Strathfieldsaye & Districts Community Enterprise has funded a wide range of projects since its beginning in 2005.
Over $1,000,000 has been given back to the community so far; for the construction of major infrastructure projects, walking trails, education programs, renewable energy programs, community events and funding for small community organisations.
Axe Creek Protection
This year marks the successful completion of the Axe Creek Protection Project. A three year collaboration led by the Strathfieldsaye & Districts Community Enterprise (SDCE) and proudly funded by Fosterville Gold Mine through their Community Partnership Program.
With $468,000 in funding, the project has brought together Bushco Land Management, the Friends of Strathfieldsaye Streams and Lands (FOSSALs), Longlea & District Landcare Group, local schools, 95+ landholders, and key partners including the City of Greater Bendigo and North Central CMA.
Spanning 30km of waterways along the Axe, Emu, and Sheepwash Creeks, the project has achieved some incredible outcomes:
Over 24,000 native seedlings planted to restore creekside vegetation
Major weed and pest control works — including removal of blackberry infestations covering an area twice the size of the MCG!
Native fish restocking and habitat improvements, helping species like the southern pygmy perch and golden perch return to the creeks
Ongoing collaboration with local schools students from St Francis of the Fields Primary School, Strathfieldsaye Primary School and Eppalock Primary School have all contributed to the planting efforts
Weed removal and revegetation around landmarks like the historic Sugarloaf Bridge, which celebrated its 150th birthday in 2024
The project’s success is thanks to the dedication of our partners, landholders, and community volunteers showing the power of working together to protect and restore our local environment.
Community Grants
Every year the SDCE undergoes grant round for local businesses, community groups and residents to help support local ideas and initiatives to improve out community as well as amenities and opportunities for those within it.
First Aid Courses
Strathfieldsaye & Districts Community Enterprise (SDCE) is proud to share that we recently helped 51 local residents complete their nationally recognised First Aid training at no cost to participants!
The training was delivered by Access Skills Training and has equipped community members with valuable, potentially life-saving skills making our community safer, stronger, and more connected.
Automated External Defibrillators
SDCE have provided twelve community groups within the Strathfieldsaye & Districts region with publicly accessible AEDs to increase survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest within the community.
Every minute matters in a cardiac arrest, and when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles.
The publicly accessible AEDs are available 24/7, 365 days of a year.