Community supports Frankston to raise over $220,000 for local causes

Published on 25 November 2025

Australia's most accessible beach FCN DEC.JPG

Frankston City Council has worked with the community to raise over $220,000 for the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach pilot and other causes across Frankston City.

Frankston City Mayor Cr Kris Bolam JP, who spearheaded the fundraising efforts, said he was amazed by the generosity of local organisations, and that the contributions reflect the community’s alignment to Council’s vision.

“Fundraising is more than raising money—it’s raising hope. It reflects the generosity and unity that define a healthy, thriving community. When people give freely, they show that the true wealth of a community lies in its people,” Mayor Bolam said.

“I am impressed by the breadth of support behind this initiative—nearly thirty organisations contributing in both monetary and in-kind ways, from service groups and charities to businesses and regional partners. This diversity of generosity reflects the compassion and shared commitment that make Frankston extraordinary.

“I’m deeply proud of my community.”

Just under $200,000 was raised by local businesses, community groups and service providers to support the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach pilot in Frankston next month.

The funding for the pilot, which is being delivered by Accessible Beaches Australia and supported by the Frankston Social Inclusion Action Group, combines both sponsorship and in-kind support, and will go towards equipment and the provision of support staff and trained volunteers.

Inspired by the renowned Handi- Plage program in Nice, France, Accessible Beaches Australia identified Frankston Beach as the ideal location to pilot this first-of-its-kind project in the country.

Working closely, Accessible Most Accessible Beach Advisory Committee, Frankston City Council and Accessible Beaches Australia developed a pilot program that enables people of all abilities – particularly those with disabilities and our ageing population – to enjoy the beach with ease and dignity.

The site, located between Frankson Pier and Kananook Creek, will include 70 meters of beach matting running across the beach and to the water’s edge, daybeds shaded by cool cabanas, four beach wheelchairs and two beach walkers, a hoist to support transfers between wheelchairs, and trained staff and volunteers to assist.

“This ambitious project would not have been possible without the support and expertise of sponsors and contributors,” said Councillor Nathan Butler, who chairs of the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach Advisory Committee.

“With more than 30,000 residents identifying as a person with a disability, it’s wonderful to see our community come together to ensure that anyone who wants it can enjoy our beautiful beach in its entirety.”

“The success of the fundraising campaign means that some of council’s own contribution for the first year of the pilot can he be held over for future years, giving this exciting initiative the best possible chance of becoming an ongoing feature of our summer.”

The Mayor also secured $20,000 in funding for the Frankston Charitable Fund, a charitable fund account of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

Established in 2009, it aims to raise much-needed funds to assist charitable organisations that operate in the Frankston community by encouraging tax-deductible donations that build up the Fund corpus in perpetuity. Each year the Fund is allocated a grants budget which is then made available to eligible charities in the form of grants.

Earlier this year six Frankston-based charities shared in $43,000 of funding through the Frankston Charitable Fund’s 2025 Community Connection Grants, ranging from Mums Supporting Families In Need to First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing.

“It is great to see the generosity of our local community with three different organisations recently providing a total $20,000 donation to the Frankston Charitable Fund.” said Abby Foster, Chair of the Frankston Charitable Fund.

“These donations will support local charities and community projects that lift our community for years to come, showing just how powerful community-minded giving can be.”

Any funding above the required amount for the accessible beach trial initiative, currently estimated at approximately $85,000, will be retained and considered by Council for future community-based initiatives.

For more information on the Frankston Charitable Fund’s Community Connection Grant visit Frankston Charitable Fund’s Community Connection Grant - Frankston City Council.

For more information on the Australia’s Most Accessible Beach project, including how to book, visit Accessible Beaches - Frankston City Council.

Community supports Frankston to raise over $220,000 for local causes

Australia’s Most Accessible Beach sponsors and contributors