & District Voice Inc: Christmas Barbecue (Saturday, December 5).
- Strathmerton Community Steering Committee: Christmas Party and decorations (Saturday, December 12).