A new Felton Grant will help Epsom Primary School transform its grounds into a shared wellbeing space, highlighting how thoughtful outdoor design can strengthen learning and community.
At Epsom Primary School in regional Victoria, outdoor spaces are more than places to pass through between lessons. They are becoming places where wellbeing, culture and connection are intentionally brought together.
In early 2026, a new yarning circle will take shape on the school grounds, formed by durable outdoor seating and designed as a welcoming, inclusive gathering space for students, staff, families and the wider community. The project has been made possible through a Felton Grant, awarded as part of Felton Industries’ 2025 program recognising schools and community organisations that are reimagining their outdoor environments for long-term benefit.
For Epsom Primary School Principal Ms Julie Ladd, the grant represents more than an infrastructure upgrade. It is an opportunity to embed wellbeing and cultural connection into the everyday life of the school.
The seating installation will collectively form a dedicated yarning circle, providing a purpose-built space that supports conversation, reflection and learning. The project has been developed collaboratively, with input from staff, students, the school’s wellbeing team and the baring djuwima leaders – Epsom Primary School’s Young First Nations leaders – who play a key role in shaping culturally responsive spaces across the school.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition across Australian schools that outdoor environments can play a meaningful role in student wellbeing. Rather than being seen as incidental spaces, school grounds are increasingly being designed to foster inclusion, social connection and a sense of belonging.
Epsom Primary School is one of four organisations named as recipients of the 2025 Felton Grant, joining Camden Rugby Union Club in New South Wales, Mossman State High School in Queensland and St Norbert College in Western Australia.
Together, the recipients share in a total grant pool of $40,000, receiving Felton product credits to support projects that enhance outdoor spaces through high-quality, Australian-made furniture.
Now in its third year, the Felton Grant program continues to celebrate the power of outdoor spaces to connect people and strengthen communities. In 2025, the program expanded its reach, supporting even more organisations nationwide with practical, sustainable furniture solutions that promote accessibility, inclusivity and community wellbeing.
Felton Industries Marketing Manager Mr Drew Mackinnon said the growth of the program reflects both demand and creativity across the education and community sectors.
“Felton Industries is incredibly proud to see how the Felton Grant has grown into a valuable initiative that empowers communities to think creatively about their outdoor environments,” Mackinnon said. “The program provides access to durable, locally made products and encourages schools, sporting clubs and community organisations to reimagine what’s possible in their shared spaces”.
For schools like Epsom Primary, that creative reimagining is grounded in daily experience. Outdoor seating areas are not just places to sit, but spaces where students can regulate, connect with peers and engage in learning beyond the classroom walls. The yarning circle concept draws on cultural practices that value listening, shared storytelling and respectful dialogue, aligning with broader wellbeing and inclusion goals.
The collaborative nature of the Epsom project has also been central to its design. By involving students — particularly the baring djuwima leaders — alongside staff and wellbeing teams, the school has ensured the space reflects student voice and cultural understanding. The result is an outdoor environment designed not only for use, but for meaning.
Across the country, the 2025 Felton Grant recipients highlight how different communities are responding to their own local needs. While Epsom Primary’s focus is on wellbeing and connection, other projects centre on sport, shade and spectator facilities, all underpinned by a shared emphasis on durability and long-term value.
Common thread
At Mossman State High School in Far North Queensland, the grant will support the addition of a covered grandstand to recently refurbished outdoor multipurpose sports courts.
Deputy Principal Ms Mary-Anne Zahnow said the structure will provide much-needed shade for students during hot and sunny conditions, while also improving the experience for spectators during gala days with local primary schools.
In New South Wales, Camden Rugby Union Club is using its grant to expand spectator viewing capacity through portable grandstands. Club President Mr Toby Searle said the investment will help the club continue to host a wide range of local and regional events, improving experiences for players and the broader Camden community.
Meanwhile, in Western Australia, St Norbert College will apply its Felton Grant towards an all-weather structure and seating for new hard courts supporting the school’s specialised basketball program. Business Manager Mr Neil Grime said the improved facilities will benefit students, parents and the wider community, enhancing wellbeing and enjoyment through better sporting infrastructure.
While the projects differ in purpose and scale, the common thread is an understanding that outdoor spaces matter. Whether through sport, gathering or quiet conversation, well-designed environments can shape how students and communities interact with one another.
The 2025 Felton Grant was open for submissions from August to September, attracting hundreds of applications from schools and organisations across Australia. Applicants were assessed on creativity, practicality and their project’s potential to strengthen community connection through improved outdoor infrastructure.
For Felton Industries, the program aligns with a broader mission to give back to the communities that have supported the company for more than two decades. As Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of premium aluminium outdoor furniture, Felton works closely with schools, councils and community organisations to create spaces designed to endure.
Mr Mackinnon said each year’s grant recipients demonstrate how thoughtful design can translate into real-world impact.
“Each year, the Felton Grant brings to light the incredible creativity and care that schools and clubs invest in their communities,” he said. “It’s inspiring to see how these projects evolve beyond the initial vision to become lasting assets that foster connection and resilience”.
At Epsom Primary School, that long-term impact is already being imagined. When installation begins in early 2026, the yarning circle will offer a dedicated place for gathering, reflection and shared learning – a physical expression of the school’s commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and community.
As Principal Julie Ladd reflected, “The project will promote student wellbeing and strengthen community connection by offering an inclusive and accessible area for students, staff, families and community members to gather, learn and connect.”
Want more information?
Visit www.felton.net.au or call 1800 834 016.
