Make A Difference Dingley Village

18/12/2025

As we wrap up our final day at Make A Difference for 2025, our hearts are absolutely full. This year has been a journey, and we are constantly moved by the incredible spirit of our community.

Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, our final days were a whirlwind of kindness. Because of the donations that have been knocking on our door over the past few weeks, we were able to provide toys, festive food hampers, fresh produce, and essential pantry staples to everyone who visited. It was a joy to see every person leave with their hands full and their spirits lifted.

We want to extend a special thank you to the local champions who went above and beyond to support our mission this year:

Buxton Dingley Village & Keysborough, Community Bank Dingley Village, Safer Storage Systems, CBA Cheltenham, NAB Keysborough, Keysborough Soccer Club, City of Kingston, Lighthouse Christian College

A huge thank you to the many wonderful families and individuals who dropped off food and gifts. The community spirit is truly incredible!

Your contributions are the heartbeat of what we do. Whether you donated a single tin of food or a mountain of toys, you helped ensure that no one in our community has to go without this season.

We will be taking a short break to rest and recharge so we can continue our work in the New Year.

Closing: 18th December

Reopening: 12th January

We recognise that many organisations close over the seasonal break. To ensure our community is supported during this gap, MADDV will open for a special food relief session on Thursday, 8th January from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

To all our volunteers, donors, and friends: thank you for a beautiful 2025. Whatever your traditions may be, we wish you a season filled with peace, warmth, and connection.

With love and gratitude,

The Team at Make A Difference

26/11/2025

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

The global event occurs annually, beginning on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November)
and running until Human Rights Day (10 December).

Everyone has a role in preventing domestic, family and sexual violence.

Gender-based violence is a global crisis, affecting 1 in 3 women worldwide.
Domestic, family and sexual violence can happen to any woman, regardless of the country they are from, religion, sexuality, age, social background or culture.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit
www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services.


Source: World Health Organization

https://1800respect.org.au/promoting-1800respect/16-days-of-activism

26/11/2025

We are so grateful for the wonderful support of Share the Dignity.

Their generous donation of bags to MADDV for vulnerable women in the community will make a huge impact, and provide vital access to essential items that often women in crisis go without.

To find out more about the incredible work that Share the Dignity do, have a look at the link below.☺️🥰

https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/itsinthebag

26/11/2025

Thank you to the generosity of Australia Post, our resident volunteer and green thumb, Giuseppe, was able to work his magic and give our lovely veggie patch a much needed nourished boost!

We are definitely looking forward to the flourish of veggies that will pop up over summer for our volunteers to distribute to those most vulnerable in our community. 🥰

08/10/2025

Support Your Community and you could Win 12 Months Insurance Cover!
Want To Win Insurance? You could be one of 4 BIG WINNERS!
Insurance you can rely on is worth its weight in gold. And when it’s provided through Bendigo Bank, you can be confident it’s insurance worth having.
Take out an eligible home and contents, car, or landlord insurance policy between 4-31 October 2025 and you’ll go into the draw to WIN up to 12 months’ worth of cover*.
Contact Emma Eckhardt Community Engagement Advisor, Community Bank Dingley Village direct on 0456 488 898.

10/07/2025

Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, and for individuals on low incomes or facing sudden hardship, finding solutions for essential needs can be incredibly tough. We want you to know that support is available.

At Make A Difference Dingley Village, our Financial Counsellor, Kate, is here to help. Beyond traditional financial counselling, Kate is also an accredited No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) provider.

What does this mean for you or someone you know?

NILS offers a crucial lifeline for those who might otherwise struggle to access safe and fair credit. It provides 0% interest, no fees, and no charges – ever! – on loans for essential items and services. This can include:

Essential household appliances: like a much-needed fridge or washing machine.

Crucial car repairs or registration: helping you stay mobile for work or appointments.

Medical or dental expenses: addressing urgent health needs.

Technology for education or employment: such as a laptop for study or job searching.

Bond for a new rental property (for specific NILS loans).

NILS is designed to be a responsible and supportive option, allowing you to pay back only what you borrow through affordable repayments tailored to your budget. It's a pathway to avoid high-cost alternatives like payday loans and build greater financial stability.

If you have a healthcare or pension card, or meet certain income thresholds, you may be eligible. Even if you've experienced family violence, NILS can offer a way forward.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at Make A Difference Dingley Village to discuss your options. We're here to help you navigate financial challenges with dignity and find sustainable solutions.

You can also find more information about NILS below -

Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (NILS Administrators): https://goodshep.org.au/services/nils/

Let's work together to empower our community and ensure everyone has access to the support they need.

Borrow up to $2000 for: Household items (fridge, washing machine, furniture + more) Education fees & equipment Computers & laptops (up to $2000 limit) Phone, tablet and all other electronic devices (up to $1000 limit) Car repairs Medical & dental costs Borrow up to $3,000 for: Bond on a new rental p...

10/07/2025

🌿 Calling all green thumbs and generous hearts in Dingley Village! 🌿

At Make A Difference Dingley Village, our garden is more than just a beautiful space – it's a lifeline. Every single fruit, vegetable, and herb grown here goes directly to provide fresh, healthy food for the most vulnerable members of our community. It's all about making a real difference, right here at home.

Our incredible volunteer gardener, Giuseppe, works tirelessly, pouring his heart and soul into nurturing our garden. He's truly a plant whisperer, and we're so lucky to have him! Giuseppe has a bit of a predicament though... he has a brand new garden bed that's looking a little lonely and desperately needs some new friends to fill it! 🌱 Specifically, we're on the hunt for cucumber seeds! 🥒

Giuseppe envisions a future filled with crunchy, delicious cucumbers that will nourish those who need it most, but his dreams can't sprout without your help!

Do you have any spare cucumber seeds lying around? Maybe an extra packet you won't use, or perhaps you're just overflowing with generosity? If so, we'd be incredibly grateful for any donations! Every little seed helps us grow our vibrant community garden and continue our vital work.

Please drop off any seed donations at MADDV or send us a message if you can help! Let's help Giuseppe fill that bed and make some cucumber magic happen for our community!

Thank you for helping our garden (and Giuseppe's dreams, and our community's well-being!) bloom! 💚

🥰

02/07/2025

Winter is well and truly here, and we know that means higher energy bills can add extra pressure to household budgets. But don't despair – our very own Financial Counsellor, Kate, has some fantastic tips and links to help you keep warm without breaking the bank!

From simple hacks around the house to information on government support, there are ways to keep those gas and electricity costs down this winter. Every little bit of savings can make a big difference.

Here are some resources and tips from Kate to help you stay cosy and save some dollars:

Check for Government Energy Bill Relief! The Australian and Victorian governments have programs to help. Many households are eligible for automatic rebates on their electricity bills, and there are specific concessions and grants for those with concession cards or experiencing hardship.

Find out about the Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund here: https://www.energy.gov.au/energy-bill-relief-fund

Explore Victorian government support, including the Energy Assistance Program and Utility Relief Grants, and learn how to use the Victorian Energy Compare website to find a better deal: https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/

Smart Winter Savings Tips!

Draught proofing. Seal those gaps around windows, doors, and even skirting boards. A lot of warmth escapes through small cracks!

Check out guides from Sustainability Victoria for DIY tips.

https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/building-or-renovating/build-for-energy-efficiency/key-principles-of-energy-efficient-design/insulation/draught-proofing

Set your heater between 18-20°C – every degree higher can significantly increase your bill! Only heat the rooms you're using and close doors to unused areas.

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best! Rug up in warm clothes, use blankets, and enjoy hot drinks.

Open curtain and blinds during sunny days to let in natural warmth, and close them tightly at dusk to trap the heat inside. Heavy, well-fitting curtains can make a huge difference.

Shorten showers and consider a water-saving showerhead. Heating water uses a lot of energy!

We understand that navigating these challenges can be tough. If you're struggling with your bills or any financial concerns, remember that our financial counselling services at Make A Difference Dingley Village are free, confidential, and non-judgemental. Please reach out to us – we're here to support you.

Stay warm 🏡❄️

Find and fix draughts to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient

02/07/2025

We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to Chelsea Rotary, Youth Act Rotary, Kiara Mohammed, and City of Kingston Council for their incredible generosity and support!

Marion and Mac, had a wonderful time with the team and Keith Chamberlain. Thank you to the fundraising efforts of Chelsea Rotary, who ran an amazing event, we were presented with several tubs of much-needed supplies, including multiple food hampers, all valued at an incredible $500!🥰

These donations will make a significant difference to our clients, and we are so grateful for your commitment to our community. Your kindness truly helps us continue our mission.

Thank you for being such wonderful partners!

04/06/2025

We're incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from Community Bank Dingley Village! Their dedication to our local area truly makes a difference, and we're so fortunate to have them as a community partner.

It's wonderful to see how Community Bank Dingley Village invests in what matters most to us all. When you choose to bank with them, you're directly helping to support initiatives right here in Dingley Village – it's a true win-win for everyone!

Check out their recent campaign -

Need equipment finance?
Talk to our specialists about Bendigo Bank Equipment Finance for new vehicles, machinery and more for your business.
For more information, pop in to see our team, call us on 03 9551 6111 or visit bendigobank.com.au/equipment
Support our Bank which supports your Club.
CONTACT COMMUNITY BANK DINGLEY VILLAGE TODAY!
(Remember to mention YOUR Club/Organisation)

29/05/2025

At Make A Difference Dingley Village, we understand that life throws financial curveballs. While millions of Australians are struggling, there's a serious shortage of support, with only 1 financial counsellor for every 5,300-8,000 people in need across the country.

That's why we feel so incredibly lucky to have our amazing Financial Counsellor, Kate Smith, as part of our team, right here in Dingley Village! It means our community has direct access to vital, free, and confidential guidance when it's needed most.

Kate helps with everything from understanding bills and debts, advocacy and negotiations, to setting up a budget and connecting you with other helpful services. Her goal is simply to empower you to feel more secure and confident about your finances.

If you're ever worried about money, please remember we're here at Make A Difference Dingley Village. Don't hesitate to reach out for a friendly, supportive conversation with Kate.