Ideas Incubator: Session 2, The Story
2026-04-23 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Lilydale Civic Centre, 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, Victoria, 3140, Australia
About this workshop
The Story is a guided workshop – and session 2 of the Ideas Incubator program – led by a professional creative facilitator, helping participants turn an idea into a clear, compelling and structured project narrative. You’ll explore the “what, why, when, where and who,” learn about different funding pathways (local, state and federal), and understand how to communicate your project with confidence and clarity.
This session is ideal for creatives who’ve moved beyond the spark idea and want help planning and communicating their project.

About your facilitator
DMP is a creative consultancy committed to supporting individuals, businesses and organisations to realise their vision and goals. Debby Maziarz (lead facilitator) supports the quality and viability of the arts, not for profit and local business sectors through the provision of business development and fundraising advice, strategic planning, leadership development, facilitation and capacity building training. Debby comes to consulting with significant experience as an educator, youth worker, business mentor and founder of the not-for-profit organisation Westside Circus.

About the program
Ideas Incubator is a free and in-person, well-rounded creative development journey designed to help creatives bring their project ideas to life. It offers practical tools, peer exchange and guidance to support artists from early ideas through project delivery and longer‑term sustainability – while recognising that every project takes its own path. You’re welcome to travel through the whole journey or join us midway, choosing whichever sessions best support your creative practice.

For more information, contact skillsbuilding@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or culturaldevelopment@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Knox City Council - Grant Writing Workshop
2026-05-06 18:30 - 21:00 | Knox City Council – Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South, VIC, 3152, Australia
This fun and hands-on workshop is designed to help you develop your ideas into strong, fundable proposals. You’ll be guided through each stage of the grantmaking process, from identifying funding sources to answering application questions and understanding the grantmaking cycle. There will be a focus on Knox’s Community Development Fund.
Learning outcomes:

Write a killer 50-word grab
Understand assessment criteria of a grant
Ability to build a project budget
Ideas for working with partners

Brimbank City Council - Sustaining your Arts Practice: Getting Started | INfuse Artist Networking Workshop
2026-05-12 10:00 - 12:30 | Hunt Club Community & Arts Centre, 775 Ballarat Road, Deer Park, Victoria, 3023, Australia
This practical and interactive workshop supports creatives who are starting out or restarting their arts practice. Together we explore the nuts and bolts of building momentum and putting strong foundations in place.
Topics include:

The nuts and bolts of getting started or restarted
Developing sustainable systems and processes
Exploring and refining your business model
Writing a clear and compelling mission statement

Through guided exercises and discussion, participants will leave with tangible tools, clearer direction, and practical next steps.
Presented as part of INfuse, which connects our creative community through workshops, artist talks and presentations, providing training and inspiration for artists.
About the Facilitator
Debby Maziarz is a community development practitioner and creative entrepreneur. She mentors artists, organizations, and communities to develop strategic plans for funding their work. Known for identifying innovative and ‘fundable’ ideas, Debby has a strong track record in securing grants and building community capacity.

Yarra Ranges Council - Skills Building Workshop: Steps to Grant Success
2026-05-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Lilydale Civic Centre, 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, Victoria, 3140, Australia
About the Facilitator
Debby Maziarz is a community development practitioner and creative entrepreneur who mentors artists, organisations, and communities to create solid plans for resourcing their work. Renowned for unearthing innovative and ‘fundable’ ideas, Debby is driven to build the capacity of communities to get their important work done. She’s also got a great track record in sourcing funds – including founding Melbourne’s Westside Circus and Debby Maziarz Productions

When: Thursday, 28th May, 6PM to 9.00PM (includes an optional 30 minutes of networking at the end from 8.30PM). Light refreshments provided.
Where: Civic Centre 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale (Conference Room A)

Accessibility and Transport:

Closest bus stops

Maroondah Hwy/Anderson St: Serviced by various routes including the 685 and 683 and others traveling along the highway.
Lilydale Station/West William St: Major hub (routes 683, 685, 686, 687, 688)

Closest train station is Lilydale Train Station, with a 10–15-minute walk to the civic centre
Unrestricted and accessible parking is available onsite to the back of the civic centre. Please be mindful of parking signs
Conference Room B is located to the left of the main entrance to the civic centre, towards the end of the corridor.
Unrestricted and accessible parking is available onsite

Banyule City Council - Grant project planning workshop
2026-06-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, 275 Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe, VIC, 3079
Have a great idea but not sure what to do next? Whether you are passionate about the arts, community or the environment, this fun and interactive workshop will help you take the next step.
With expert guidance from experienced facilitator and grant writer Debby Maziarz, you will explore practical tips, tools and principles to shape your idea into a well-developed and fundable project.
Brainstorm, connect and get inspired as you build a solid plan and new networks. This workshop is ideal for anyone with an idea at any stage of development.
What to expect

Shifting from an idea to a project.
Understanding the project life cycle.
Working through the project planning tool.
Understanding what resources you have and need.
Tips and tricks for managing your project.

About the facilitator
Debby Maziarz is a community development worker and creative entrepreneur who mentors artists, organisations and communities to create solid plans for resourcing their work. Renowned for unearthing innovative and fundable ideas, Maziarz is driven to build the capacity of communities to get their important work done.
Things to know

This training is for adults aged 18+.
Please bring a reusable drink bottle and pen and paper.
We will be serving a light dinner.

When

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 | 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM

Location
Parking is available at ILCH. Venue is a 5-minute walk from Ivanhoe Train Station. The 510 and 548 bus routes stop at the venue.
Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, 275 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe, 3095

Nillumbik Shire Council - Creative Industries 2026 Networking Event: From Practice to Portfolio: The Art of Business
2026-06-18 17:30 - 20:30 | Banyule City Council, Level 4, I Flintoff St, Greensborough, VIC, 3081, Australia
From Practice to Portfolio: The Art of Business
The Economic Development and Arts & Culture teams at Banyule City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council invite you to join fellow creatives and industry peers for an inspiring conversation about building sustainable creative careers.
This panel event will explore how artistic practice can translate into real-world opportunities, diversified income streams and long-term viability—without losing sight of individual creative identity. Designed for creatives across disciplines, the discussion will delve into the practical realities of balancing passion with sustainability.
Hear from local artists Clare Dunstan, Pia Nesvara and Fleassy Malay as they share candid, real-world experiences of expanding beyond a single revenue source. The panellists will discuss how they apply creative flair alongside strategic, business-minded thinking, addressing questions such as: How do you maintain creative integrity while navigating commercial realities? And how do you identify business opportunities that genuinely align with your creative strengths?
The conversation will be expertly facilitated by Debby Maziarz, who brings deep experience in shaping “fundable” ideas and creative entrepreneurship. Together, the panel will unpack the many facets of the art of business.
Following the discussion, stay to connect with peers over light refreshments, with special live music from Pia to close the evening.
Debby Maziarz – Moderator

Debby Maziarz (she/her) is a Naarm based community development practitioner and creative entrepreneur.
She mentors artists and organisations to develop strong plans for resourcing their work and creative practice.
Known for identifying innovative and ‘fundable’ ideas, Debby has a strong track record in securing funds and building value-based strategic partnerships.
She founded the Westside Circus, a social circus for young people and DMP, an arts leadership practice based in Nillumbik.

Clare Dunstan – Panellist

Clare Dunstan is a local illustrator and artist working primarily in watercolour and mixed media.
Her work explores storytelling through animals, nature, and the quiet joys found in everyday life.
She runs the small creative studio Tog & Pini, producing original artworks, prints, and illustrated products, and enjoys sharing her love of art through workshops and community arts initiatives.
Clare illustrated the children’s book Michael the Volcano Engineer (Brave Brain Books, 2024) and hopes to complete her own picture books in the near future.

Fleassy Malay – Panellist

Two times TEDx speaker, award winning poet and multidisciplinary artist, Fleassy Malay, is an internationally renowned, evocative and powerful spoken word artist, speaker and educator.
They are a global advocate for Women’s and LGBTQI+ rights and a fierce voice for the power of authenticity and courage as a social change tool.
Fleassy is the founder of Melbourne’s acclaimed NFP organisation and women’s spoken word event, Mother Tongue Poetry.
Winner of the Reciter of the year 2022 National Folk Festival Prize they also represented Melbourne at Slamovision in Dublin Unesco City of Literature in 2025 coming 5th place globally.
Fleassy was also on the first slam team to represent Australia in the National Poetry Slam USA in 2017.
Pia Nesvara – Panellist

Pia Nesvara is a Chilean-Australian multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and creative based in Melbourne. Blending folk, soul, Latin, and jazz influences, her music pairs gutsy vocals with bold lyricism, exploring themes of resilience, healing, and cultural identity.
A self-taught artist who began busking in the Dandenong Ranges, she has since performed nationally, including at the National Folk Festival, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, and Queenscliff Music Festival.
Beyond her original work, Pia has built a diverse creative career across session work, weddings and cover gigs, teaching, mentoring, children’s music, and jingle writing. She also facilitates femme-led jam spaces and supports participants through NDIS music programs.
Her work extends into community and event production, including running open mics, booking events, and co-managing markets and festivals. Pia’s career reflects a deep commitment to creating sustainable, multifaceted pathways as an artist—and she will also be performing on the night!

Join us as we explore as we explore the Art of Business
Light refreshments will be served from 5.30pm.
The event is proudly partnered by the Economic Development and Arts & Culture teams of Nillumbik Shire Council and Banyule City Council.

Brimbank City Council - Grant Writing for Creatives | INfuse Artist Networking Workshop
2026-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Sunshine Library, 301 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine, VIC, 3020
Want to apply for a creative grant but not sure where to start?
Join our INfuse network for a Grant Writing for Creatives workshop led by Debby Maziarz. Learn how to craft a strong funding application and navigate the grant process with practical tools and expert guidance.
Gain essential skills and insights from an experienced grant writer. This workshop covers:

Finding funding opportunities
Crafting a compelling 50-word grab
Understanding the grant cycle & assessment criteria
Building partnerships
Answering key application questions
Developing a project budget

The workshop will also reference the Art Spaces Activation Partnership Funding Grant
Presented as part of INfuse, which connects our creative community through workshops, artist talks and presentations, providing training and inspiration for artists.
About the Facilitator
Debby Maziarz is a community development practitioner and creative entrepreneur. She mentors artists, organizations, and communities to develop strategic plans for funding their work. Known for identifying innovative and ‘fundable’ ideas, Debby has a strong track record in securing grants and building community capacity.
