HEPBURN Shire Council will help Clunes Bowling Club lodge a fresh grant application after the State Government rejected a plea to stop the club's green from falling into a creek.

The club's main green is sinking into nearby Creswicks Creek and only five of the six rinks can be used, which means players are missing out on games.

The club applied for a grant to fix the problem through the Department of Sport and Recreation last year but was knocked back because the application "didn't fit the department's criteria".

Club president Alan Baird said the club was extremely disappointed to learn its application failed.

"We must be doing something wrong in our application forms.

"And if that's the case it would have been nice to have been told.

"They gave us every indication everything would be okay," Mr Baird said.

Bowling clubs across the state have been successful in gaining funding to maintain greens over the past five years.

Bowling club member and Clunes Football Club president Arno Van Berkel said Clunes was often forgotten when it came to receiving grants from all levels of government.

"We've noticed all sporting clubs in Clunes have never been given government grants, while other towns seem to be getting them all the time.

"We'd like some help to make sure we get the assistance to keep the sporting facilities in town going," Mr Van Berkel said.

Hepburn Shire Council Cameron ward councillor Tim Hayes has called on shire tourism and development officer Geoff Ryan to make sure the club had the best chance with its next funding application.