The Mallacoota Wilderness Collective Inc

The Mallacoota Wilderness Collective is a community-led social enterprise based in one of Victoria’s most remote communities. Through a community hub, shared workspaces, enterprise support, and locally designed programs, the organisation aims to strengthen economic participation, social connection and local capacity. Its work responds to challenges associated with geographic isolation, limited economic opportunities, and the ongoing impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires.

Building the Momentum: Strengthening Mallacoota’s Thriving Future will enable the organisation to continue operating its community hub, deliver entrepreneurship and skills development initiatives, strengthen leadership and coordination, and undertake evaluation to better understand the impact of its work. The approach also includes sharing learning and practical insights with neighbouring and other remote communities.

Helen Macpherson Smith Trust invests in initiatives that strengthen community capability and foster participation and collaboration. Wilderness Collective’s approach combines community infrastructure, local leadership, and opportunities for economic and social participation within a place-based model, shaped by the priorities and strengths of the local community. The inclusion of evaluation and learning reflects the Trust’s interest in building understanding of effective approaches in remote settings.