Hepburn Energy and BREAZE partner up for regional electrification campaign
Hepburn Energy and BREAZE Inc have announced they are partnering up again to support communities across the Grampians Central West region to switch to cheaper electric appliances. Both organisations have decades of community outreach experience and have teamed up successfully in the past to co-deliver programs such as the Community Power Hub and various bulk buys.
Over the next 10 months, the organisations will deliver a community-led program increasing
local understanding of electrification pathways, benefits and incentives. This project is funded under the Community Electrification Engagement Program - a Sustainability Victoria program delivered on behalf of the Victorian Government.
The Region comprises the 11 local government areas of Ararat, Ballarat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool, Pyrenees, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack. It also spans the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Eastern Maar, Gunditjmara, Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri and Wotjobaluk (Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Jupagulk, Wergaia and Wotjobaluk) peoples.
The organisations will offer one-on-one support, up-skilling and training local home energy champions to share learnings within the community and offer a series of events. The project will also build awareness of all the pathways available to electrify and available financial and funding sources through Victorian Government incentives such as the SEC Electric Home Planner, Victorian Energy Upgrades Program and Solar Victoria rebates.
General Manager Taryn Lane stated:
“Both BREAZE and Hepburn Energy are here for the long term to support our communities and the broader region to transition, and it is wonderful to receive support from Sustainability Victoria to continue our work in electrification.”
BREAZE Inc President Peta Guy stated: “We are really excited to continue working with Hepburn Energy and Sustainability Victoria to help our communities to enjoy the significant opportunities to reduce cost of living, improve home comfort and do a little bit to ensure that there is a brighter future for the next generation. BREAZE and our Energy Champions have been able to help hundreds of community members to navigate the many Government and Industry offerings. Our Champions are on your side and are completely independent so you can be confident to make the right decisions for you and not just what someone else wants you to do."
Community members can register their interest in the following activities via this web form
● One-on-one electrification support
● Becoming a Home Energy Champion and helping to spread the electrification word
● Helping to promote the opportunities locally
● Attending online sessions such as information webinars
● Attending face to face events
● Sharing your ideas and aligned activities
Meet the locals who are electrifying their homes — and telling it exactly how it is.
Our video series Real People. Real Stories shines a light on everyday Ballarat households taking bold steps toward a cleaner, cheaper, all-electric future.
No scripts. No spin. Just honest conversations, practical insights, and a whole lot of heart.
Community Programs We Support
BREAZE Inc. is proud to auspice and support three hands-on sustainability initiatives in our region:
The Ballarat Tool Library – promoting sharing over ownership, so you can borrow tools instead of buying them.
The Repair Café – a monthly event where skilled volunteers help you fix household items, keeping them out of landfill.
Smart Living Ballarat – a free monthly talk series offering practical tips for sustainable living, hosted at the Sebastopol Library.
Each of these programs helps our community live more sustainably, reduce waste, and connect with others doing the same.
The Ballarat Tool Library is a volunteer-led initiative that provides access to the tools needed to repair and care for your home and belongings while saving you money from having to buy new tools you may only use once or twice. Click on the Ballarat Tool Library logo to learn more.
Need an item repaired or mended?
Don't toss it, fix it! 1 - 4pm last Saturday of the month at Barkly Square, Ballarat East. Click on the Ballarat Repair Cafe logo to learn more.Free monthly workshops sharing practical tips for sustainable living — from energy saving to eco-friendly habits. Powered by BREAZE. Click on the Smart Living Ballarat logo to learn more.
BREAZE at the Smart Living Expo 2025 - here to electrify everything
The full 30-minute interview with Tim Forcey at the Smart Living Expo, Buninyong, 23 Feb 2025
Here’s a link to the ABC news article on 4 March 2025 by Julie Bergin. Please note, this is not an endorsement or support by the ABC—just coverage of the current situation.
Here's a link to the ABC's Ballarat Breakfast broadcast from Tuesday, March 4. The story about BREAZE and the request to return funding begins at the 2-hour, 21-minute mark. Please note, this is not an endorsement or support by the ABC—just coverage of the current situation.
What Does BREAZE Do?
Meet BREAZE—Ballarat's dynamic force propelling us toward a sustainable future! Dedicated to achieving zero emissions by 2030, BREAZE empowers the community with practical solutions and innovative projects. Join BREAZE and be part of Ballarat's green transformation!
Local climate action.
BREAZE educates and supports the wider Ballarat community to work towards a goal of zero emissions by 2030.
We undertake advocacy, community education, and project management, to reduce our carbon footprint as well as supporting the installation and provision of renewable energy sources.
Become a member
We love members! By becoming a member of BREAZE you can join us in reducing emissions and living sustainably in Ballarat. The more members we have, the more influence we have in advocacy and environmental campaigns. Members automatically receive the BREAZE newsletter. We are a volunteer run organisation and your membership helps to fund our overhead costs so we can keep operating.
Please direct any queries to: membership@breaze.org.au
Make a donation
Every $1 donation to our Social Solar program funds 1 watt of renewable energy and more renewable energy means fewer emissions! How good is that? But One Dollar for One Watt equals even more.
Each time a combined total of $1,500 is donated BREAZE, we will install 1.5kW of solar panels on the roof of a social housing property. Depending on the size of the house, 3kW of solar panels may be needed, so BREAZE will do this when a combined total of $3,000 has been donated. (For those of you who watch the price of solar panels, you will know that 1 watt of solar costs a bit more than $1, but the shortfall will be made up with other money.). Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible
Donate online here or by Direct Deposit (insert bank details)
The BREAZE Public Fund is a public fund listed on the register of environmental organisations under item 6.1.1 of subsection 30-55(1) of the income tax assessment act 1997.
NEWS & RESOURCES
BREAZE is committed to working respectfully, inclusively and independently with and for the community to ensure a bright and sustainable future. BREAZE is a volunteer run organisation.
The privately expressed views of Breaze volunteers and members are their own and should not be attributed to BREAZE policy or positions.
BREAZE’s core objective is to help the Ballarat community achieve zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. What does zero emissions mean and what will it take to get us there? Also 2030 is only 5 years away. How far have we progressed on this journey and how close are we to achieving this target?