The Little Village Project is set to expand across the Latrobe Valley and help more children thrive following the renewal of a major partnership between Kindred Spirits Enterprises (KSE) and AGL Loy Yang.
The Little Village Project (TLVP) was launched in 2019 and is a grassroots initiative designed to remove the barriers that prevent children from engaging in their education and staying connected to school.
Building on early community support, a one-off grant from AGL in 2022 grew into one of TLVP’s most significant and enduring partnerships, providing the spark that allowed the project to reach all four public primary schools in Traralgon. With the renewal of the AGL-KSE partnership this year, the project will expand to schools across the Latrobe Valley from 2026, helping ensure children facing disadvantage have access to the support they need to thrive at school and beyond.
“AGL Loy Yang’s support has been about more than money,” TLVP Founder Ben Tunks said.
“They’ve invested their belief, their encouragement and their time into our vision. That kind of backing has given us the confidence and capacity to create real change for children who need it most.”
For many families, support can be difficult to access. Whether due to long waiting lists, the cost of services or limited local availability. TLVP helps schools cut through these barriers by providing rapid access to evidence-based therapies and assessments, ensuring children get the right help at the right time.
AGL Loy Yang’s involvement has gone far beyond financial support, from helping raise awareness through community campaigns, to promoting TLVP at local events, to showing up as active supporters of fundraising efforts. Their consistent encouragement has played a vital role in helping TLVP grow and reach more children in need.
“This is a powerful investment in our community’s children,” Ben said.
“It means that when schools identify children in need of timely assessments, therapies, or support, TLVP can respond quickly and break down barriers that might otherwise hold those kids back.”
For TLVP, the partnership represents more than stability, it reflects a shared belief in the potential of every child and the strength of community-led solutions.
“At AGL Loy Yang, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of local families. The Little Village Project has already shown the power of community-led support in Traralgon, and we’re proud to help expand its reach across the broader Latrobe City. By backing programs like this, we can ensure more children have access to the care and opportunities they need to thrive.” said Christo van Niekerk, General Manager AGL Loy Yang.
Since 2019, the project has provided more than 844 supports and interventions for 234 students across Gippsland, from speech therapy and counselling to cognitive assessments.
The project is made possible by Kindred Spirits Enterprises and is proudly supported by AGL Loy Yang, the Latrobe Health Assembly, Community Bank Trafalgar & District, TRFM and Gold 1242, and the Keith Chenhall Charitable Trust.
Founded by philanthropist Rhonda Renwick OAM, KSE exists to support community-led ideas that create lasting social change. Guided by her vision for collaboration and inclusion, KSE was the first to back Ben when he launched TLVP. With KSE’s support and auspicing in place, AGL Loy Yang then came on board in 2022 as one of the project’s first major funding partners.
For more information, visit kindredspirits.org.au or www.thelittlevillageproject.org.au
