Lynne Kosky Memorial Grants: Supporting innovative applied learning in Victoria
Each year, up to 8 schools across Victoria receive $6,250 to deliver projects through the Lynne Kosky Memorial Applied Learning Grants, a tribute to former Minister for Education Lynne Kosky who was a champion of vocational and applied learning.
The grants recognise outstanding student-led initiatives that use applied learning to make a real-world impact in selected schools delivering the VCE Vocational Major (VM) or Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC).
Schools are selected for their creative and meaningful projects that connect learning with community, build practical skills, and empower students to lead the way. From sustainable construction to social enterprise, these initiatives highlight the power of hands-on learning in shaping confident, capable young people.
2025 grant recipients bringing their projects to life include:
Somerville Secondary College
Somerville Secondary College Year 12 VCE VM students are collaborating with the Somerville Tyabb Rotary Club to restore 18 garden benches for the Peninsula Health Palliative Care Unit.
Their grant is being used for materials and equipment that enable students to deconstruct, sand, clean, repair and repaint all 18 benches.
“Receiving the Lynne Kosky Memorial Grant has had an educational impact on our students by providing them hands-on learning opportunities such as woodwork, design, planning and budgeting, in a real-world context,” Jess Ballingall, Somerville Secondary College’s VCE VM Coordinator explained.
“This grant has enabled us to offer a robust, student-led community project that integrates personal development, teamwork, and problem-solving, whilst enhancing students’ community relationships.”
Ascot Vale Heights School
Ascot Vale Heights School used the grant to support their students to design and create a new sensory garden. The garden includes tactile plants, aromatic herbs, colourful flowers, and sensory pathways to stimulate sight, touch, smell, and sound.
“Life for people with intellectual disabilities is often frustrating, and overwhelming,” Learning Centre Leader, Brad Gleeson said.
Education Support, Lachlan Peachey said “The grant has allowed us to provide a much higher quality sensory garden and therefore learning environment for our students … allow[ing] them to process and regulate their emotions.”
“The student work in developing the sensory garden has [also] been integrated into a job-ready program and our hope is that this helps them gain the confidence to enter the workforce and shape their own fulfilling, adult life.”
The Lynne Kosky Memorial Applied Learning Grants gives students the chance to step up, take ownership and see their ideas come to life – often for the very first time. For schools, it’s more than just funding – the grants celebrate the value of applied learning and the immense potential of students choosing applied pathways.
Whether it’s growing confidence, sparking new levels of engagement or strengthening connections with the wider community, the impact is already being felt – and it’s just the beginning.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Lynne Kosky Memorial Applied Learning Grants.