Community groups helping the COVID-19 rebuild have welcomed millions of dollars in central Victorian donations from Fosterville's gold miners.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The projects will tackle everything from homelessness support to help to deal with domestic violence.
The Bendigo Tech School will get a portion of funds to help school girls transform a car into an electric-powered vehicle, while a Rotary Club will get money for Axedale's Camp Getaway upgrades.
Kirkland Lake Gold set aside US$20 million for grants last year as the COVID-19 pandemic raged in Australia and Canada.
The mining company operates in communities in both countries, including at Fosterville's gold mine.
Half of the money - AUS$12 million in total - is going to groups in central Victoria and in the Northern Territory.
It committed funds to five projects in central Victoria so far but has a shortlist of others it is considering, Fosterville mine general manager Ion Hann said.
He had been humbled by Bendigo's community spirit.
"Not every place in the world has that," Mr Hann said.
"The great thing for us is that there are lot of really generous people in Bendigo who donate their time and efforts, so our job is really easy."
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
