Lockington, Victoria
Building connections through community action
Population: 850 people
Key industry: Dairy farming and irrigated agriculture
Lockington sits within a productive irrigated agricultural region, with dairy farming the core activity. Historically, irrigation also supported orcharding and fruit growing, before dairying became the dominant agricultural activity.
Distance to the nearest capital city: Approximately 198 km north of Melbourne
Quick fact: When Lockington's local pub was at risk of closing, 98 locals came together, each contributing $5,000 to keep this much-loved community hub alive.
Summary
In Lockington, progress came from a community working together across a range of projects.
With support from Rural Aid, local volunteers, clubs and organisations delivered improvements to community facilities, sporting clubs and public spaces, including a walking track connecting Lockington and nearby Kotta along the path of the old railway line.
The project created practical improvements while giving local volunteers additional support and helping strengthen community connection.
Assets
- Existing walking trails and open spaces
- A highly proactive, community-led mindset
- Extensive sporting and recreation facilities
- Active local clubs and community groups
- Community-owned services and enterprises
- Affordable housing and available land
- Rich farming heritage and local history
Challenges
- Static population growth
- Attracting and retaining young people
- Limited visitor attractions and infrastructure
- Limited local employment opportunities
- Ageing volunteer base
- Limited recreation and cultural opportunities
- Dependence on agriculture
- Climate and water security pressures
Goals
- Grow the local population and economy
- Expand lifestyle and recreation opportunities
- Strengthen community connection and participation
- Attract more visitors to the district
- Create opportunities for young people
- Support local business development
- Preserve local heritage and identity
- Enhance community facilities and assets
More about this project
How did they do it?
Local volunteers and organisations worked alongside Rural Aid volunteers to deliver practical improvements across the town.
The walking track became a major focus, with bridges installed and further plans developed for events and recreational spaces.
Other works included concreting paths, painting, repairs, maintenance and upgrades across community buildings and sporting facilities.
Why did they do it?
The community wanted to improve the places that bring people together and create opportunities for people to be active, connected and involved.
The walking track also provided an opportunity to turn an existing corridor into a lasting community asset linking Lockington and Kotta.
What changed as a result?
The walking track is now being regularly used, with plans for events such as fun runs.
Upgrades to community facilities have contributed to increased participation, including at the bowling club, while improvements across sporting clubs and shared spaces have made it easier for local groups to continue their activities.
The involvement of Rural Aid volunteers also delivered an important, less tangible outcome: a morale boost for local volunteers. As the community described it, having additional people working alongside them made a real difference.
The next stage of the vision includes further development of the walking track, picnic areas, events and recreational opportunities.
Their advice for other communities
Engage your community early and make the most of volunteer support.
Being organised, open to ideas and willing to work together can help communities maximise what they are able to achieve and create outcomes that last.
