Meet our community rewards program partners
Community Services
ASQ Selected Community Projects
If you can't decide, choose ASQ Selected Community Projects. This bucket of funds will support special community projects across the region.
The CWA champions local causes, encourages skill development, and nurtures a network for women. The CWA Central Victoria Group comprises nine branches: Castlemaine, Dunolly, Harcourt, Havilah Night, Heathcote, Newstead, Newbridge, Maryborough, and Sutton Grange.
The Maldon Neighbourhood Centre offers a child-friendly outdoor space, a meeting area, a classroom and a community garden accessible to all. It acts as a drop-in centre with comfortable couches, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. The centre offers various programs, courses, and community activities.
The Maryborough Community House in Victoria (pictured above) aims to enhance social connections, support local initiatives, and provide a welcoming space for residents to engage, learn, and grow. It caters to all ages and interests by providing various programs, workshops, and events, spanning arts, crafts, fitness and educational courses.
Animal Welfare
Bendigo Animal Welfare & Community Services
Bendigo Animal Welfare & Community Services (BAWCS) provides shelter, veterinary care, and rehoming services for animals in need. BAWCS also operates the Community Pets Support Program, offering essential assistance to pet owners experiencing financial hardship.
Mount Alexander Animal Welfare Inc
Mount Alexander Animal Welfare Inc (MAAW) is a non-profit organization based in Castlemaine dedicated to animal welfare. Founded in response to the closure of the Castlemaine Animal Shelter by the RSPCA, MAAW focuses on rehoming rescue pets, rehabilitation, and promoting responsible pet ownership. MAAW has assisted over 2350 animals, finding homes for more than 950 and reuniting over 1400 with their owners.
Children and Family
Campbells Creek Primary School
Campbells Creek Primary School, including Guildford Campus, combines modern classrooms with a 150+ year-old historic building. The school features an inclusive garden for hands-on exploration. ASQ Garden & Landscape has developed a strong relationship with the school, collaborating on projects to enhance outdoor spaces and promote environmental education.
EPIC (Employment Preparation and Inclusion in the Community) empowers individuals with disabilities by tailoring programs to their strengths and interests. The programs encompass work experience, travel training, and life skills, covering everything from teamwork to managing money and using public transport.
Harcourt Valley Primary School
Harcourt Valley Primary School has a rural, family atmosphere that fosters student well-being and community belonging. Sustainability is a priority, seen in practices like using runoff water for garden beds and promoting waste reduction. This encourages healthier food choices and community involvement. ASQ Garden & Landscape partnered with Harcourt Valley PS for Plant it Forward, matching trees donated in June and July with an additional tree. Students will plant these trees on Schools Tree Planting Day, Friday, 26 July 2024.
Kalianna was founded in 1963 and offers specialized education for students aged 5 to 18. Serving various regions, including Mt Alexander, Loddon, and Greater Bendigo, the school provides a tailored curriculum based on the Victorian Curriculum, including the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) for seniors, with a student-centred approach promoting unity and inspiration. Principal Peter Bush leads Kalianna School's mission to prepare students for lifelong learning and active citizenship.
Passions & Pathways connects schools and businesses to raise student career aspirations and is proudly supported by the City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Government. Over 60 businesses generously gave their time to be involved in P&P in 2024, partnering with ten schools to deliver high-impact careers education to over 500 primary school students.
Sunshine Bendigo offers practical support to families with babies and young children during challenging times. They collect, sort, and redistribute essential baby goods to families in need, ensuring items meet Australian Safety Standards. In 2022/2023, they distributed $553,743 worth of goods, benefiting 1,633 children. All donations received are used to purchase shortfall and emergency items such as cots, toiletries and bedding.
Emergency and Safety
Goldfields Fire Brigade Group
The Goldfields Group of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) comprises dedicated firefighters serving communities across the region. Comprised of the Bealiba, Bowenvale, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Maryborough, Moolort, Mount Cameron, Natte Yallock, Talbot and Wareek Fire brigades. The group supports local communities through fire prevention, preparedness, and swift response to emergencies.
Mount Alexander Fire Brigade Group
The Mount Alexander Group of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) encompasses Castlemaine, Campbells Creek, Chewton, Elphinstone, Harcourt, Langley-Barfold, Metcalfe, Sutton Grange-Myrtle Creek, and Taradale Fire brigades. The group operates a Local Command Facility (LCF) from the Castlemaine Fire Station.
The Fortuna Group was established in 2005 and includes the brigades of the Greater City of Bendigo, including Bendigo (integrated brigade), District 2, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Huntly, Kangaroo Flat, Lockwood, Maiden Gully, Marong, Oscar 1 and Strathfieldsaye. Funds received are distributed evenly among the brigades to support equipment purchases.
Health & Wellbeing
Bendigo Health provides regional healthcare, managing over 49,000 inpatient cases, 52,000 emergency attendances, and 1,400 births annually. The Bendigo Health Foundation supports these services by fundraising for non-government budgeted expenses, focusing on specialized medical equipment, new services, and essentials that improve patient comfort and care. The foundation does not cover government-budgeted items or operational costs. ASQ Garden & Landscape's $9,560 donation to the Bendigo Health Foundation in October 2023 helped fund a new paediatric rehabilitation play space.
Dhelkaya Health brings together Castlemaine Health, Maldon Hospital, and CHIRP Community Health to provide comprehensive health and wellbeing services across Mount Alexander Shire and surrounding areas. Dhelkaya Health provides a wide range of services, including medical, surgical, NDIS, allied health, and aged care. Previous donations have been used to improve landscaping and outdoor spaces in its residential aged care facilities.
Maryborough District Health Oncology Services
Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) Oncology Services offers cancer care services close to home, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care. MDHS is proud to partner with Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC), allowing patients to see an oncologist locally and plan a course of treatment. This partnership ensures access to experts while minimizing travel burdens.
Mt Alexander Shire Accommodation and Respite Group
Mt Alexander Shire Accommodation and Respite Group (MASARG) provides a purpose built respite house (pictured above) as short term accommodation for people with disabilities within our community while their families take a break. MASARG continues to fundraise and advocate for people with disabilities to find a permanent and secure home to live in.
Riding for the Disabled Association Bendigo
Riding for the Disabled Association Bendigo (RDA) provides horse riding activities to people with disabilities so they can experience enjoyment, personal enrichment and a sense of achievement. Volunteers and trained instructors ensure a safe, supportive environment where participants can develop new skills.
Garden and Environment
Maryborough & District Garden Club
The Maryborough & District Garden Club is a vibrant group dedicated to fostering a love and appreciation of gardening within the community. Notably, the club has made significant contributions to the local community by funding and creating a native plant garden at the Maryborough Railway Station and a sensory garden at the Tilly Aston Memorial in Carisbrook.