About the project

The Little Village Project is a community-led initiative auspiced by Kindred Spirits Enterprises (KSE) that supports vulnerable children in the Latrobe Valley. Founded by youth worker and counsellor Ben Tunks in 2019, the project supports primary schools by raising funds to provide timely, evidenced-based interventions to help their disadvantaged students flourish.
Under the guidance of KSE and a dedicated advisory group, the project funded its first intervention at Stockdale Road in 2020 and expanded to Grey Street and Tanjil South primary schools in 2023. Kosciuszko Street Primary School became the fourth expansion school in 2024 and Liddiard Road primary joined soon after. In four years, the project has supported more than 100 students by offering a range of services, including mental health care, speech and occupational therapy, and sensory support.
These supports help eliminate barriers that are holding students back from engaging with their learning. The community-funded interventions enable the students to actively participate in classes and other activities, ultimately fostering a brighter and more promising future for each child.
Project locations
Reports
Project timeline
The Little Village Project founder Ben Tunks forms a partnership with not-for-profit Kindred Spirits Enterprises to become the official auspice organisation for the project.
A dedicated group of community leaders form the Advisory Group. They are responsible for approving funding requests and advising on project direction.
Stockdale Road Primary Schools becomes the first school to join The Little Village Project.
Thanks to the Gippsland Regional Executive Forum, businesses from across Gippsland begin supporting the LVP and help fund the first health assessments and supports at Stockdale Road PS.
The Latrobe Health Assembly enters into a three-year agreement to support the expansion of The Little Village Project.
Grey Street Primary School in Traralgon joins The Little Village Project.
Energy provider AGL Loy Yang enters into a three-year agreement with The Little Village Project.
Carrajung Estate Winery hosts the first The Little Village Project community fundraiser, helping to create awareness and raise much-needed funds.
Tanjil South Primary School becomes the third Little Village Project partner school.
Thanks to additional support from the Latrobe Health Assembly, Kindred Spirits Enterprises appoints Ben Tunks as the LVP Project Lead.
Kosciuszko Street Primary School in Traralgon becomes the fourth project partner school.
The Latrobe Health Assembly supports Kindred Spirits Enterprises to appoint Meggetto Consulting to conduct a three-year evaluation of The Little Village Project.