What are we up to?
We're being built in the open.
We’re taking practical, community-led steps to bring NNEST to life — and we’re doing it in the open. That means sharing progress as it happens, being clear about how decisions are made and funds are managed, and inviting people who live here to shape what comes next. We’ll keep showing our working, learning from what doesn’t work, and following through on what we say — so the trust we build now becomes something that lasts.
Progress update
Where we are
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Milestone | Status |
Over 18 months of community engagement | ✅ Complete |
Working group formed | ✅ Complete |
Inaugural meeting held & committee elected | ✅ 30 April 2026 |
Model Rules adopted as our constitution | ✅ Complete |
Incorporation paperwork lodged with CAV | 🟡 In progress |
First funding application (CDF Round 3, Stream 2) | 🟡 In preparation |
Letters of support | 🟡 In progress |
Library site (Stage 1) activation | 🔮 Next phase |
First programs delivered | 🔮 Next phase |
Former school site activation | 🌱 Long-term aspiration |
Current business
What we're working on right now
Incorporation. We held our inaugural meeting on Thursday 30 April 2026 and elected our first committee. NNEST adopted the standard Model Rules for Incorporated Associations published by Consumer Affairs Victoria as our constitution. Our incorporation paperwork is now being lodged with CAV.
Funding. We're preparing an application to the Victorian Government's Community Development Fund (CDF) Round 3, Stream 2 — a fund supporting communities responding to the forestry transition.
Letters of support. We're gathering letters from community groups, educators, landcare organisations, service providers and local leaders to strengthen our funding applications.
Site planning. We're working with Baw Baw Shire Council and DEECA on a staged approach. The Noojee Library is our Stage 1 focus. The former Primary School site sits as a long-term aspiration, subject to funding and community appetite.
Our Plans
Next few months: Complete CAV registration. Lodge the CDF application. Launch Expressions of Interest for members and practitioners. Continue gathering letters of support.
Later this year: Begin planning library site activation. Deliver initial programs in temporary or partner venues. Expand partnerships. Activate the Community Design Group.
Medium term: Full activation of the library site. Regional outreach and knowledge-sharing. Seasonal events and community gatherings.
Long term: Pursue activation of the former Primary School site, subject to funding and community appetite.
Community Involvement
Why this stage matters most
The moment before a community hub opens its doors is the moment its character is set.
The people who show up now — as members, as letter-writers, as volunteers, as practitioners, as critical friends — shape what NNEST becomes. Once programs are running, patterns are hard to change. Right now, everything is still shapeable.
If there's something you want NNEST to be, now is the time to help make it that.