VicForests (VF): Are you a local, not-for-profit group in regional Victoria?

Kinglake Friends of the Forest (KFF): YES!

VF: Would you like a grant for up to $2000?

KFF: HELL YEAH!

VF: Well then, apply for a VicForests Community Support Program Grant!

KFF: WHAT? Oh, ok. What are the criteria?

VF: Well, we don't give money to individuals.

KFF: Fine.

VF: Nor do we give it to businesses.

KFF: Seems fair.

VF: Or to provide salaries or overseas travel.

KFF: Damn. Still ...

VF: Nor do we give it to community groups whose 'aims, objectives or beliefs are not in accord with VicForests' aims of contributing to a sustainable native forest industry'.

KFF: Crap. *tears up application*

Plenty of community organizations are eligible for these grants. Those groups who have received money range from sporting groups, CFA brigades, schools and historical societies. VicForests also supported a 'Family Fun Night' in Bonnie Doon earlier this year.

Some environmental groups have even taken the money. We're not in the least judgmental about this.

Really, we completely understand why these grants are a godsend to local community groups. (Our bank account is perpetually in double digits - less than VicForests' weekly croissant budget).

But to us, it feels wrong that you have to be pro-logging to get such grants. Or at least prepared to keep your mouth shut about it.

By taking the money, you also agree in writing that you will repay it if 'you have spoken or acted in a way that could damage our reputation...'

'... or bring us into disrepute'.

Another clause requires that 'all persons connected with you and your Event/Activity comply at all relevant times with the requirements of this Sponsorship Agreement'.

So I guess we're not going to Bonnie Doon.

This money is not from the 'forestry industry' as it is called on the website. It's from you.

This industry does not - cannot - exist independently of the Victorian government, which provides the feedstock (public forests) and subsidises the loss-making logging arm VicForests.

Basiically, the government is using your money to try and buy social licence for native forest logging.

Social licence is defined as when 'a project has ongoing approval within the local community and other stakeholders'.

This is something native forest logging does NOT have in the Central Highlands and Gippsland, where support is less than 20%

Applications for 2020 grants are yet to open, but I dunno - maybe your democratic right to express an opinion shouldn't be up for sale?

With your own money, no less.

In next week's mildly interesting thread: the Timber Harvesting Compliance Unit.

Rarely sighted in the wild, is it now extinct?